Summer Greetings from Transplant House

As we welcome a new season, we also continue to welcome transplant families from all over the United States and internationally. Whether they need a place to call home for only a few days or for many months, they are invited to become part of a caring community that supports their emotional and financial needs at every stage of the transplant journey.

For some, that may mean gathering with fellow patients and caregivers for one of our weekly meals, or decompressing with a quiet moment on their apartment's porch. For others it could be connecting with our Transplant Social Worker, Annette, to find ways to help ease financial costs. Or, it might be stopping in the community space for some quality time with Benson.

"Home" can mean many different things and the need may change depending on a family's circumstances, but we strive to ensure guests feel supported, heard, and cared for during a challenging medical journey.

Meet Mike & Elfie

Michael and Elfie Finn-Mckenzie’s journey to a double lung transplant for Michael began in 2017 when they took a trip to Italy. Before they left, Michael had symptoms of what they both thought was a cold. Cleared by his doctor, they left for Europe as planned, but by their second day in Italy, Elfie was concerned about her husband’s health.

“I just didn’t like the way he looked,” she says. “So, we went to an English-speaking doctor, and he said Michael needed to be in a hospital now.”

Read their story

Are you a current or former guest of Transplant House? We'd love to share your story! Tell your story here.

Over $43,000 raised for Transplant House!

What an incredible morning! Our 7th Annual 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk was our best attended ever! Over 400 registrants joined in the fun.

We loved seeing everyone gather on the lawn, catch up with old friends, and make some new ones. Whether you are a long-time friend of the House or a first time participant, thank you for helping us provide affordable, temporary housing and a welcoming community to organ transplant patients and their families who are in the midst of a challenging medical journey.

We're already looking forward to our 8th Annual 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk on Sunday, June 8, 2025! For the first time ever, next year's race will include a kid's race on our front lawn. We hope to see you at the starting line in 2025!

See photos from the event

Thank you to Roger Mastroianni of Roger Mastroianni Photography

for taking photos at our event.

Save the Dates

National Minority Donor Awareness Month Gathering

August 7th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Warrensville Heights Branch of the Cuyahoga County Library

Enjoy appetizers, live music, and presentations from speakers sharing personal stories, health disparities, added risk for minority communities, and common misconceptions about organ donation and transplantation.

Attendance is FREE. Click here to RSVP and learn more!

Transplant House Remembrance Ceremony

September 14th at Transplant House of Cleveland

Transplant House of Cleveland is hosting a nondenominational remembrance ceremony to honor guests and any affiliated transplant patients who are no longer with us. All are welcome to join us in honoring these special people.

Attendance is FREE. More details coming soon!

Happenings Around the House

Summer Volunteer Program

June 3rd - August 2nd

Transplant House of Cleveland is looking for high school students age 14+ to come help us out this summer. Students will have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of nonprofit management and operations.

Learn more!

Thank you Joel and Rochelle Marx!

A BIG Transplant House thank you to Joel, Rochelle, their family, and their friends for generously donating a large collection of items from our Wish List! These household goods help us to serve the needs of transplant families and make this House a comfortable home-away-from-home for those traveling to Cleveland for medical care.

More happenings around the House

Volunteers: Providing a Taste of Home

Our meal volunteers are a big reason why our guests find Transplant House a welcoming, home-away-from-home while staying in Cleveland for life-saving medical care. The Wednesday dinners are the perfect volunteer activity for a group and we have a need for meal volunteers at the end of August!

Ring that Bell!

John and Kim Girard came to Cleveland nearly three months ago so John could receive a life-saving lung transplant. After 77 days in Cleveland, John and Kim are going home to New York! We are grateful to be able to celebrate this milestone on their transplant journey and to hold in our hearts the donor and donor's family who made John's gift of a second chance at life possible.

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

4/10/2021 - 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

6/20/2018 - Daniel Ross

7/3/2010 - Sharon Strong

7/15/2017 - Bob Weller

7/16/2004 - Jennifer Smith

7/28/2020 - Tim Krebs

8/11/2022 - Richard Gibson

8/23/2011 - Jerry Wichtel

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

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

11/19/2014 - Macy Szucs

11/19/2021 - Brandon Troyer

11/22/2020 - Tyler Carroll

11/23/2018 - Fran Peach

12/8/2019 - Ron Castina

12/2/2012 - Randy Oyaski

12/10/2014 - Danny Burns

12/10/2016 - John Fetters

12/14/2022 - Martin Riessen

12/21/2023 - Mark Hatch

We want to help celebrate transplant anniversaries!

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

DONATE

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