GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — "We did it. I can't believe it."
The Transplant House of West Michigan is now open—a moment Tracy Gary and Holly Werlein-Gary have been working towards for years.
The pair was brought together by their own transplant journeys, which 13 On Your Side has been following for years.
After years of dreaming, the Transplant House will now support people in similar shoes, with discounted lodging for families of out-of-town transplant patients.
"Five months," Tracy said. "I had three LVADs, heart transplants. So I mean, I was in the hospital for a total of five months, and I only got to stay for three nights. The rest I stayed at hotels."
The couple fought tears the entire afternoon, surrounded by family, friends, and the memories of the donors that saved them.
"My donor's family is here, so that's super exciting," Holly said.
It became even more emotional when a friend surprised the pair with a $10,000 donation.
"Money's always been a tool to me, and and this is a good tool for me," Paul Plank said of the Transplant House.
Plank has always been a giver, donating his own kidney to his wife, Dianna.
"She was diagnosed with systemic lupus, and it destroyed both kidneys and her joints," Plank said. "Twenty five years later, I donated my left kidney to her, and she lived 16 years."
Dianna passed in 2020. Through the loss, Plank continues to encourage others to give back in the same way.
"That was probably the greatest feeling I've ever had. Greatest thing I've ever done," Plank said. "Hopefully others will experience the same goodness that I had."
It's a similar sentiment echoed by Holly and Tracy.
"Sign up to be an organ donor. We wouldn't be here without it. It's in memory of our donors," Holly said.
The Transplant House is located near the corner of Leonard and Fuller, not far from Medical Mile.
The home is always accepting donations through their Pay It Forward Fund. This allows some families to not pay anything at all, as every $60 raised pays for one night for someone in need.
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