Home for the Awaiting: Transplant House Provides Shelter and Financial Relief to Families Seeking Life-Saving Organs

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Transplant House of West Michigan is providing a home for families awaiting life-saving organ transplants, easing the financial burden of medical travel and temporary housing while waiting for their time to be called.

Jacob Gram came to West Michigan from West Virginia seeking a heart and double lung transplant. From just 6 weeks old, he had been diagnosed with a congenital heart disease. By the time he was 15 years old, Gram had undergone a total of six open-heart surgeries.

"I know absolutely nobody up here, because I'm originally from West Virginia," Gram said.

The nonprofit provides four families a spot to stay while waiting for their time to be called at Corewell Butterworth, a destination for many people who need transplants. The house now has the space to accommodate four families simultaneously.

"There's no way we had any of that. I mean, we, we didn't have any to begin with," Gram said.

Even with the cost of $60 a day to stay at the house, Gram's family was able to save $60,000 by staying at the Transplant House compared to a hotel.

"I mean, we didn't have any to begin with," Gram said.

Tracy Gary, the nonprofit's founder, explains that money goes towards paying the mortgage and covering the utility bills. The nonprofit has helped families save more than $250,000 since its inception.

"We know it's a need for it, but we didn't know there was such a need for it. So I mean, it feels good just to sit there and help people, because we can't give it back, we can't pay it back, all we do, like I said, pay it forward," Gary said.

Tracy and Holly Gary were both on the transplant list many years ago. Holly said she was top of the list for almost a year, and Tracy added that she never knows when she's gonna get the call.

"I was top of the list for almost a year. So it's just you never know when you're gonna get the call," Holly said.

During the month of May, it is National Donate Life Month. Currently, 2,700 Michiganders are waiting for a transplant. Gift of Life Michigan shares that Corewell Butterworth had the most organ donors in the state, with 54 donors in 2025. The hospital also had the second-highest number of tissue donations with 75 donors.

Gram appreciates all of them. When asked what he would tell people who are on the fence about becoming an organ donor, his message was clear.

"It saves lives. I mean, I saved mine. It's the best thing to do," Gram said.

People can register to be an organ donor through the Secretary of State or the Gift of Life Michigan website.

Tracy and Holly Gary started the Transplant House of West Michigan in 2024 after experiencing the need for it themselves. Their mission is to give families a moment to not worry about the financial burden of waiting for a transplant.

"We know it's a need for it, but we didn't know there was such a need for it. So I mean, it feels good just to sit there and help people, because we can't give it back, we can't pay it back, all we do, like I said, pay it forward," Tracy said.