A little purple pill, a women's volunteer service, men in orange aprons, an up-scale furniture designer, and a model-turned carpenter—all come together to help patients in need. An unusual mix—and an even more unusual tale of medical staff, patients, and families all working together for a better outcome. Each day about 70 people receive an organ transplant, but another 16 people on the waiting list die because not enough organs are available, according to data provided by the United States Department of Health & Human Services. NORA's Life Gift Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with end-stage organ disease, those in need of organ transplantation, and other major medical trauma. Most families, regardless of income, are not prepared for the financial burdens that develop when a loved one is in need of an organ transplant; no family, regardless of strength, is prepared for the emotional strain and stress associated with the process. NORA's Life Gift Foundation, Inc. plans to provide resources, both financial and supportive, to patients and their families.

The foundation, established in 1998, strives to memorialize the life of a young girl named Nora and her charitable nature. Nora died in a tragic auto accident at the age of 7. "We wanted our daughter's wonderful, compassionate and caring spirit to live on," said Dr. Lillian Gaber. Dr. Lillian Gaber, a professor in the Pathology Department at University of Tennessee, and her husband Dr. Osama Gaber, Chief of Transplant Division, and professor of surgery, at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, founded NORA's Life Gift Foundation in memory of their daughter Nora. Due to the dire need in the medical community and to the efforts of her family, their colleagues, and their friends, "Nora" is not only synonymous with compassion but now also represents New hope for Organ Replacement Advancement.

NORA's Home, created by the foundation in 2001 to provide a home away from home for patients and their families who travel to receive major medical care. More than 3,000 families have come through the doors of NORA's Home since it opened. Designed to provide a place to rest, removed from a hospital setting, it also provides a place where families can share their stories and fears with families going through similar situations while providing emotional support. The Junior League of Memphis' (JLM) goal was to design rooms for NORA's Home with a warm home-like environment. "We're all committed to creating a warm comfortable retreat for NORA's families," says Kim MacQueen, President of the JLM. Thanks to AstraZeneca, the makers of Nexium, the JLM project received sponsorship as part of their goal to create "healing spaces." Andrew Dan-Jumbo joined the JLM and Home Depot crew of volunteers in the unveiling of the first remodeled room. Andrew, the carpenter from the popular television show While You Were Out, has attained rock-star status among home-improvement fans of TLC. His presence sparked energy among the surgeons, staff, and JLM volunteers in Memphis as he rolled up his sleeves and joined the carpenters and plumbers generously provided by the Memphis Home Depot, to transform the previously sterile space. Interior designer Michael Burgess, who created the custom furniture for the rooms, says "I've never been so proud to work with a team. All this energy and enthusiasm. The Junior League has worked right along side the Home Depot team, never missing a step." The remaining rooms will also be remodeled in the near future, courtesy of the Junior League.

NORA's Home is located in the heart of the Memphis medical center. The center depends on volunteers from staff in the surrounding medical center, including the UT transplant dept unit, as well as local high schools, various churches and synagogues, the masonic lodge, and community groups such as the Junior League. Support and referrals are provided by more than 25 physicians among the medical center community. Members of the Board of Directors include Dr. Lillian Gaber, Dr. Osama Gaber, and Dr. Hosein Shokouh-Amiri. Guest rooms encompass the entire second floor. Patients and their families who stay at NORA's Home travel from across the country and around the world to receive medical care at Le Bonheur Hospital, Methodist University Hospital, UT Bowld, The Regional Medical Center, the Veterans Affairs Center, ST. Jude, and the cadre of doctors' offices in the medical center. Families and long term patients may stay for weeks or even months while undergoing treatment and undergoing recovery. Guests include transplant patients, trauma patients, even cancer patients who need to be near medical care for extended periods of time. Originally designed to fill a need in the transplant community for post-surgical transplant recipients, Dr. O. Gaber states, "we don't turn anyone away because of their treatment type. We're here for the families of our patients. When you're really tired and you come here at night and see all this good work, and read the thank-you notes, it really warms your heart."

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network lists 87,194 candidates on the waiting list for transplants as of November 1, 2004. The number of people awaiting a deceased donor kidney transplant in the United States has exceeded 60,000 for the first time. The truth is, despite continuing advances in medicine and technology, the demand for organs is vastly greater than the number of organ donors. In 2004, 8,200 deceased and living donors provided for 15,671 lifesaving organ transplants. The National Foundation for Transplants provides information on becoming a donor and lists the most important part of deciding to be a donor is telling your family. Talking about donation doesn't mean talking about death. It is talking about the opportunity to give another person a second chance at life. Even if you have signed a donor card or indicated your wish to donate on your driver's license, you need to tell your family since they will be consulted before donation can take place.

Corporate Sponsors
NORA's Life Gift Foundation salutes our corporate sponsors for their continued support of NORA's Home. We extend our appreciation for their support and commitment to the patients, families, and the medical community.
• Isis Level Patron
• Methodist Healthcare University Hospital
• Genzyme Corporation
• Roche Pharmaceuticals
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals
• Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
• UT Blood & Marrow Transplant Center
• Fujisawa Healthcare Inc.
• University of TN Health Science Center
• College of Nursing and The Center for Health • Evaluation and Lifestyle Promotion

Community Partners
We thank our community partners for contributing funds and volunteers to NORA's Home and helping to extend our services to patients and families in medical crisis.

• Memphis Junior League
• John Adams family
• Harry J. Phillips family

Sponsorship Opportunities:
GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE
If the holiday season causes you to think about donating time or money to a worthy cause, or if you have the opportunity to make it a part of your new year’s resolution, please consider sponsoring one of the many events to benefit NORA's Home:

Nov 19th, 2004
Memphis to Memphis.
Gala in the Cadre Building featuring Ruby Wilson.
Egyptian Art Exhibit in the joysmith gallery.

April 2005
National Donate Life Month.
Youth celebration and internet auction.

November 2005
Memphis to Memphis.
Gala and Art Exhibit.

Organizations and individuals who are interested in making a donation or contributing to our wish list of items needed for NORA's families may go on-line to: www.noraslifegift.org or can contact Dawn Vinson, Executive Director, at 1.877.390.4663.