This holiday season, we celebrate the light you bring to our community through your generosity, advocacy and support. Because of you, hope shines brighter for all who are waiting.

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Read our Winter 2025 Newsletter.

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Your caring support has never been more essential!

Chelsea Gaynes developed a rare lung disease when she was just 16 years old. In 2016, at the age of 24, Chelsea received her first lifesaving lung transplant thanks to a donor hero.

Unfortunately, Chelsea caught several infections known to coincide with lung transplants and had to receive a second lung transplant in spring of 2025. Nicole, Chelsea’s mom, stayed at the House for almost six months during Chelsea’s second recovery.

“[The House] is such a crucial part of the process, it takes such a weight off of you,” explains Nicole.

“Something really beautiful is that my mom cultivated a family here while I was in the hospital, so when I got discharged, I came back to this welcoming committee of people that knew about me and cared,” shares Chelsea.

“[The House] is such a crucial part of the process, it takes such a weight off of you.” -Nicole

Because of Gift of Life Howie’s House, Nicole had an affordable, comfortable place to call home where she was surrounded by people who knew what she was going through.

“It saved our lives. I would not have been able to maintain anything without [the House], and mentally it would have broken me,” emphasizes Nicole.

Chelsea never let her illness hold her back, even during her most difficult days. During her transplant journey, Chelsea earned her master’s in business administration, published poetry, and even started her own skin and haircare business.

Families like Chelsea’s depend on the House during their complex medical journeys. Through a charitable gift, you can help keep families close, and Give Families A Home for the Holidays this season.