Dear Friends,

 

Thankfulness takes on an entirely new meaning whenever life brings devastating news and you manage to beat the long odds. It heightens your appreciation for all things that you fear may quickly be taken from you. My husband Brian was rather shockingly diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukemia earlier this year. It has at times been completely overwhelming yet we are beyond grateful to report that he is still cancer free 5 months after his bone marrow transplant at UW Hospital. We are so grateful for every moment we have together. Every laughter-filled visit with our five grandkids, every trip we take to special places that have filled our lives with joy over the years, every breakfast we share with our Restoring Hope Transplant House guests who are going through so many of the very same challenges. Those are moments we cherish now more than ever. In the midst of perhaps our most difficult year personally, we feel as though this will be the most meaningful Thanksgiving of our lives!

 

Through it all, we are so proud of how Restoring Hope has flourished this year and how so many of our supporters, transplant guests and good neighbors have locked arms together to make us stronger and filled our collective sails with optimism whenever our focus drifted to worrisome lab results or health related setbacks. We have never had to close our doors or turn away a transplant family in need while navigating this battle and while very proud of that fact, we recognize and appreciate that it has taken the compassion of the masses to make it all possible.

Our collective thankfulness extends to all of the UW Hospital and VA Hospital medical teams, staff and guest services personnel. Not only have you been a pleasure to partner with and a blessing to so many of our visiting transplant families but you have also now directly touched our lives through Brian's transplant journey. Your talents give us a chance, your compassion gives us hope and your patient-family centered care promotes much-needed healing for all. We are so thankful for all you do!

As a charitable cause that has now been serving transplant families since 2013, we say Thanks for Giving. As a non-profit, this house is largely a gift to the transplant community from many kind-hearted donors who have given so generously over the years. You are the heartbeat of this house. From monthly contributions to holiday gifts to donations in loving memory and everything in between. Your love for the people who share this house fuels so many of the miracles we share with you each and every month. In a time of giving thanks for all we have been blessed with we would be most grateful for your help this holiday season!

 

Many thanks also to our Lions and Lioness Club friends who have raised incredible awareness for such critical health related issues as diabetes which effects so many of our guests and for their loyal contributions to Restoring Hope Transplant House which has largely helped to keep these doors open to families in need. These amazing people are amongst the finest examples of our greatest champions. We are so grateful for all who have had their hearts so completely captured by the mission of this house and the stories of those who share it to help ensure that it remains a fixture in the transplant community. Quite simply, we could not do this without your help!

As always, we will be hosting a traditional Thanksgiving feast this year for all of the families currently staying here at Restoring Hope Transplant House. We are full this entire week with families from as far away as Alaska, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Washington and Wisconsin which means many families will be away from friends and loved ones but still able to enjoy the love, support and holiday spirits of our Transplant House family. We appreciate all who continue to make this house such a welcoming home for families like these in need!

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

 

Cindy Herbst

Executive Director & Co-Founder

Restoring Hope Transplant House