She Did It - She Really Finished!

There were so many great moments and good Restoring Hope Transplant House friends at this years Capital City 5k Transplant Run/Walk, but so proud of this young lady in particular who gutted it out to the finish just 18 months after a liver transplant.

Amazing to see how far Kerry and so many of you have come in a very short period of time. It's so much more than just a feat of physical activity, it's a show of thanks to all the donors, to the loved ones who always stuck by our sides, to the mirac le workers at the hospital who have been building us back up for this moment and capped off with a proud moment of hey...I did this...and I'm not done yet!

 

A really awesome event...kudos to all who organized, sponsored, cheered on and participated. This is the type of spirit lifting event so many of our transplant families need!

Lions Club Friends at Capital City 5k

As with so many community-minded events, you typically see our Lions Club friends out and about embracing a good cause and supporting everyone who participates.  Wonderful to see them passing out treats at the end of the Capital City Transplant 5k.  What a difference their compassion, support and generosity makes each and every day here at Restoring Hope Transplant House.  It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces around the finish line as we finished up a truly great event.  Thank you all for getting involved!

We have a Veteran from Indiana here at RHTH now on his "30 days" where he's at the top of the list for a heart transplant. In support of him and so many others, please take a moment to learn more about registering to become an organ donor and see if it makes sense for you and your family. We see the miraculous results registered donors have with guests here at RHTH on a daily basis. We've got a brother here in need and so many others waiting patiently...a few minutes of your time could one day make all the d ifference in the world! Thank you! 

 

Always great to welcome new guests from new places. This young man had a double lung transplant several years ago here in Madison and is doing quite well.  He and his wife have come to RHTH all the way from Panama.  Welcome friends, so great to have you here and to learn more about your hometown and all of the natural beauty of your country through your shared photos.  

In Their Own Words: En Espanol

"Hola, mi nombre es Miriam y mi esposo Michael necesitaba transplante de doble pulmon hace 8 anos.  Y cada 6 meses tiene que venir por control.  Este ano nos a tocado conocer nuevas personas en Restoring Hope y la experiencia a sido muy linda.  La atencion muy pero muy especial, la comida casera muy deliciosa.  Gracias a todos por su gran atencion."

Miriam y Michael

Transplante de doble pulmon

La Chorrera Panama

Festive Month In The Good Neighbor City

August is always a very festive time of year here in Middleton with National Mustard Day in early August and Good Neighbor Fest activities at the end of August.   

We were all very happy and grateful to receive this big shipment of cupcakes recently to share with the house in loving memory of Paul Natzke...a young friend of RHTH who passed away in 2017. A great reminder that each and every day is a great opportunity to "do something nice for someone."

Thanks to everyone involved with this very heartfelt gift and best wishes to all whose lives were touched by Paul's love for life! ❤️

 

www.PaulNatzke.com

New LVAD for Minnesota Friends

"My husband had a bad heart and was hoping to get on a heart transplant list. We knew for the time being that he would have to get a heart pump put in. I had gone home first and a few days later drove to Madison. I was very nervous because this was all a strange place to me. I was told at first I was gonna stay in a hotel. Well, the hotel was booked so the transplant coordinator told me I was gonna stay at some house. I was a bit sketchy about it at first, but as soon as I walked in the door I met Eric. What a goof right off the bat, he made me laugh, I almost instantly felt right at home. I got my own room with tv and recliner, very comfortable. I stayed for about a week or so until the transplant team decided what they were going to do with my husband Bob. They decided on the LVAD. We went home for two weeks. While at home they set the surgery date, and they said I would be staying at a hotel. Well thank god the hotel was booked. I got to stay at Restoring Hope Transplant House again. Just in the short time I was there previously it felt like home to me. I met a lot of amazing people and heard great stories, and it was very nice to talk to other caregivers and share our stories. Cindy is a wonderful person, and a great listener, very grateful for her also, and Eric and I made some great dinners together!"

 

-Ardyce & Bob

VA LVAD Recipient

Duluth, MN area

In The Middle Of It All

We have had so many tasty meals out this month with members of our RHTH family.  Whether it's long-term guests looking to try something different, old friends back for a check-up and eager to eat at their favorite local restaurant or new visitors just learning their way around our area and the many great restaurants within walking distance...it is always a great time to eat out whenever you are in the Good Neighbor City.  We are thankful for all of the great hospitality these places provide our guests as well.  It goes a long way in making so many of our guests feel comfortable when they are regularly welcomed with open arms!

What an amazing month it has been for Facebook Birthday Fundraisers in support of RHTH.  Appreciate all of the support ranging from our kidney auto transplant friend Steffanie who generated more than $1,000 dollars in honor of her special day to any and all efforts that help to offset so many of our regular monthly expenses.  Thank you all for sharing your birthdays with Restoring Hope Transplant House and our extended transplant family.  We are so moved by your kindness!

Update on Brian

We appreciate your continued interest in the progress of Cindy's husband Brian as he battles Leukemia. Brian continues to heal but his numbers have dropped over the past 3 weeks which is a concern.  Our medical team remains on top of the situation as always.  We are so grateful for all they do and for your continued support as well!

Volunteers Needed to Help with Love Love Donate Event!

  In loving memory of dear friends we have lost.  Thank you for your friendship, laughs, love and lasting memories. We are so grateful for all you and your families have done to help make this house a home.  You will never be forgotten!

You Can Help - Support RHTH & Transplant Families Today!

If this cause and the above faces, families and stories inspire and move you, we hope that you would please consider making a donation to Restoring Hope Transplant House.  Your generosity is so vitally important  as a non-profit that depends almost entirely upon financial contributions from supporters like you. 

Our air conditioning bills by themselves are off the charts during this recent heat wave for such a massive house.  Serving daily breakfasts to a full house is also a significant operating expense where donations are so crucial.  We simply cannot do this alone.

Please help support the transplant community by making a secure online donation to Restoring Hope Transplant House via PayPal today! 

We are also actively searching for major donors to help with our joint efforts with the Lions Clubs of Wisconsin and others to help push us over the top for our extensive plans to renovate and add on to the current house as well as monthly donors and fundraisers to help with operating expenses.  This will ensure that Restoring Hope Transplant House becomes a longtime fixture in both downtown Middleton and in the transplant community.  If you have any suggestions, connections or interest please contact Executive Director Cindy Herbst at 608-831-1726 or via email at restoringhope@tds.net.  Please help!