Page 5 - Ava's Heart 5th Annual Hereos Ball

Message from the Chairman Dear Ava’s Heart Supporters:
We are living through an unprecedented moment in time, but what gives me hope is the ability to continue our Ava’s mission and commitment to serving the needs of our patient family. You stay in “Ava’s House” so you are always family.
I’m Joe Lafferty and it is the great joy to share this message with you. As the Chairman of the Board of Ava’s Heart and two time organ transplant recipient I want to first thank you for your continued support of our mission.
This has been an amazing year for everything we do but it was more than the
last 365 days in the making. Prior to this “COVID world,” our Ava was being
vetted as a potential CNN Hero for lifesaving work. And then in 2020, CNN
made the justifiable and beautiful decision to wholly honor frontline medical
workers as “Heroes” for the year. And what a deserving group so please continue to support those same “Heroes”in you local community. And then in 2021, CNN turned their attention back to community impactors like Ava.
What makes our work exceptionally led by our inspirational leader Ava different is the literal lifesaving element that too few people internally and externally of the medical community understand. At the time of my own transplant I didn’t.
Like Ava, I lived minutes from a world renown transplant center so housing and family support was already secured. For so many people that come to greater Los Angeles area to “get listed” at one or more of the best transplant centers in the world housing and support is desperately needed.
Secure post transplant housing, transportation to-and-from the hospital for sometimes months fo;;owing surgery and other types of support are a REQUIREMENT before the patient will be listed.
AND THIS IS HOW WE SAVE LIVES.
By providing free, clean, secure and supportive housing including meals and transportation those who can’t afford up to three months in a hotel or extended living facility outside of their home town can have a life saving organ transplant. And Ava has to still say “No” every day as the need out paces all our current
efforts and wonderful partners giving.
So please enjoy our 5th Annual Hero’s Ball and engage in one of the many ways we have to provide life saving help.