Team

Bella Chaffey

President and Founder

Bella has had much experience working and volunteering for a plethora of different nonprofits all around the world throughout her lifetime and has known from a young age that nonprofit work is where her heart lies. When her younger brother, Alexander, had emergency open heart surgery and received a donor heart in the summer of 2017 she found a new cause that she realized had to be addressed more in society and that she cared deeply about, organ donation awareness and screening young hearts to try and prevent others from going through what her brother, Alexander did. Through that realization, her past nonprofit experiences, and with help from family and friends she decided to form Alexander’s Hope.

When Bella is not organizing fundraisers and spreading awareness for Alexander’s Hope, she is doing work for her job, which she loves, as a real estate broker at Windermere’s Chaffey Real Estate Team where she partners with her father, Bob Chaffey as a residential Realtor, specializing in single family homes on the Eastside.

Bella is also very active in her community, she serves on the board of Kirkland’s Rotary Club and is a member of their International Committee. She is also on the board of, and heavily involved with, two other local nonprofits, The Forgotten Children’s Fund and Gloryland Missions International.

Bella is an avid runner, competing in long-distance races all over the world, and a member of Club Northwest’s Running Group. She also loves to hike, camp, travel, read, practice yoga, cook Vegan food, renovate her her home by hand, and spend time with her two rescue pups, Toby and Pookie, and boyfriend, Nikola.

Bob Chaffey

Vice President

Bob has been building and selling homes for nearly 30 years, as a homebuilder with Chaffey Homes and more recently, a Managing Broker with Windermere Real Estate. Over the years, Chaffey Homes has won many awards, including The National Association of Home Builders Green Home of the Year, multiple MAME awards and Best of Show at luxury home events. Bob has a huge heart for children and is on the Board of Trustees for Olive Crest, a non-profit dedicated to preventing child abuse. Bob is or has been a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish counties as well as Kitsap, Pierce and Skagit counties, National Association of Home Builders, Seattle King County Association of Realtors, and National Association of Realtors and many more.

Bob is the proud father of three children, Bella, Alexander, a 2017 recipient of a donor heart and Sophia Chaffey. Bob is an avid golfer and enjoys hiking, traveling and most everything outside, he has been married to Jennifer Chaffey since 1995.

Jen Chaffey

Treasurer

Jen has been busy the past 24 years raising three kids as a stay at home mom. She has always said this is by far the hardest and most important job she will ever have. Most of her work prior to having children was in the medical field, which has always been her passion. As her kids have grown older she has had more flexibility which has allowed her to work part time over the last five years as an in-home caregiver for elderly or ill clients. Currently, Jen has a new passion, which is to spread awareness of the importance of organ donations after her son received a lifesaving heart transplant in the summer of 2017.

Lisa Carlson

Secretary

Lisa has worked in public affairs and fundraising in the Pacific

Northwest for over 20 years. Her expertise includes the areas of

event planning and execution, project management and logistics. She began her career serving the state of Washington while working in Washington, DC and went on to work as an advocate for small businesses in Olympia, WA.

In 1996, Lisa founded a fundraising and event management consulting firm to serve clients in the nonprofit, political and corporate sectors. Her recent work focuses on delivering exceptional results for partners engaged in the arts, leadership development and software industries.

While working with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for the past 13 years, Lisa has directed over $8.5 million in funds raised for cancer research. This work includes managing more than 1400 climber/fundraisers as they aspire to ascend mountain peaks across the Pacific Northwest and on four continents.

Lisa is a lifelong Washingtonian and graduated from Washington

State University. She spends her free time reading, hiking,

snowboarding and volunteering her time with organizations focused on children, cancer research and the outdoors. An adventurer at heart, she’s climbed mountains all over the world for charity, completed marathons and loves exploring beautiful terrain.

Nikola Lakic

Director of Media

Nikola graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. After spending several years working corporate communications and executive assisting C-level executives at a billion dollar company, he formed his own marketing and media agency, Lakic Creative. His love for creating is second to his enthusiasm and passion for everything he does. He currently works with small companies to create marketing materials and high quality video productions for web and social media. Nikola is an avid soccer and tennis player. He enjoys running, creating engaging content and spending time with his girlfriend, Bella Chaffey, and their two dogs, Toby and Pookie.

Nikola has helped develop all of Alexander’s Hope’s media including videos, photos and graphics while volunteering at all events!

Liz Strathy-Merrill

Board

Liz is the Vice President of Investor Services for the Sound Equity Debt Fund and Owner of Sweat Equity Gym (Seattle and San Diego) and is a personal Health/Balance Coach. She attended the University of Washington on athletic scholarship (swimming). Giving back to the community has always been hugely important to Liz. She has raised money to build 8 fresh water wells in Africa as well as a pre-school and hosted fundraisers for the Family Seal Foundation and served on the board of Childhaven for 2 terms. Liz has continued her love for sport her entire life. She has completed over 10 marathons and ultra-marathons as well as many long-distance bike races. Her passion is to combine the lessons and habits taught through sport and business to help women of all socioeconomic and physical backgrounds to truly become their very best selves. To optimize their potential and to use these gifts to change the world.

Judy Petrie

Board

Judy was born in Hong Kong and moved to the States at a young age. She attended Western Washington University. Post college, Judy was busy raising three amazing kids, Steven, Michael, and Christina. Judy is thrilled to work as a board member for Alexander’s Hope and believes it is crucially important to help others whenever possible through giving back to the world in a positive way, specifically through the ultimate gift, the gift of life. Judy not only encourages others to become organ donors, but is herself a live donor, she donated one of her kidneys a few years ago, making Alexander’s Hope that much closer to her heart.

Kathy Binder

Board

Kathy Binder serves as the board chairperson of a Kent-based high-tech manufacturing company while dedicating herself to providing underserved children the best education possible. Kathy served on the board of directors of the League of Education Voters Foundation and Stand for Children. She is a founding board member of the Washington State Charter Schools Association and served as a founding board member of one of the first local charter schools to open in the state of Washington. Kathy serves as an advisory board member for the Seattle Urban Academy, a high school for some of the highest risk children in the greater Seattle area. All of these nonprofit organizations organize their work around the principle that underserved and at-risk students deserve an equal opportunity for success in education.

Additionally to Kathy’s extensive work on nonprofit boards, she is the mother of two children and a new grandmother of a grandson and owns an aerospace company with her husband.

Alexander Chaffey

Board

Alexander is currently exploring areas of study that impassionate him. He loves writing, music, the study of animals (especially marine life), and video games. He is able to continue pursuing these passions due to the lifesaving heart transplant he received in September of 2017. An unexpected emergency following a family vacation led to him being hospitalized in August of 2017, and he was put on an artificial heart. Due to the generosity of a donor, he was able to receive a transplant remarkably quickly and that saved his life. He has made a full recovery!

Sophia Chaffey

Board

Sophia Chaffey is a student at the University of Washington. Along with studying for her undergraduate, she is part of the UW Women’s National Championship Rowing Team. When not rowing, Sophia works as a lifeguard and enjoys spending time outside hiking, swimming, and biking. Alexander’s Hope has a special place in her heart, since she witnessed Alexander’s journey firsthand. Her competitive drive and winner’s mentality makes her a strong addition to the Alexander’s Hope Board of Directors.

Margo Engberg

Board

Margo Engberg is the mother of four adopted children and is also helping raise a few of her nieces and nephews. She is the CEO and Founder of PinkaBella Cupcakes, a story that was inspired by her adopted children, who had never had a birthday party. Though running her company of five stores, and a franchise keeps her busy, her priority is her family and serving her community. Margo has served on many charity auctions as a chair member, as well as working for outreach organizations for children at risk, doing anything from serving meals to mentoring. More than anything, Margo is passionate about people, especially those in need.

Doug Engberg

Board

Doug Engberg is the father of four adopted children. He has served on numerous boards over the years, including New Horizons, Prodigals International, Breakthrough Partners, as well as involvement in Rotary. His passion is to help nonprofits flourish and grow in their mission.

Erik

Heart Transplant Recipient

Hi, my name is Erik Rodriguez, I am a heart transplant survivor.

On November 8, 2016 I started my day at work and felt chest pains and began to get anxiety attacks, which had never happened to me before. After a few hours of intense chest pain, I was told to go to the ER to get an idea as to what was causing the pain. Once I got to the ER the doctors told me my heart had enlarged to twice its size and was beating over 180 beats per minute and there was nothing they could do for me in Wenatchee, WA to save my life. Therefore, they immediately flew me out to University of Washington Medical Center. When I arrived I instantly got put into to the intensive care unit (ICU) and was on ECMO for twelve days. Once I woke up I had a total artificial heart (TAH) and every day was a new battle I had to overcome. I had a lot of good days where I would get up from bed and try to walk and bad days when I felt like giving up and dying, although with the support of my family, friends, and community they helped me to have hope and faith in myself to keep fighting. After three months of having a TAH I received great news from the doctors telling me they have found a perfect match, on January 27, 2017 I got my heart transplant. From that day forward it made me realize how blessed I was to have received a heart from someone who was an organ donor and who saved my life. This has inspired me to become an organ donor so that I also could save a life in need.

Jeff

Live Kidney Donor

I don’t do bucket lists, FB likes, or retweet something that I find inspiring. I do big things; like donating a kidney. And big things sometime make me stop and question things. It took me more than a year to figure out why I wanted to donate a kidney.

What kind of world did I want to live in? I didn’t want to just repost something from FB. I wanted to do something. I wanted to live in a world in which this is how people treated each other. I wanted change, not just with myself, but on a scale that is frightening. Change that spoke not only to the core of who we are, but also why we are here.

Did I need to be special to donate? As it was looking like I was going to be approved one of the questions my social worker asked was, “Have you told your ex-wife(mom of my kids)?” I skirted the issue, “Do I have to?” “We recommend it,” she said. I sent a text that night to my ex with the expectation that she wouldn’t understand me, or what I was doing. We had had our problems, and I figured she’d point out how wrong this was. She replied with, “That is the most incredible decision I’ve ever heard of.” At that point I realized I didn’t have to be special to donate.

I am more powerful than I realize. We can solve a lot of problems on this planet, but we haven’t solved kidney disease. I can’t drop money into a cup and expect this to be cured. It still takes another human being to help.

By the way, my one kidney donation started a chain that allowed three recipients to get kidneys. Sometimes we really are bigger than we truly realize.

Charlotte

Liver Transplant Recipient

Charlotte was diagnosed with a rare disease called Biliary Atresia ( about 1 in 15,000 babies are born with Biliary Atresia) on August 20, 2016, almost nine weeks after she was born. On August 23, 2016 she under went a 9 hour surgery called the Kasai procedure and was in the hospital for 10 days. During this procedure, surgeons carefully remove the damaged ducts outside the liver and used a small segment of the intestine to replace the ducts which allows bile to flow from the liver to the intestine. The Kasai was successful and she did well for over a year.

Then, in March 2018, Charlotte became sick again and was referred by her doctors to receive a liver transplant. On May 1, 2018 she was listed for transplant. The estimated wait time is 8 months to a year to wait for a liver.

Charlotte’s life was at risk waiting for the transplant. There are more people waiting than there are livers. This year alone, about 50 children will die waiting for a liver.

As time passed, Charlotte’s liver got worse. One day she was seemingly fine and the next she would spike a fever. On April 24, 2019 Charlotte had found herself back at the hospital.

Then, on April 30^th 2019, a few days after Charlotte had been admitted back to the hospital her and her family got the best news of their lives, a match had been found!

When Janessa, Charlotte’s Mother, got the news, she did not know whether to get sick or cry – Janessa was ecstatic that it was finally their time.

Janessa said it’s hard to put into words the gratitude they feel to the donor family who saved Charlotte’s life.

“We’re deeply sorry for their loss,” Janessa said. “It breaks our heart that they lost their loved one. We are forever grateful for the amazing gift of life that the donor has given our daughter and family.”

Janessa is excited for Charlotte’s future. They can’t wait for her to get to be a normal toddler and for her bright future ahead.

“She’s alive today thanks to the transplant,” Janessa said. “She has a long life ahead of her now.”

Mari

Heart Transplant Recipient

Because of a generous donor I am alive! My name is Mari, and on June 14th, 2016 I was blessed with the gift of life- I received a new heart from a donor and their family. In 2015, my role in life was being a mom to my beautiful boys Andrew & Matthew, wife to my husband Jim of 28 years, a daughter, a sister, Aunt and friend to many. I was an active woman, I liked to jog, hike with my dog Marley, boat and enjoying life to its fullest. I noticed I was feeling sluggish and I was not breathing very well. I attended many appointments with various doctors. Then, on June 13, 2015, I had my first EKG which detected my heart was in bad shape. Because of the condition my heart was in, they rushed me to the ER. For the next year it was specialist after specialist, test after test, many different biopsies and many kinds of medication to keep me alive, all while the tests and biopsies came back inconclusive. As each day passed my heart grew weaker and weaker. Little did I know or any doctors know, I had an extremely rare auto immune disease called Sarcoidosis, which was killing my heart. Without a gift of life from a donor, I would not make it much longer. On June 13, at 10:10pm I received the call that they had found a match for me. It is a bitter sweet story, another person passed and I have been given another chance at life to fulfill my dreams. Each day I give thanks for this blessing by thanking my donor for this opportunity to love, laugh and live. My family and I would like to say thank you to all of those who are donors today!

Dani

A New Donor

I had never been an organ donor due to an illogical fear of it. However, when my 19-year-old cousin needed an emergency heart transplant, I realized how imperative organ donation is. Due to the generosity of that one donor, my cousin is able to live- which is the best gift our family will ever receive. Needless to say, I have chosen to become an organ donor and would encourage everyone else to as well, the decision is well worth the lives you will save.

Cameron

Organ Donor

God’s plan for Cameron’s life has always been in his timing. While pregnant with Cameron, I went into labor three times before his due date. On November 16th, Cameron was born three weeks early. A week after bringing him home, he was hospitalized with critically high levels of bilirubin. After being in the hospital for a week, I could finally bring my baby boy home and watch him grow into an extraordinary young man.

Beginning at a young age, Cameron was spontaneous, full of energy, and looking for adventure. He was calculated in his decisions but challenged those around him with his high energy and lack of fear. Cameron had his guardian angels working overtime to keep him safe! His quest for adventure included a passion for fast toys; some of which included snowmobiles, motocross bikes, and racing remote control cars. As you can imagine, I was one of those mothers who worried that my son would get hurt every time he was out doing the things he loved.

—

On the evening of June 28th, 2018 my worst fear became a reality when we received a life-changing phone call from a local sheriff. When I arrived at the hospital that night, everything quickly unfolded in front of me. It was like a bad dream. I just wanted someone to wake me up from this nightmare. I wanted everything to be just as it was before. I couldn’t wake up. It wasn’t a dream. My son was in a car accident and he was brain dead. This was not what I imagined God’s plan for Cameron’s life to be. I pictured him getting married, having children, and being a successful construction manager. Although I was experiencing unimaginable pain, a miracle was about to take place. Cameron was an organ donor. Even though we were losing our son, he would be giving life back to others.

As we sat in the hospital room with Cameron, the brightest rainbow we ever saw filled the sky; all without a sign of rain. At that exact moment, we knew what God’s plan for Cameron was. God blessed Cameron with so many wonderful characteristics, but the greatest of them was his heart. I believe that God kept Cameron alive after his accident so that his heart could be donated. God knew that a heart like his still had way too much love to give. Cameron’s heart was filled with kindness, compassion, and a love that made everyone around him feel appreciated. I can proudly say that Cameron’s heart now beats inside the chest of a 30-year-old man from Iowa, who I hope to meet someday. I know this man will continue blessing those around him because he had Cameron’s heart.

As days, weeks, and now months continue to pass, one miracle after another has taken place through Cameron’s donations. His life continues to bless others and our family has found peace knowing that he continues to live on; that God’s plan for Cameron is complete. By sharing Cameron’s story, I aim to spread hope and educate others on donor ship. In memory of Cameron, crosses will be sent to those in need of peace and comfort.

Reece

Heart Transplant Recipient

A year-and-a-half after having a complete heart transplant, Reece Chambers, a lieutenant with East Jefferson Fire Rescue, heard the tones for a structure fire down the road from the Chimacum Fire Station.

Hopping up into the cab of his fire truck, he was both excited and extremely nervous. This was the first structure fire he would be fighting since his surgery.

“I was so nervous,” he said. “I looked down at my heart and I said, ‘Let’s go, Kevin.’”

Kevin was the name of the man whose heart now beats unfailingly inside Chambers’ chest.

“I feel like he’s with me,” Chambers said. “There are two guys in this body, and we’re doing life together now.”

Chambers, who is 42, is the first firefighter in Washington state to have a heart transplant and pass the physical exam required to return to full-time firefighting.

Having worked for East Jefferson Fire Rescue since 2004, he has now been back in the line of duty for a month after a turbulent two years of medical leave.

Early on in his career, he was hospitalized with heart problems, but was able to make a recovery and continue working. But due to constant exposure to chemicals and smoke on the job, his heart problems worsened over time.

Chambers was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a condition that caused his heart to have trouble pumping blood like it’s supposed to, which in turn caused the heart to enlarge and weaken.

“At some point your heart is so large it can’t even pump at all, it just kind of quivers,” he said.

His arms and legs would lose feeling when he slept, he had shortness of breath and would faint if he stood up too fast. And after particularly intense calls at work, he would have relapses that called for hospital visits.

“I felt like crap all the time,” he said. “It was a miserable existence.”

But Chambers didn’t want to give up his dream job.

“I faked it for all the guys back then,” he said. “I didn’t want to be the weak link. I’d come to work and I’d do my best and then I’d come home and fall apart.”

Eventually, he was put on light duty. But when he couldn’t even sit at a desk and do paperwork anymore, doctors said he needed to be hospitalized and needed a heart transplant.

At the UW Medical Center, doctors prepared Chambers to be on life support while his name was added to the transplant waitlist.

“They don’t give transplants to people who won’t be dead within the next six months,” Chambers said.

The transplant

According to the UW Medical Center website, since July of 2018 there were 38 people on the heart transplant waitlist. Since 2018, 84 people have received transplants.

Chambers was lucky: nearly 40 days after being put on the waitlist, he was getting prepped for surgery. Only 10% of people get a transplant after 30 days of waiting, according to the UW Medical Center. Seventy-three percent of people served at UW wait three years for a transplant.

As he was wheeled to the operation room, he high-fived his four kids who were there with him.

He and his family were excited, despite worrying about the intense surgery.

“I’m a fireman. I looked it up,” he said. “I saw what they were going to do and it’s brutal. But I was excited. I was so tired of being sick.”

Chambers went under as surgeons made an incision in his chest, separated his chest bone and opened his rib cage to begin the transplant. Removing his weakened heart, they sewed the donor heart into place, attaching the major blood vessels.

The heart, which began beating once the blood flow was restored, had belonged to a 42-year-old man named Kevin Irby. He had died just days before, according to his older sister Shana Irby. The cause of his death was unknown—he had stopped breathing mysteriously while taking a shower—but his body had been healthy enough for transplant.

Knowing her brother’s heart helped Chambers live didn’t soften the blow of losing her brother, Shana Irby said, but it was extremely meaningful.

“He had the kindest heart,” she said. “Genuinely all he wanted out of life was to help other people. This is what he would have wanted.”

Irby was a carpenter who built cabins, Shana said. He had two kids, who are now 7 and 3 years old. He was the youngest in the family, with three older sisters, and at the time of his death, lived with his parents in Yakima.

Chambers, who is now the same age Irby was when he died, said he feels a connection to his donor and has been in contact with the family.

“It’s a very complicated relationship,” he said. “We have this joy, but there is also this sorrow and tragedy. I lost my brother at a young age, so I feel like I can identify with the pain of losing someone before their time.”

Irby’s family was glad to know his donation was able to help not just Chambers, but other people in need of kidneys and other organs as well.

“We’re a family of faith, so we believe that when he was gone, he’s really not here anymore,” she said. “But knowing that my brother helped so many people, it doesn’t necessarily set us at ease, but it’s a blessing.”

Back to duty

With a new heart beating steadily in his chest, Chambers had his mind on one thing and one thing only: getting back to firefighting.

But recovering from a heart transplant is no small thing. And getting back in firefighting shape was an even larger battle.

“There’s in-shape and then there’s in firefighting shape,” said EJFR Chief Jim Walkowski.

Because Chambers’ heart condition was a direct result of exposure in his job, the Department of Labor and Industries paid for all his medical expenses. He also worked with L&I vocational rehab counselor John Janson to make goals to work toward.

“We had a Plan B and a Plan C for Reece to be able to still work with us, but in some other position,” Walkowski said. “But he only wanted Plan A.”

But before Chambers could start working on getting back into firefighting shape, he had to learn how to sit up and walk again.

“I don’t know if there are words to adequately capture the suffering you go through and the willpower it takes to recover from something like that,” he said.

Getting the strength to first sit up, then to walk, to run, to carry hoses, to climb stairs wearing weights and to eventually have a firefighter’s stamina took what felt like an excruciatingly long time.

In the meantime, Chambers also dealt with the emotional weight of having gone through such major health issues. He and his wife separated due to the stress. He had to go back to the hospital several times. He had nausea, headaches, and times when he thought he might quit. And the first time he took the physical examination to return to firefighting, he didn’t pass.

But despite the many setbacks, he kept working.

“I was so sick for so long,” he said. “I wanted my life back. I wanted to be the husband that my wife deserved. I wanted to be the dad my kids could be proud of. And I wanted to be the firefighter I had always dreamed of being.”

Finally, his work paid off. Now that he’s back on duty, Chief Walkowski said Chambers is better than ever at his job.

“It’s like Reece 2.0,” he said. “He’s back. Most of us have never seen him like this before.”

The heart that Chambers received combined with his determination to get back at work has him feeling better than ever—he says he’s more in shape than he was back when he was a 20-year-old.

Not only that, but even though he’s the same person, he feels the surgery transformed him.

“Obviously it changes you,” he said. “You examine yourself and your life when something that big happens. But I think it made me more of the guy I’ve always wanted to be.”

Article written by:

Lily Haight
lhaight@ptleader.com

https://ptleader.com/stories/reece-20-firefighter-returns-to-duty-after-heart-transplant,67588

Tito

Knee Donation Recipient

Tito first began having knee discomfort as a kid, which was not ideal for his active lifestyle which included sports such as his favorite, volleyball. He was later diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) which is a condition where one’s bones don’t grow as fast as the rest of the body. Growing so fast and playing a variety of sports did not help with the problem. In high school, doctors suggested to stop running and jumping as it was not helping the problem at hand. After a couple of surgeries, Tito made the switch from volleyball to rowing, although knee issues persisted.

Tito began his freshman year at Gonzaga in 2015 as a member of the Cheer Team, although was forced to resign after continuous knee discomfort. During the second half of his freshman year, Tito was put on a waiting list for a cadaver knee replacement. The waiting list process was something special as a matching knee needed to be from someone with 50% of the same antibodies. During this time, Tito was unable to travel because the surgery must take place within five days of a match being found. After waiting about 6 months, he finally received a call from a doctor with news of a match. Tito says, “waiting for the phone call was a bitter sweet thing – when you are waiting for the call it’s a paradox because although you know the knee will help better your own life, you know someone else is losing their life.”

Two days after the phone call, Tito underwent Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation (OCA) surgery which is when they take a piece of the cadaver knee and place it in the recipients. The surgery is extremely invasive due to the necessary reconstruction process of the knee including ligaments and tendons which left a large scar running down the side of Tito’s knee. Due to the necessary 6-week healing process the surgery was almost unable to happen before returning to school. Tito remembers the doctor saying they could only wait about two more weeks to find a matching donor and the call came during the second week.

After the surgery, Tito was able to write a letter to the family of the donor expressing his appreciation. Due to the anonymous design of the donation process, he does not know the family by name as the letter was sent through the donor matching system. He is thankful for this opportunity and believes it allowed him to develop closure. Although he did not return to the cheer team, Tito continues to live an active lifestyle after surgery. Throughout the rest of his college career he competed in numerous intramural sports as well has joining the club volleyball team. His knee donation allows him to continue living an active lifestyle to this day.

Annette

Kidney Transplant Recipient

In April of 2004, Annette Naylor got news most never do, she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, in other words, bone marrow cancer. Because of the affects the multiple myeloma had on Annette and her body, she was forced to begin dialysis treatments which she underwent three days a week. Because of this new found normal for Annette, she was forced to leave her job at a local grocery store’s meat counter, resulting in the loss of a source of income for her family.

Eight months after her initial diagnosis, she was lucky enough to be announced in remission. Despite being in remission, however, Annette still required dialysis. Although she still required these treatments, Annette was stable enough to be a visitor to alternative dialysis units which allowed her to take a vacation to Hawaii with her family during this time. Additionally, because of her kidney stability, her doctor was able to cut down her dialysis from three to two times a week. Although it was only a one day difference, this made for a large difference in Annette’s day to day life.

After six years of dialysis, Annette’s nephrologists suggested she investigate the possibility of applying for a kidney transplant. After her application, Annette was accepted as a candidate. From there Annette began to look for a donor. She approached her three sisters, however, none of them were able to donate.

It was at this point in Annette’s transplant journey that her sister-in-law volunteered to be tested as a possible donor. The results came back, and Annette’s sister-in-law was an extremely close match. On November 22, 2011, they were admitted to OHSU where the transplant took place and was a major success.

Since the transplant, Annette and her kidney function have remained stable, and her life has changed in many ways. Annette is extremely grateful to everyone who assisted in her journey, especially to her sister-in-law for her tremendous donation.

Adrianna

A New Donor

We don’t like to talk about sickness. It’s something we don’t really think about until it directly effects us or someone we love. And for that reason we often take our health for granted. My mom’s cancer diagnosis was the wake up call I wish I didn’t need, but it brought to light the gift that was my health.

When I turned 16, I registered to become an organ donor, as an act of gratitude towards my health and empathy towards those who are less fortunate than I am.

It shouldn’t take the fear of losing someone you love to become a donor. Being an organ donor is more than just to do with your body, it’s a way of honoring those who fight a battle that you don’t have to. Knowing that I could have the ability to save someone’s life—and its reminder of the value that my life holds—has given me so much pride. I encourage all those around me to make the most of that opportunity too.

Erin

Kidney Transplant Recipient

Hello, my name is Erin! I was born with congenital heart disease and Chronic Kidney Disease. I have had 4 open heart surgeries and 2 kidney transplants in my 31 years of life.

My first heart surgery was at just 4 days old and my first kidney transplant was in 2004, when I was 16 years old. That kidney was from a living donor, my mom! 💜

In late 2016 my kidney ended up failing and in June of 2017 I started PD dialysis but after almost exactly a year of PD, I was forced to get a CVC catheter and start Hemo-dialysis. I began my very tough journey on hemo-dialysis for 1 1/2 years.

In November of 2019 I received my second kidney transplant through a paired chain donation with 8 people involved, which included my dad! 💜

I am currently 8 months post transplant and am doing amazing!! I couldn’t be more grateful to have gone through what I have throughout my life because all these challenges have made me who I am today!

My passion is to bring awareness to organ donation. I would not be alive today if it wasn’t for these amazing people signing up to be an organ donor!

Bob

Heart Transplant Recipient

Trust Babe, I tell myself whenever anxiety surrounds me. And with the whole world on pause together in this moment and anxiety running rampant, I can’t help but feel like this is a repeat, one year later, of my breathless wait for a heart.

I partnered with Babe in June 2019.

We’ve never met in person. She is a complete mystery. But she has been my rock-solid foundation for the full year we have been partners.

I first heard about Babe’s heart in the wee hours of the morning after Father’s Day. I was handed a phone and a distant voice simply said the words that changed my world forever:

“I am calling to offer you a heart. It is a good heart. Do you want to accept it?”

I did. I christened her ‘Babe’ in the hours post-surgery while my mind was coming off some heavy sedation. And she has filled my life with new beginnings. New adventures. New possibilities.

You see, in the fall of 2017, I suffered a horrific heart arrhythmia event that kicked me into a cardiac intensive care unit for a week and changed the quality of my life drastically. My normal world came to a screeching halt. My body would no longer sustain the activities that I loved: hiking, biking, fishing, running, canoeing, and so much more. Let me just say the 18 months following the failed heart were not always grand.

But do not get me wrong — I have always felt extremely blessed by all I have done, by everything I have experienced, by the things I have gathered, and by the life I have lived. Wonderful friends, fabulous family, and dear loved ones surrounded me always. And without those supporting lifelines, I could not have gotten through the past few years.

But Babe is different. She brought me back to life. Literally.

Life in those 18 months before Babe is now a distant memory filled with magical moments and hard times. But with Babe came brighter colors, clearer thoughts, deeper breaths. True moments of life like I had not experienced in many years.

I have heard that a vessel must first be emptied before it can be refilled. In my case, that is one hundred percent correct. My world had to completely bottom out before I was ready to accept the unbelievable gift that is Babe. She proved to be an act of pure love by a perfect stranger.

In truth, I know nothing about Babe. Personal information about a donor is kept private and completely anonymous. Race, religion, politics, sexual orientation are all equal in the world of organ donations. The only thing I do know is that Babe was once someone’s baby, friend and family member. She is now an angel. I am now responsible for the care of someone else’s child that lives inside me. I will shepherd Babe forever and ever. We are partners for life.

Over the past twelve months, we have hiked up Tom’s Thumb in Scottsdale, participated in the 25-mile Velocity bike ride in NYC, canoed the Delaware River, hosted my kid’s 30th birthday celebration, walked the length of Coney Island, and joined a family reunion in Pennsylvania together. We have fished Shohola Falls, watched spring arrive in the Catskills, planted window boxes with my wife, and trod every block of the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Central Park, and Riverside, too.

In short, Babe has let me return to a full life of activities that we do as one.

She gave me this. But besides rebooting my life, she has taught me to live better, to be a better person. I will remain forever humbled and grateful for the care I received during this journey. Care from doctors, nurses, staff, orderlies, fellow patients, and those folks still waiting on the transplant list. I especially honor and cherish the angels who have donated organs to ease the suffering of those in need. Thank you.

We each have our individual adventures. Same as we each have our personal lives and loves and trials and heartbreaks. It is our singular life to live. But with a partner like Babe, I am more than myself. I am we.

Trust Babe, I think with each strong heartbeat. Especially in times of uncertainty. Whenever there is doubt.

-Bob Hoshour

Read Bob’s full article here.

Aimee

Live Kidney Donor

At the end of 2018, I made the decision to donate a kidney to my mother and our date was set for the 21 May 2019. The reason behind my decision was that her hearts function started dropping as a result of fluid build up on her lungs, because of Peritoneal dialysis. This meant the lower her function the more likely she would be taken off the waiting list.

I always considered myself as an option but at the time of her diagnosis (2015) I had just started with my studies, and my parents wanted me to see it through. Between her initial diagnosis and the day she received confirmation on a date, many donors came forward of which none were successful. All until the Lord planned it in such a way, that my mother was to receive a kidney from her daughter who she birthday 25 years ago. His hand was in it all from the time of her initial diagnosis, and He is still with her today. What joy I feel knowing that a year later, my mother is by my side living her best life, dialysis free

Going through this process in my country (South Africa) I felt very alone, as much attention was focused on my mother as the kidney recipient. During my time of being worked up as a donor, I so much wished that I had someone to talk to, someone who could share their experience with me and clear up the questions I had about pre and post donation. Someone who could tell me…what is life like living with only one kidney? In the days after the operation I reflected back on the mental and emotional state I had found myself in: lonely, anxious, afraid, numb. I suddenly felt a deep desire to share my experience, to let someone else know what is life like with one kidney. I wanted to use my story as a living kidney donor to bring about awareness, support and hope for those going through or wanting to go through with kidney donation. It was with that deep desire that I created a platform on Instagram (@youngkidneydonors) to share my story, so that others may be educated, feel supported and share with me their own experiences. So that bit by bit each one of us can bring about hope by reaching someone out there who May feel moved to share their spare. Because there is nothing in this life, that is more rewarding and fulfilling than knowing you have significantly improved the quality and longevity of someone else’s life.

Evan

Heart Transplant Recipient

Hi, my name is Evan Kentile and I am a heart transplant survivor.

I was born with a congenital heart defect which made my heart take up 75 percent of my chest cavity. After they finally found a heart I had the transplant. My survival rate was low and first taken minute by minute, then hour by hour, day by day and so on.

Things haven’t always been easy, but now being 24 you get used to it. My outlet since I can’t play any sports, and I’m not interested in that anyway, has always been music. I love music, it’s my life. I’m a singer, song writer and drummer. Music has always helped me get through all my surgeries and procedures I need to do. I love writing songs for my brother and I’s band, The Survivors.

Music is everything to me and makes me really happy. Also, having a heart transplant has allowed me to do many cool things. I was able to go onstage with one of my favorite bands Breaking Benjamin and I also have met another one of my all time favorite bands, Green Day. None of that would have happened if it wasn’t for what I’ve been through. So yes, a lot of the medical stuff I have been through and still go through isn’t fun, but sometimes it is worth it, because I get to do many cool things that some people sadly won’t be able to do.

Ben

Cardiac Nurse

After graduating from Gonzaga University in May 2019, Ben became a registered nurse and decided to return home to Seattle as he started working at Swedish Hospital. By choosing the cardiac floor as the starting location for his career, he aimed to help a wide variety of people of all ages.

In under a year Ben has worked at Swedish, Ben says he has worked with over 50 people under the age of 30.

Cardiac problems can happen to anyone, at any age. As a recent college graduate, Ben says he has worked with people his own age and even younger. Although living a healthy lifestyle can sometimes help deter cardiac problems, that does not mean they will not happen. Many cardiac problems are caused by hereditary issues which are not changed by our lifestyle.

By starting his career on the cardiac floor, Ben is open to opportunities anywhere in his future because cardiac research and care is relevant everywhere in the world. Although there is already a tremendous amount of cardiac research currently happening, there could definitely be more. There needs to be more awareness for cardiac problems as it is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Ben recommends getting annual heart checkups which could help spot an underlying heart condition that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Patti

Cornea Transplant Recipient

As a pharmacist, mother of three, wife, and so, so much more, Patti knew that when she noticed her vision starting to deteriorate, that she needed to do something about it.

She found herself going into her optometrist quite often, as often as every six months, for a new prescription. From there, she assumed that lasik might be the best fix, so she tracked down the same optometrist that did her brother’s lasik. From there, she soon discovered that lasik would not be an option and that something was seriously wrong with her eyes.

After going in for a consultation with a cornea specialist, Patti was diagnosed with Fuch’s Dystrophy, a hereditary condition that causes one’s vision to deteriorate and typically doesn’t result in the need for a transplant until someone reaches their 60’s or 70’s. When someone has Fuch’s Dystrophy, their corneas begin to thicken causing vision impairment and eventual blindness. When Patti had received her diagnosis, she was almost completely blind in her left eye.

At the age of 45, Patti underwent a corneal transplant in her left eye. 9 years later she underwent a transplant in her right eye. Initially after the transplant, Patti took four eye drops regularly to help ensure her eyes remained in good condition.

She is forever grateful to the two people who decided to sign up as organ and tissue donors, without them, she would not still have her sight.

Justin

A New Donor

I desire to be an organ donor because I recognize the shortage there is in the medical field. Thousands of people are stuck on long waitlists for organ transplants because there are not enough organs for all the people that need them. If my organs can be used to save any one of the lives on those long lists, I am more than happy to do so, and I urge others to do so also.

If a majority of the country donates organs, there are thousands of lives that can be saved, and people can stop fearing that they will wait in line until their last breath.

Pamela

Live Kidney and Liver Donor

In March of 2018, I tipped the scales at 297 pounds. At only 5’2, this made me obese, to say the least. Overweight my entire life, I struggled to maintain a healthy relationship with food.

On March 27, as I reflected on a photo my daughter took of me, I thought about my future. I thought about where my poor health would lead, and I knew it was no where good. So I made a decision. I was determined to start watching what I ate, workout, and get my life on track for the first time ever.

Fast forward to August. I had lost around 70 pounds at that point and was feeling better than I ever had. As I scrolled Facebook I came upon a post from a former HS classmate with a link to the transplant institute saying she was in Stage 4 Kidney failure and needed a living donor. This was something that always appealed to me, but being overweight, wasn’t something I thought I would be able to do. So I reached out and said I’d like to try.

Within a week, I had been tested and then got amazing news…I was a match! But sadly the transplant institute said I was still too overweight. My potential recipient had been told she would have to start dialysis around the beginning of the year, and she adamantly did not want to. This was my “why”. This was my drive to step up my weight loss. So I did just that.

By December 2018 I had lost a total of 150 pounds, and I donated to her two days after Christmas. Many say I saved her life, but really, she saved mine too!

The experience was so personally rewarding I thought, why not do it again? So in November 2019 I started the process of being tested to donate part of my liver. I received word that I got approved within a few months!

On June 4, 2020 I donated 70% of my liver altruistically. I may never meet my liver recipient, but to know I was able to give yet another person a second chance at life is a feeling like no other!

.

Heather

Registered Donor

Although she has acted as a donor on a smaller scale, the donations, and her willingness to give still, is what sets Heather apart from the rest. As a donor, Heather has given blood, as well as added her name to the database of those signed up for Be The Match as a potential bone marrow donor. Heather’s first donation came on her college campus. As she was on her way home from class one day, she saw a sign in passing advertising a blood drive on campus, so she decided to stop in, and next thing you know, she was in the chair giving blood. Heather is a firm believer that donating blood is such an easy way to help so many people, so why would you not step up if you are able to. Although she has not yet been called by Be The Match, Heather knows that upon receiving that call, if she ever does, she would be eager to make her way to the hospital to help in saving someone’s life. Heathers responses to the interview regarding this piece were rather casual, and when asked why, she simply expressed that the people in need of her donation are going through battles far worse than she could ever imagine having to endure herself, thus making it an easy decision for her in the end to help restore, or improve, someone’s quality of life.

Sarah

Liver Transplant Recipient

When I was 3 months old I was diagnosed with Biliary Artesia, a disease that affects the liver and makes the body unable to remove the toxins out of the liver . So fast forward to when I was 14 up until then I was doing fine with not many major problems except for a few setbacks here and there . 14 is the age where I had to leave school I started getting fatigued all the time and couldn’t function as well anymore, my energy was gone . I was put on the transplant list in one state and then I moved to where I am now which is where I received my life saving gift at 18 years old . I am 22 now and this has been the best year of my life I’ve gone to college, gotten my GED, and so many other things. I’m so blessed everyday and thankful for my second chance.

Michelle

Liver Transplant Recipient

In April 2018, organ donation saved my life. For years I had unknowingly suffered with an undiagnosed liver disease that was slowly putting me into liver failure. By the time I was diagnosed, my health had dramatically deteriorated to the point of needing a transplant. I was blessed to receive a liver from another young woman who had lost her life earlier that day. I’m forever grateful for her parents who said “yes” to save the lives of many.

Louise

Liver Transplant Recipient

I developed acute fatty liver of pregnancy at 37 weeks. It is a genetic disorder and that if not caught can cause mass organ failure. Unfortunately my illness was negligently not caught in time and I lost my beautiful son and daughter Mia and Leo. I was in intensive care and the team at the next hospital were able to find me a donor liver in 8 hours! It is a long road to recovery both psychologically and physically but we are starting to live life to the fullest and I will always remember my donor.

Amanda

Liver Transplant Recipient

At 23 years old, I was a newlywed adjusting to life in the south after growing up in rural Pennsylvania. It was then that I was suddenly in need of a liver transplant due to a rare disease called PSC (Primary Scleorsing Cholangitis). Through a long series of events and tests, I eventually went the living donor route and was fortunate to match with my high school friend, Madalyn. Madalyn selflessly offered to donate to me after I had been sitting stagnant on the transplant waiting list for about 6 months. In August of 2015, we had our life-saving and life-altering surgeries. I am happy and thankful to say that we are both doing well today. I live a generally normal life with routine labs, daily medications to keep my new liver happy and healthy, and an immense appreciation for life.

Hannah

Heart Transplant Recipient

Before December 2018 I was completely well, with no history of any major issues. But by the end of 2018, I thought I had developed a chest infection which soon led to symptoms of Norovirus. In the space of 4 weeks the GP had prescribed me three lots of antibiotics but nothing was helping. By mid-January, my breathing had got so shallow, I could barely walk without being out of breath and the vomiting had not relented. I went to A and E and after a few tests, I was asked if I had ever had a heart attack or ever seen a heart specialist. I was terrified. They rushed me to CCU and the next day they informed me that I was in heart failure and I would need to start taking beta blockers and an ace inhibitor drug but that after another month or so off work, I should be O.K. It was a shock, but I was alive and they were hopeful that with the medication I would be able to lead a relatively ‘normal’ life.

Sadly, this wasn’t to be. I crashed on the medication and went downhill almost instantly. Luckily the hospital were already in contact with a specialist heart and lung centre who advised them to put me on to an IV isotope drug and to transfer me to this specialist hospital. I had my first journey in an ambulance, blue lighted the whole way and was settled in to my new home.

I had every test possible to determine what had gone wrong. It came down to Dilated Cardiomyopathy – my heart was enlarged, scarred and barely pumping enough blood around my body. My consultants concluded that it must have happened because of a viral infection; even though there was no way to prove this as the biopsy showed that there was no sign of infection anymore, it was the only option left.

After having an ICD fitted and a week and half on tablet medication at home, it was decided that this was not the way forward. I got increasingly sicker really quickly when not in hospital and they pulled me back in to see what other methods could be used to ‘fix’ me.

I was officially placed on the urgent heart transplant list. This was it, the only answer to keep me alive; to let me live, someone else had to die. Of course, this was a lot to get our heads around. I had been completely well 4 months ago. And now I was dying. I had the best support from friends and family and they are what kept me going throughout this ordeal but I obviously would not still be here, writing this, living my life, without the person who was selfless enough to donate their organs when their time came.

Six weeks after being listed, I received the greatest gift I will ever receive in my entire life. My recovery has been slow and steady and 16 months later I’m feeling fantastic and enjoying the time I have.

I will be forever grateful for this second chance at life.

Taylor Nevells

Communications Manager

I recently graduated from University of Colorado – Boulder with a degree in Strategic Communication and am excited to contribute my communication and creative skills to Alexander’s Hope! I grew up in Pennsylvania, but have lived in Colorado for four years now. In my free time, find me in the mountains with my two dogs, Ellie and Koda, or creating digital art for fun!

Elise Van Deventer

Events Communication Manager

I am the Events Communications Manager. I am working on finishing up the last few weeks of my Bachelor of Arts in Communication from San Diego State University, although I am currently living in Seattle with my parents due to COVID. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in some form of communications, social media, or public relations. I am also working as a part time nanny. When I am not doing school, working on my internship position, or nannying, I spend time outside, get takeout from restaurants around the Seattle area, or hang out with my family, including my adorable one year old kitten, Smokey.

Clarice Tume

Social Media Manager

I recently graduated for the University of Wisconsin Stout with a degree in Professional Communications and Emerging Media. I am excited to grow more in this field and be apart of the Alexander’s Hope team! I grew up in Minnesota and I enjoy watching YouTube and hanging out with friends.

Davis Hoover

E-Commerce Manager

My name is Davis Hoover and I am a Senior at Gonzaga University studying Business Administration. In my free time I enjoy running, biking and going on adventures with friends! I am very excited to continue as a part of the Alexander’s Hope team after my internship last summer and help spread awareness of organ donation and undiagnosed heart conditions in young adults!

Amanda Goh

Executive Intern

Amanda Goh is a student at San Francisco State University studying Business Marketing and Hospitality and Tourism Management. On campus she is involved in a national sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma, where she took on roles such as Risk Management Chair, Member at Large, and helped with the social media page. During her free time, she likes to hike, go to the beach, do yoga, watch movies, and work on building her website. As a recent addition, she is excited to know more about Alexander’s Hope and to be working with the team!

Forbes Giovanni Aggabao

Communications Assistant Intern

Hi, My name is Forbes Giovanni Aggabao and I am a student at UW Seattle hoping to major in Finance. I’m an avid outdoorsman and love to ski and backpack. I’m passionate about politics and entrepreneurship and I hope that I can make an impact in this world and help others achieve their goals.

Emma Koehler

V-Day Dash Intern

My name is Emma. I am a student at UW studying HR, Marketing, International Business, and French. I love to travel as it aligns with my career goals, but I am from Spokane, WA and love getting out in the PNW!

Team

Intern (TEAM) Testimonials

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Taylor Nevells

Communications Manager

Elise Van Deventer

Events Communication Manager

Clarice Tume

Social Media Manager

Davis Hoover

E-Commerce Manager

Amanda Goh

Executive Intern

Forbes Giovanni Aggabao

Communications Assistant Intern

Emma Koehler

V-Day Dash Intern

Bella Chaffey

President and Founder

Bob Chaffey

Vice President

Jen Chaffey

Treasurer

Lisa Carlson

Secretary

Nikola Lakic

Director of Media

Liz Strathy-Merrill

Board

Judy Petrie

Board

Kathy Binder

Board

Alexander Chaffey

Board

Sophia Chaffey

Board

Margo Engberg

Board

Doug Engberg

Board

Erik

Heart Transplant Recipient

Jeff

Live Kidney Donor

Charlotte

Liver Transplant Recipient

Mari

Heart Transplant Recipient

Dani

A New Donor

Cameron

Organ Donor

Reece

Heart Transplant Recipient

Tito

Knee Donation Recipient

Annette

Kidney Transplant Recipient

Adrianna

A New Donor

Erin

Kidney Transplant Recipient

Bob

Heart Transplant Recipient

Aimee

Live Kidney Donor

Evan

Heart Transplant Recipient

Ben

Cardiac Nurse

Patti

Cornea Transplant Recipient

Justin

A New Donor

Pamela

Live Kidney and Liver Donor

Heather

Registered Donor

Sarah