Heart Month at Transplant House

Guests Renee (caregiver to her spouse) and Lisa (awaiting a double lung transplant) show off their henna tattoos courtesy of volunteers from Case Western Reserve University's Henna Art Collective organized by Volunteer Deb Nash.

The transplant journey is unique for every family, filled with moments of both challenge and hope. As many of our guest families express, until you are faced with that journey yourself its impossible to fully understand how it feels to travel far from home for life-saving medical care for yourself or for a loved one.

While each story is unique, there are aspects of the transplant journey that our guests share in common. One is the importance of having others around you who understand what you are going through. For many, the comfort of knowing they are not alone, that there are others walking similar paths, sharing similar fears, and offering encouragement, is a source of strength during a challenging time.

Throughout February, guests at the House have continued to benefit from the community they find here. Heart Month at the House became a celebration not just of heart health, but of the importance of providing support that surrounds every family in our care. Volunteers, board members, and staff came together to provide comfort and compassion, ensuring that families receive the emotional and social support they need at every stage of the journey.

As we look to the months ahead, we remain committed to providing patients and caregivers with a space where they can lean on one another, find solace in shared experiences, and have a caring community that will help them to face the challenges ahead. Whether it’s through a kind word from a volunteer, a meal shared with a fellow guest, or the caring presence of our staff, we we can make their journey just a little bit easier.

9th Annual Chili Cook-off

House guests Wayne and Kelly sample this year's chili recipes!

It was a party at the House earlier this week as we hosted our 9th Annual Chili Cook-off! Each year, Board Member and Volunteer Candice Monroe celebrates the anniversary of her own heart transplant with a bit of friendly — and delicious! — competition. This year marks 23 years since Candice's transplant at age 15.

We had six contestants this year, including the reigning champ and fellow Board Member Chris Van Ausdale, who handed over the coveted Chili Bowl trophy to this year's winner, Candice's mom Francine!

This evening is about so much more than the competition. We love having staff, volunteers, board members, and community recipients gather with our guests for a warm, home-cooked meal. We are grateful to Candice for creating and sustaining this wonderful tradition for our community to enjoy year after year.

See More Photos!

Meet K Nacion

Assistant Operations Manager of Guest and Volunteer Services

With over 15 years of diverse experience spanning the Private, Public, and Non-Profit sectors, I bring a rich blend of expertise, a strategic and people-focused professional with a successful history in client service management and partnership sustainability. Through these diverse experiences, my mission has always been to contribute positively to the community by leveraging purposeful connections, leadership, and compassion. I remain committed to making a meaningful difference and inspiring others to engage and be active participants. My philosophy centers on prioritizing people, cultivating relationships and embodying servant leadership. Family and company culture are my foundational principles. I'm an avid foodie, dedicated yogi, enthusiastic traveler, and always a big kid at heart.

Call for Volunteers

Volunteer for the A Second Dance at Life Gala Silent Auction and Raffle Committee!

We're seeking passionate volunteers to join our team of "Go Getters" and help us procure raffle and silent auction items for our upcoming A Second Dance at Life Gala — a vital part of the evening's fundraising efforts. Whether you're reaching out to local businesses or turning to your own connections, every item donated helps us raise crucial funds for our mission. The initial meeting of the committee will be in early March.

Save the Date

8th Annual 5K Run/1 Mile Walk

Sunday, June 8th at Transplant House

Sponsorship opportunities available!

We are excited to announce our 8th Annual 5K Run/1 Mile Walk! With your help we can raise $45,000 that will enable us to continue providing vital support resources, affordable accommodations, and a caring community to patients and caregivers. Whether you will be in Cleveland on June 8th or not, you can still be part of the fun by registering as a Virtual Participant. Secure your spot at the starting line today!

Registration is open!

A Second Dance at Life Gala

Sponsorship opportunities available!

We are excited to announce that the Second Dance at Life Gala is returning October 25, 2025! Join us at the Arielle LaSalle Theater in Cleveland for a night of celebration and fundraising for the Transplant House of Cleveland. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details. We can’t wait to see you there!

Learn More & View Photos from 2024's Gala

Happenings Around the House

Visit from Cleveland Clinic Transplant Center Quality Team

Thank you to Sheila, Rose, Kiara, Patrice, Tracy, Theresa, Lauren, and Adriane from the Quality Team at Cleveland Clinic's Transplant Center for their visit and for donating handmade cookies for our guests to celebrate Valentine's Day! We were delighted to spend some time meeting the team and sharing with them about how we care for transplant families during their time in Cleveland.

We are appreciative of their kindness and of the work that they do every day as part of the Transplant Center.

Valentine's Day at Transplant House

We felt the love at Transplant House of Cleveland this month! Thank you to the National Council of Jewish Women Cleveland section for their generous donation of Valentine's Day bags stuffed with goodies and a note of encouragement and support to each of our 25 guest families. They brought smiles to many faces here at the House.

Holidays and special occasions can be hard for patients and caregivers when they are far from home and amid a difficult journey. The transplant journey can be a lonely experience — and this is felt even more at holiday times. We are so grateful to the women of NCJW/C for making our guests feel supported, cared for, and seen while on the transplant journey.

Donor Day

Every February 14th is National Donor Day, a yearly observance to promote organ donation and the life-saving gift that saying "yes" to becoming an organ donor makes possible.

This year at the House we had help celebrating the day from local liver recipient Tammy Schimpf and her husband and caregiver Bill who made and donated a Donor Day wreath to the House!

More Happenings around the House

So far in 2025, Your Support Has Made Possible...

Ring that Bell!

Ring that bell! Bob and Thora came to Cleveland from their home in eastern Kentucky five months ago. Bob, who had an LVAD was hoping for a heart transplant. Married for 46 years, Thora's time at the House while Bob was in the hospital was her first time living on her own. Surrounded by a community of fellow caregivers and patients, Thora felt supported while Bob waited for, and recovered from, a heart and kidney transplant. Today they're heading home! We are grateful we could be part of their transplant journey.

If you are not already a registered organ donor, please consider becoming one today.

Transplant Anniversaries

1/3/2013 - Jennifer Ackerman

1/10/2010 - Joanmarie Button

1/10/2020 - Derek Sleman

1/15/2020 - Johnathan Cain

1/21/2019 - Ken Vogelsong

1/21/2021 - Paul Bass

1/21/2021 - Doug Bass

1/22/2022 - Julio Zavala

1/27/2016 - Karen Scheidel

1/31/2017 - Donna Kovacs

2/7/2002 - Candice Monroe

2/7/2022 - Bruce Bradshaw

2/7/2022 - Tara Prouty

2/7/2022 - Noland Williams

2/17/2021 - Mark Wilkins

2/19/2017 - Melissa (Kelly) Hopewell

2/15/2023 - Karen Klos

3/1/2015 - Robert Truslow

3/5/2022 - Randy Cooke

3/8/2014 - Ron Shortridge

3/12/2021 - Jim Fortuna

3/18/2002 - Joyce Merkel

3/18/2019 - Michael Adams

3/28/2001 - Louis Seidensticker

3/31/2017 - John Hurd

4/2/2022 - Pam Fidler

4/3/2022 - Jane Mahoney

4/6/2021 - Brian Holmes

4/10/2021 - Bob Bruno

4/13/2015 - Matthew Miller

4/17/2022 - Alan Flanigan

4/18/2022 - Alan Flanigan

4/21/2019 - David Samons

4/22/2021 - Paul Priebe

5/4/2019 - Jim Krebs

5/10/2011 - Darrell Pauley

5/13/2021 - Lynn Berotti

5/14/2021 - Michael Heileman

5/17/2018 - Mark Wells

5/17/2021 - Elizabeth Turner

5/19/2021 - Vito Suppa

5/21/2021 - Angela Easter

5/22/2021 - Linda Uehlein

5/30/2017 - Julie Magnini

6/1/2001 - Paul Zaborowicz

6/4/2015 - Ferman Milster

6/7/2021 - Denny Felver

6/7/2021 - Aidan Yamashita

6/7/2021 - Denny Felver

6/7/2021 - Aidan Yamashita

6/10/2004 - Pat Summers

6/16/2021 - Keith Young

7/15/2017 - Bob Weller

7/16/2004 - Jennifer Smith

7/17/2021 - Chris Pemberton

7/18/2021 - Chris Pemberton

7/28/2020 - Tim Krebs

8/11/2022 - Richard Gibson

8/23/2011 - Jerry Wichtel

9/2023 - Mark Hall

9/2023 - Robbie Parks

9/2023 - Denny Fox

9/2/2023 - Jane Williams

9/4/2020 - Jack Goltz

9/10/2021 - Dennis Hall

9/16/2016 - Jim Bagent

9/17/2014 - Jane Williams

9/20/2020 - Kathryn Edmond

9/24/2021 - Gene McNamara

9/25/2020 - Steve Brill

9/26/2000 - Bob Weller

9/27/2011 - Michael Hall

9/27/2018 - Karen Obermayer

10/2/2019 - Tammy Blair

10/4/2001 - Alan Flanigan

10/6/2020 - Maria Szarpa

10/6/2015 - Tonya Blalock

10/8/2023 - Alan Maas

10/10/2019 - Darlene Forsythe

10/11/2023 - David Stay

10/17/2021 - Joe Buchanan

10/18/2021 - Dale Heltzel

10/19/2021 - Dale Heltzel

10/22/2014 - Josh Hahn

10/22/2014 - Hartley Hutchins

10/22/2021 - Tom Pitts

10/26/2021 - Chelsea Vining

10/27/2017 - Mike Komula

10/28/2022 - Jamie Phillips

10/31/2020 - Richard Sell

11/4/2019 - Vicki Posner

11/5/2019 - Gary Prince

11/11/2015 - Kati Kaup Gregory

11/14/2022 - Jim Dariano

11/17/2006 - Leonard Snell

11/19/2014 - Macy Szucs

11/19/2021 - Brandon Troyer

11/22/2020 - Tyler Carroll

11/23/2018 - Fran Peach

12/8/2019 - Ron Castina

12/8/2020 - Jeffrey Eckerd

12/2/2012 - Randy Oyaski

12/10/2014 - Danny Burns

12/10/2016 - John Fetters

12/14/2022 - Martin Riessen

12/18/2023 - Jayme Dean

12/21/2023 - Mark Hatch

We want to help celebrate transplant anniversaries!

To add an anniversary to this list please respond to this email.

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Benson checking out the amazing Valentine gift baskets for our guests from the National Council of Jewish Women Cleveland Section.

Thank you to all our 2024 A Second Dance at Life Sponsors