Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Witty.
Ross, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2011, our 12-year-old daughter, Kimmy, was diagnosed with a rare genetic kidney disorder called Nephronophthisis. At the time we found out, her kidneys were only functioning at 20%. Up until then, Kimmy had been very active in athletics and school activities, and in the blink of an eye, her life was forever changed. Doctors told us that with a change in her diet and medications, she should be able to maintain her health for a while, but more than likely she would need a kidney transplant somewhere down the road. Three months later, the doctors said that she would need that transplant sooner than later. My wife Cheryl and I were the first to be tested as a possible match, and while both of us were a match, we learned that I was the only one that could safely undergo the procedure. On November 21st, 2011, doctors removed my left kidney and transplanted it into Kimmy. Being a family of faith, we knew that this was happening to us for a reason – we encouraged Kimmy to get involved in the various children’s transplant support groups and summer camps over the next few years, but she just wasn’t ready.
After coming back from a church camp in the summer of 2016, Kimmy approached Cheryl and I and said she was ready to tell her story and use it to help kids going through the same thing she went through. After prayer and many discussions, we felt the calling to start a nonprofit that could do just that. In July of 2017, we officially launched Children’s Transplant Initiative (CTI). CTI’s mission statement is as follows: “Children’s Transplant Initiative will empower, inspire, and bring hope to children and their families who are involved in the transplant process by providing spiritual, emotional, and financial support”. CTI’s first program is called “Hope Lifeline”, a mentorship program to build strong relationships as we walk alongside organ recipients, donors, and caregivers from the moment they first hear “Your child needs a life-saving organ transplant. Our second program is “Family Assistance”, where we provide direct financial support to families to help cover the things that you don’t consider when going through the process – things such as food, gas, parking, lodging, medicines, and co-pays. Our third is “Donor Awareness”, a program to provide education on saving lives through organ donation. CTI has partnered with several donor advocate organizations in Houston and we assist in helping people register to become organ donors. CTI’s vision is to open one of the few pediatric transplant hospitality houses in the country, in close proximity to the Texas Medical Center, for children and their families to stay at while awaiting or recovering from a transplant. The hospitality house will be called “Kimmy’s Kottage”, in honor of our hero.
CTI works with the social workers at both children’s hospitals in the Texas Medical Center which refer families in need. To date, CTI has been able to provide assistance of some sort to about 60 families. We were introduced to Steve and Shelly Brewer, the owners of Express Corporate Housing, who have a huge heart for kids. Through their generosity and other fundraising efforts, CTI is currently operating (4) 2 bedroom/2 bathroom, fully furnished hospitality apartments for out of town guests to use while having to be at the medical center. The apartments are less than a mile from the children’s hospitals, and families stay in the apartments free of charge. We continue to be humbled as God works in and through us to provide hope to fellow pediatric transplant families.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has truly been a leap of faith – starting out, we were not sure where funding would come from, but we knew we could mentor families without requiring funds. We also knew taking small steps and just doing the next thing would keep us focused on where we could make the biggest impact. As we began to share our vision, we were overwhelmed by the support of family and friends, and the pediatric transplant community. At this point, CTI’s biggest challenge is securing funding for Kimmy’s Kottage, but we trust in God’s plan, provision, and timing as we move forward.
Please tell us about Children’s Transplant Initiative.
Children’s Transplant Initiative is a 501(c)3, providing support for children and their families while going through the transplant journey. Our programs are:
* Hope Lifeline
* Family Assistance Program
* Organ Donor Awareness
* Hospitality Housing – “R” Rooms (Rest, Relax, Recover) Hospitality Apartments
We are most proud of our Hospitality Program, being able to provide no-cost housing to pediatric transplant families from out of town.
We are one of the few organizations in the country that focuses solely on the pediatric transplant community.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
There are so many, but mostly spending the summers on vacation with family and friends, attending sporting events at the Astrodome in the ’60s and ’70s, opening fresh packs of baseball cards and eating the pink slab of gum.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cti-tx.org
- Phone: 281-615-0535
- Email: ross@cti-tx.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childrenstransplantinitiative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/childrenstransplantinitiative/
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