Spring/Summer 2023 Newsletter by giftoflifetransplant

SPRING/SUMMER

2023

gift of life

Walking with Giants

Every day I encounter giants. (And while I am only 5’, I am not talking about stature.)

The giants I meet in our hallways and dining rooms and libraries are giants of character – men, women and children who every day move beyond what seems to be impossible odds to accomplish what appears to be impossible goals. I am in awe of them

I felt this same awe when I met Justine. Justine is a 15- year- old sophomore who received a heart transplant in January of this year! She is a beautiful, articulate, and poised young woman. Justine exudes a warmth and charisma that belies what she has experienced and been through in her young life.

Let me tell you a bit about her! She is an excellent student, receiving the highest or high honors in each quarter and semester during the school year. She has been class president in each of her first two years of high school.

She participates in One Act, Theatre and Forensics and is a member of Badgers United, the Student Council and Hi-Q, an academic quiz competition in northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She was awarded a silver medal in the State Forensics competition during her freshman year. She volunteers in the food booths at the Lions Club Community Picnic. She is a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and served many years as an altar server. She volunteers at the church fish fries, pasty sales and funeral dinners.

She enjoys performing and being on stage. She has participated in tap, jazz, hip-hop and lyrical dance at Julie’s Top Hat Dance Studio. She holds a part-time job in the daycare program for the school district and she lists her hobbies as baking, hunting, being outdoors, ATV riding, weightlifting, and spending time with family and friends.

All these are impressive accomplishments but it is what she has overcome that makes Justine a giant of character!

Justine inherited Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy from her dad. According to Mayo Clinic, individuals with one parent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have a 50% chance of having the genetic mutation for the disease. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy typically affects the muscular wall between the two bottom chambers of the heart, causing them to thicken and preventing proper blood flow out of the heart. It can also cause heart rhythm issues and Justine developed this in 1st grade.

But in February last year she had to quit dance and her doctors began talking to her about a heart transplant. In July of 2022 she had her work up and she was listed in August. She waited almost six months for a call to come. One afternoon in January, she decided to hop in the shower after church and heard pounding on the bathroom door. Assuming it was nothing, she continued her shower until her dad and her brother, Joe, told her they had gotten the call.

When she arrived, there was bloodwork, tests, another shower and surgery began at 5:00am. The surgery was completed at approximately 3:30pm and Justine says the first thing she remembers is hearing her dad snoring! Justine’s was the first pediatric “Heart In the Box” transplant. Heart in the Box preserves a donor heart by keeping it warm, nourished and beating outside the body. It extends the time for transporting the heart to the transplant site, which is normally about 4 hours with ice.

Justine Geldmeyer

In April of this year, Justine was elected as the reigning queen of her hometown with plans for her coronation in June, 2023. She competed against 5 other young woman to win the title and crown! During our 9th Annual Walk of Remembrance, Justine and her mother Carrie received the DonateLife flag from the donor family and raised it at Gift of Life Transplant House.

Justine’s dad, Scott, also had a heart transplant in 2010 and stayed at Gift of Life Transplant House, followed by her brother Joe, who had his heart transplant in 2015. Scott and Joe carried the DonateLife Flag after Joe’s heart transplant. The family has come to know Gift of Life Transplant House well and mom Carrie says, “It is a safe place with people who are in the same boat.”

Justine plans to go to college and then to law school. She hopes to represent people who have no voice.

“ Greatness is not measured by what one accomplishes, but by the opposition one overcomes to reach the goal.”

JUSTINE AND MOM RAISING THE DONATE LIFE FLAG

Letter from Leadership

Outoging Board President: Adrienne Pompeian

Dear guests, staff, volunteers, donors, and friends,

I have cherished the opportunity to serve as the Gift of Life Transplant House Board President. As I approach the end of my two-year term and reflect on these years, I believe and am proud that Gift of Life has thrived through some of the most challenging years in recent history.

During and due to the pandemic, we intermittently experienced slight decreases in House occupancy. However, the generosity from donors only increased. In 2022, we reached an all-time annual record for monetary donations to Gift of Life. I believe this is a result of the impact Gift of Life has on its guests, donors, and community. This was a remarkable milestone and we feel blessed and grateful to receive such generosity.

The successful daily operations of Gift of Life Transplant House are the result of our exceptional staff, volunteers, and board members. Working together as a team, Gift of Life continued to operate smoothly through uncertainty with the pandemic. I thank our Executive Director, Mary Wilder, for her unwavering dedication and leadership; our staff and volunteers for their flexibility and fortitude; and our board members for their time, expertise, and camaraderie.

I also thank our advisers at Mayo Clinic for guiding us with our Covid policies and protocols to ensure our guests remained safe and healthy to the best of our ability during their stays. I am proud to share that, with our strict Covid protocols in place, we had zero outbreaks of Covid at Gift of Life.

As I look ahead, I am confident that my father’s legacy will continue on a bright trajectory. As we emerge from the pandemic and the need for Gift of Life’s presence increases, I am certain that we will resume our expansion plans so that transplant patients and their

caregivers who want to stay at Gift of Life will never need to be turned away due to lack of room availability. As my father always believed, transplant patients belong at Gift of Life. Gift of Life Transplant House truly embodies an environment of hope, healing, safety, and support. Listening ears and encouraging words fill the Houses. At Gift of Life, you are not alone on your transplant journey.

As I finish my position as Board President, I hope and pray that Gift of Life continues to touch and help thousands of lives each year and be an exceptional and affordable home away from home for our guests and caregivers for decades to come. May God continue to richly bless Gift of Life and each of you today and always.

Thank you for this opportunity to have served as Board President. I am excited for the future of Gift of Life and to remain closely involved for many years to come.

With warm regards and utmost respect, Adrienne J. Pompeian

A Message from our Incoming President

Board President: Cyle Erie

Hello and Happy Spring and Summer! We have survived another Winter in Minnesota and I am reminded as I am every year why I love the seasons! My name is Cyle Erie and I am honored to serve as the President of the Board of the Gift of Life Transplant House! I’ve been volunteering with and supporting the Gift of Life Transplant House for about 6 years and I’m thrilled to continue my involvement in such an amazing organization.

I grew up in the Rochester area, and after spending about 12 years away at college and starting a career and a family, we returned to Rochester where I am a Project Executive and lead the Rochester team at ISG, an architecture and engineering firm. My wife, Tiffany is an art teacher at Franklin Elementary and Montessori at Franklin, and we live on a farm with our 4 children Ryan, Josh, Ellery and Bennett, a golden retriever, 3 cats and 10 chickens…there is some debate about adding ducks to the farm.

After about 25 years of living with diabetes, my father had a pancreas transplant. Although the transplant was a success (working pancreas!), there were complications and many months of visits to and stays at the Mayo Clinic. I remember having gone through that experience gaining a true appreciation for the life-changing mission that the Gift of Life Transplant House brings to its guests, caregivers and their families and support networks. We were fortunate enough to live so close to the Mayo Clinic; but many do not have that luxury and rely upon the Gift of Life Transplant House to be their “Home away from Home.”

One thing that has always amazed me is the dedication and passion that each and every one of our staff at Gift of Life show toward their job, and truly making the guests and caregivers feel this is their Home away from Home. I also love seeing guests interacting with staff and with one another; because that shows part of the intangibles that helps contribute to recovery and the best outcomes for our guests. I’m also very proud of the entire team for doing all the hard work of keeping the house safe, clean and OPEN for guests and caregivers the entire time through the pandemic. It would have been much easier to say we need to close for a period of time, but there was a commitment to keep it open and available for all who needed that Home away from Home more than ever, and everyone made the sacrifices necessary to advance the mission. I look forward to getting to know and meeting many of you in the coming months and years!

-Cyle

Ways To Give

Gift of Life Transplant House relies on the generosity of our donors and benefactors to provide sustainable lodging for our guests and caregivers. Donations come in the form of cash, checks, and donations of items we use every day.

We recently met with our partners at Associated Bank to ask what other options are available as you consider a donation to Gift of Life. Darcy Elmer, Vice President and Senior Fiduciary Officer, provided us with two options and explanations. Darcy is also willing to chat with you about your considerations as you consider your giving strategies. His contact information is provided below. Typically, when giving to charity, we consider giving cash or writing a check, but there are other options.

Donating appreciated stock allows you to give in a tax-efficient way, since you will avoid paying capital gains tax. This can be a great option to meet your giving goals and maintain efficiency with your finances. By donating stock that has appreciated for over a year, you could end up giving 20% more than if you sold the stock and used the cash to make a donation. By donating appreciated stock, you are avoiding capital gains taxes. The maximum federal capital gains tax rate is 20% on long-term holdings (assets held for more than a year). However, if you donate stock directly to a charity, there’s no capital gains tax to pay.

Another option is to utilize your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution. A Qualified Charitable Distribution is a transfer of funds from your IRA directly to a qualified charity. Utilizing your IRA to make charitable donations has many tax benefits.

What are the requirements for a Qualified Charitable Distribution? With a Traditional, Rollover or Inherited IRA, you must meet the following requirements:

• Over the age of 701/2

• Maximum annual distribution applies

• Charities must be a 501(c)(3) or a house of worship and funds must be directly trasnferred to the charity

If charitable giving is important to you, we can help. Charitable giving plays an important role for many who wish to align their gifting strategies with their overall values. The information shared here is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to formalizing your giving strategy. Please reach out to Mary Wilder or Darcy Elmer to discuss gifting strategies.

For other Ways To Give, see our website. www.gift-of-life.org/ways-to-give

Darcy Elmer

Vice President, Senior Fiduciary Officer

507-424-3438

Darcy. Elmer@AssociatedBank.com

Mary Wilder Executive Director

507-951-0061

mwilder@gift-of-life.org

Through the Eyes of Grace

By Pastor Larry and Connie Doughan

Of the many things we saw here in our time in Rochester, the first was that waiting is not easy. With all of the medical care we were about to receive, the tumors that had surprised us so quickly weren’t disposed of overnight, or in a week, or in a month. Progress was being made in the steps of treatment, but we had to wait to see if the treatment would be effective. We saw Gift of Life as a place for us to stay and be safe, and to rest when resting was possible.

In the weeks we have spent at Gift of Life when we faced yet one more day of being exhausted, the staff here encouraged us with snacks we didn’t expect, greeting us with gentle words each day and welcoming us to our home away from home after one more long day of tests and treatments.

We were also given new friends. Some were the staff here, but the surprise was those who walked in here just like we did: far from home with illnesses they didn’t fully understand…all of us feeling vulnerable.

After being here for almost seven weeks, we got together with eleven others on one of our last nights here. Together we shared what each of us had been seeing. Some of us were patients. Some were caregivers. Though we were all strangers two months ago, that’s not true anymore. Before we went our different ways we sang a song by Matt Maher: “Run to the Father” and we prayed for one another.

The bottom line in all this is that God did for us what He promises so often: He met our needs each day. We are grateful that one of the tools He used to do that was a group of people we didn’t know a year ago but now hold dearly at Gift of Life.

Connie and Larry call Gift of Life Transplant House their “northern home”! Connie had a BMT this past March and became an important part of the fabric of the house, visiting with many other guests. Larry comments that it was the support and interaction with other guests and caregivers that assured him he was not alone and Connie comments that she so appreciated that her faith was never squelched. For her, this was a ‘huge blessing’. Larry is a pastor with the Presbyterian Church in America and Connie teaches Special Ed and in the summer, she teaches Driver’s Ed!

Ladd’s Retiring Movin’ On

Ladd Baldus joined Gift of Life Transplant in November 2009, shortly after the Anne and Henry Zarrow Home had been completed. Ladd’s expertise and all around knowledge have meant that both houses at Gift of Life Transplant House have been well cared for and impeccably maintained. He takes great pride in the outside and inside of the homes and it is evident everywhere you look.

When Ladd announced he was retiring, however, he did not want it to be said that he was retiring. Instead, he said he was just movin’ on! Ladd and his wife, Lisa, are making preparations for a long, enjoyable and WARM retirement, away from the Minnesota winters. Ladd’s official last day will be Friday, June 16!

Welcome Cody Schieck!

Hello, my name is Cody, and I am new to the Gift of Life Family. I am joining the team as the Facilities Manager. I have been here for four months, and the transition has been great. What drew me to the Gift of Life is the GREAT people who work and stay here and there are new challenges along with accomplishments every day. There are always opportunities to learn and grow.

Prior to working at Gift of Life, I spent 9 years working for the Brock White Company as the Warehouse Supervisor. There I oversaw the day-to-day deliveries and shipments along with building and yard maintenance. Prior to Brock White I spent time in the trades and running my own business. I’m hoping to bring all my previous knowledge and skills to the Gift of Life to continue to make this a GREAT place to work and stay.

GIFT OF LIFE TRANSPLANT HOUSE WISH LIST...

◊ Napkins

◊ Paper Towels

◊ Toilet Paper

◊ Facial Tissues

◊ $30 for a guest room night

◊ Wrapped Candy

◊ Gallon Ziploc Bags

◊ Toilet Bowl Cleaner

◊ Clorox Cleaner

◊ Hand Sanitzer

◊ Lysol Spray

◊ Soft Scrub

◊ Regular & Decaffinated Coffee

◊ Disinfecting Wipes

◊ Aluminium Foil

◊ Storage Containers

◊ Forever Postage Stamps

◊ Scrubbing Bubbles

Find our Amazon Wish List and links to items on our Website: www.gift-of-life.org/make-a-donation

LADD AT THE GOLF TOURNAMENT 22'

Gift of Life to renovate the original Gift of Life House

Located on 624 W. Center, just a block from the Edward and Jayne Pompeian Home, sits the original Gift of Life Transplant House. For those of you who have read Ed Pompeian’s book, T he Gift of Life, this is the home he agreed to purchase with a $15,000 downpayment and no idea where that money would come from! Ed was able to raise the funds and with the help of board members and volunteers who set to work, the house was made into a beautiful home for transplant patients and caregivers. In those early days, every one walked up flights of stairs and shared a bathroom! But I have had the joy of speaking with many guests who have fond memories of staying at that house.

In 2021, water damage gave us the opportunity to rethink the use of the house and with the collaboration of our board and many of the same partners Ed had called on, the decision was made to transform the home into a Pediatric Transplant House!

The house will be designed to allow the transplant child, his parents and one or two siblings, if desired, at the house. Bedrooms will feature private bathrooms and adjoining rooms. There will be room for four families with the main level bedroom and bathroom accommodating a child or parent who cannot climb stairs. The house will also feature a playroom, TV room and computer room.

The current proposal for renovation is just over $600,000. If you would like more information or you are interested in donating to make the Pediatric Transplant House a reality, please contact Mary Wilder at mwilder@gift-of-life.org or call 507-951-0061.

Expansion on "Hard Pause"

The pandemic caused many businesses to pause some of their projects for a period of time and Gift of Life Transplant House was no exception. Just prior to the pandemic, we were poised to expand the Anne and Henry Zarrow Home, adding an additional 41 guest rooms, two kitchens, an extended dining room and laundry facilities on each floor! There were two major reasons for the pause.

Pre-pandemic our occupancy levels were nearing 93%, but following March 2020, they dropped to 67 – 73%. Those numbers have seen a steady increase and we know that the demand for high quality, affordable housing will once again reach pre-pandemic levels.

Secondly, the house is structurally all wood. Supply chain problems and cost of lumber increased drastically, causing our budget of $7,500,000 to increase to nearly $12,000,000. As a result, the Board made the decision to “pause” the expansion.

While we are not expecting a return to pre-pandemic costs, we are expecting costs to stabilize. We know for certain that the demand for affordable lodging will continue to increase and our mission remains unwavering!

Our next steps will be to re-assess the budget based on current costs and to invite you, our friends, family, donors, guests and caregivers to make this expansion a possibility!

Welcome New Staff: House Happenings

OPERATIONS

Mask Policy Relaxed

As Mayo relaxed their mask policy, Gift of Life did the same thing. Guests and caregivers are now encouraged to wear their masks; however, the decision is theirs. Staff continue to wear their masks when chatting or meeting a guest or caregiver.

Visitor Policy

We have not changed our visitor policy. Visitors are allowed on the grounds at any time to visit with their loved ones but are not allowed inside the house. We are continuing to closely monitor RSV, Influenza and COVID and will relax this policy if it seems wise to do so

FACILITIES

Parking lot replaced

The parking lot at the Edward and Jayne Pompeian Home will soon be completely re-done during the 1st week of June. Thanks to the generosity of the Mayflower Group LLC and Stesco Investments, guests will have alternative parking just down the road during that week. A “shuttle” aka Ladd Baldus will drive guests and caregivers to and from the parking lot during the day.

New dining room floors

The dining room floors at the Edward and Jayne Pompeian Home have been replaced. We made sure to choose flooring that would maintain that wonderful beauty of the wood and woodwork we all love so much.

Payge Merkel Receptionist

Cody Schieck Facilities Manager

Steve Birdseye Custodian

Introducing The Welcome Home Club

A monthly giving opportunity

We all love to hear the words – Welcome Home! It means we are wanted and loved and we know we are entering into familiar surroundings filled with good smells, encouraging sounds and warmth!

Gift of Life Transplant House is that welcoming ‘home away from home’ for transplant patients and their caregivers. Many come with worries and anxieties and one of the greatest is financial concerns. Even though we charge just $30.00/night, medical costs can cause financial hardships that make even this nightly cost seem impossible.

By joining the Welcome Home Club, you are committing to a monthly donation!

To become a member, go to https://www.gift-of-life.org/make-a-donation

Joining is easy! Right under the amount you wish to donate, click the box that says “Make this Donation every Month”. You can also choose another time frame. Complete the rest of the form and near the bottom of the 1st page, indicate that you want to be a member of the Welcome Home Club. Remember when you click DonateNow, you will be taken to a second page to input your credit card information. You do not have to use PayPal to make a donation. Simply click Donate with Debit or Credit card.

Your generosity will allow us to continue to say Welcome Home for many years to come!

Thank you.

$20.00 - Pays for Art Supplies for our Self-Directed Art Program for Guests and Caregivers

$30.00 - Pays for a night’s lodging for a transplant patient and caregiver

$210.00 - Pays for a week’s lodging for a transplant patient and caregiver

Meet Our New Operations Manager

My name is Pollie Goodman. I’ve worked here at Gift of Life Transplant House for 4 ½ years. I started out as a housekeeper, then went on to Lead Housekeeper and now I’ve been given this amazing opportunity to be Operations Manager. Gift of Life Transplant House has a very special place in my heart and my passion for the house runs deep. I strive and work to my fullest to make sure the guest rooms and common areas throughout both houses are cleaned to the utmost highest standards.

I want our guests and their caregivers to know that they have a clean, comfortable and inviting ‘home away from home’ to come to after a long day of appointments. You can see me at either house and my office door is always open! I’m here to assist you in any way I can. I’d like to say a huge thank you to my family for their support, my awesome coworkers, our Executive Director, Mary Wilder, and the Gift of Life Board Members for entrusting me with this great opportunity.

Self-Directed Art Projects

When Board Member Arlene Bahr first brought up the idea of Self-Directed Art Projects, we weren’t quite sure what it looked like. But what had started as a program at Mayo Clinic has become very popular at Gift of Life Transplant House as well.

What is a Self-Directed Art Project?

It is a completely self-contained art project you can do on your own at any time. The projects come in a large bag with every item needed to complete the project. Also included is a brochure containing a QR code that links to the YouTube art instructor video. There are 8 unique kits in all.

Is there any cost?

There is no cost for the guests or caregivers. Gift of Life Transplant House had received a donation that has covered a large part of the needed items for each kit but this is a great idea for a donation as well.

How long does each art project take to complete?

This is the beauty of a self-directed art project. A guest or caregiver can take as long as they would like to complete the project.

I have never understood what a QR code is? I don’t know how to scan on my phone. Don’t let the word “scan” throw you off. QR code stands for “Quick Response Code”. Turn on your phone’s camera and hold it up in front of the code, as if you were going to take a picture of it! DON’T TAKE A PICTURE.

As you hold your camera up, you will see a website come up.

Now click on the website and you will be taken to the YouTube video of how to create the craft!

Thanks to Arlene Bahr and the Health and Wellness Committee for their commitment to our guests and caregivers.

Dessert and Conversation

Another program being created by our Health and Wellness Committee is Dessert and Conversation. This program will bring guests and caregivers together with various providers for some dessert and an opportunity to ask questions. Our first provider will be Dr. Andrew Bentall, one of our Board members and a Nephrologist in the Transplant Department. He will be joined by Katie Lumley, a transplant nurse coordinator at Mayo Clinic.

Next month in June we will be hearing from Corissa Schnell from the Mayo Specialty Pharmacy join us. Corissa will be able to answer questions related to the pharmacy!

2022 Impact By The Numbers

44,281 Total Guest Nights

Average Monthly Occupancy – 71% That means that 60 of our 84 rooms were utilized every month.

$51,041 was provided in assistance from the Susan Powers Helping Hand Fund.

Average stay is 2 weeks to 6 months depending on the type of transplant.

97% of your donations are used to directly support the mission of Gift of Life.

Walk of Remembrance Events

Upcoming Event

To register, use your phone's camera to hover over the QR code. As you hold your camera up, you will see a website come up. Click on the website link and it will take you to the registration page.