Transplant House of West Michigan

Holly Werlein-Gary

Holly was just 21 and visiting family in Cleveland when she suddenly became critically ill. She woke up three days later at Cleveland Clinic with a new liver and the realization that she was lucky to be alive.

She went back to college where she studied health care communications and eventually went to work at Spectrum Health’s Heart and Lung Transplant Program in Grand Rapids.

That’s where she met her husband, Tracy.

Tracy Gary

Tracy had three heart attacks and a stroke and was being evaluated for a heart transplant. Holly was his caregiver during one of his hospital stays at Spectrum Health.

He knew he needed a new heart, but he didn’t qualify at the time for the transplant waiting list. He started to take care of himself as best he could, but his condition deteriorated and a year later he was listed for a heart transplant.

Holly had since started working at a different clinic, but Tracy found her on Facebook and reached out to share an update on his status. They met for lunch which led to them making more plans to meet up. Soon they became inseparable.

Tracy received a new heart about a year later and Holly was with him throughout the journey.

Tracy proposed on June 14, 2016, the tenth anniversary of Holly’s transplant. They have been married for nearly six years.

Because of their experiences, they wanted to find a way to give back. They started a non-profit to bring a transplant house to western Michigan.

Transplant House of West Michigan

Tracy and Holly understood firsthand the displacement families feel as they wait for their loved one to receive that lifesaving gift. Both of their families made countless trips and long drives to get the care they needed.

While some hospitals have facilities for people to stay, they’re often full and have limits on the length of stay.

They started the Transplant House of West Michigan to help the growing transplant community in West Michigan. The House has four bedrooms, one full kitchen, one kitchenette, is ADA compliant and can house up to 13 people at a time. Compared to area hotels, the home is about half the cost at $60 a night. It’s also conveniently located near Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, the largest transplant center in the area.

Since opening, the House has helped 15 families from across the state. The community has also stepped up to help Tracy and Holly’s vision come to life.

West Michigan

Corewell Health sponsored the House’s upstairs kitchen. Their transplant center also provided the funds needed for a back-up generator.

Donor families and recipients have also come through and sponsored rooms within the home and provided other ways to help families that stay. One donor family sponsored a room and also purchased restaurant gift cards for families. The Garys provide $25-$35 in gift cards to each family that stays to help offset costs.

Also offsetting the costs for families is the pay it forward fund that Tracy and Holly started. Eventually their goal is to have a similar set up to the Ronald McDonald House where families can stay free.

For more information about the Transplant House of West Michigan, visit mitransplanthouse.org

More than 2,600 patients in Michigan are waiting for that lifesaving organ. The best way to save lives is by joining the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. To join, visit golm.org/signup.