TEAM

Kelly L Green

"I have a personal passion for this mission: I worked with Help Hope Live as a client during my mother's kidney transplant in 2007."

Likes

Balloon-animal making, adventures, my teen daughter, and peanut butter M&Ms, but I prefer a plate of fresh veggies any day.

David Cahill

"I love being part of the passionate and caring team at Help Hope Live. Knowing that our work helps individuals and families struggling with unexpected and difficult situations is motivating and fulfilling."

LIKES

Music, playing guitar, watching basketball, golfing, reading, enjoying great food and wine with my wife and friends.

Shannon Shensky

"Every day I get to wake up and play a small role in someone's recovery back to health. I love being a part of this caring, creative community."

Likes

Coffee, coffee, coffee. Reading. Writing. New food experiences. My family. Long walks with my dog. Live music. E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES! Red wine.

Brooke Schostak

"It is a privilege to raise funds for such an incredible organization."

LIKES

Reading, listening to podcasts, yoga, walking, my family, the ocean, traveling, fresh flowers, naps.

Sonny Mullen

"The people around you are what helps you get through life's struggles, and that's why Help Hope Live is so important."

Likes

Photography, the beach, spending time with my little brother and my huge extended family.

Ashley McLaughlin

"I believe that it takes a village for us all to be happy and healthy. Help Hope Live is a great member of that village, and I am so happy to be a part of the team!"

LIKES

Beach, summer time, spending time with family, playing with my son, movies, binge watching TV series, traveling.

Melanie Johnson

"I'm grateful that I can offer the services of Help Hope Live to people who need some help moving forward. I'm honored to be a small part of their journey. "

Likes

My family, friends, reading, traveling and rowing (that's just a small sample).

Jen Smilg

"I'm happy to be the backbone support to assist and guide people in a time of crisis. In conjunction with Help Hope Live, I willingly dig through the details of a situation and get things done."

LIKES

Sushi, good bourbon, listening to the ocean, snorkeling with turtles, hanging out with family.

Stacia Moak

"I chose to work for Help Hope Live because I can be proud knowing that I helped people make it through a difficult situation with dignity."

LIKES

Reading fantasy, science fiction, and romance (especially science fiction and paranormal romance); cats and cat rescue; trying new teas; learning random interesting facts

Samantha Palazolo

"I chose to work at Help Hope Live because it is a very special thing to feel as though you are making an impact on people’s lives every day, and having the opportunity to work with such an amazing team of individuals is just icing on the cake."

LIKES

I love to cook and am on a competition BBQ cooking team that competes several time a year, including the Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Cooking Competition.

Karla Piñon

"It is truly an honor and a privilege to be part of an organization that deeply cares about people."

LIKES

Music, school, 3 dogs, movies, reading, food, family and my teen daughter. Traveling the world is my dream!

Laura Jefferson

"I love working for Help Hope Live because as an organization we try to give opportunity and hope to people who really need help. "

LIKES

Camping, traveling, knitting, eating great food and going for long drives with my husband, cat, and dog.

Beth Johnston

“It is truly an honor to be apart of this amazing organization. Everyone at Help Hope Live definitely gives me hope that there are still nice people in the world."

LIKES

Exploring different restaurants, spending time with family and friends and gardening

Frank Mansfield

"It is inspiring to see the strength of spirit and generosity of so many people. Incredible support from family, friends, and strangers is helping people achieve their goals."

Likes

Playing volleyball, cooking, film noir, all dogs large and small (but mostly large), the beach, being married to Rosanna "since forever," spoiling a doting granddaughter.

Terri Carlson

"I am truly inspired by the personal stories and amazing strength of our clients. It feels good to come to work every day!"

Likes

The beach, gardening, fishing, flea market treasures, and spending time with family.

Keyonna Clark

"I love working for Help Hope Live because every day, I get to witness the power of community coming together to make a difference in the lives of those facing medical challenges. It's incredibly fulfilling to be part of an organization that brings hope and support to individuals and families in need."

LIKES

Spending time with family, reading books, watching movies and cooking.

Emily Progin

"Help Hope Live gives me an incredible opportunity to support individuals during some of the most difficult times of their lives."

Likes

Spending time with my husband and two cats, video games, yoga, and guacamole. Go Philadelphia Fusion!

Cathy Letcher

"I'm a firm believer that we all need to 'pay it forward' and it's a gift to do that in the workplace."

Likes

My busy life as a mom of three; spending time with my family and friends; staying active in our church and school communities; cooking, baking, and entertaining; the arts, sports, and travel.

Kate Lacouture

"I am grateful for the opportunity to educate people about the benefits of Help Hope Live and the positive impact our nonprofit can have on individuals who are in need of extra support to pay for critical care."

LIKES

Hiking, running, skiing, the beach, concerts, watching the NY Jets and Philadelphia Eagles every Sunday, and spending time with my family and friends.

Kate Beach

"I'm thrilled to be part of a team that works so hard to bring communities together and help people who need it most."

LIKES

Programming my own personal film festivals, collecting antiques and vinyl records, reading, art, spending time with my family and pets

Karli Njaa, MPH

“I love being part of the team at Help Hope because I wake up each day excited that I can be a small piece in improving someone’s quality of life.”

LIKES

Traveling, hiking, my cat, sunshine, and good Mexican food

Cylia Brickle

"Help Hope Live is a wonderful and helpful team that I've never experienced before."

LIKES

Baking, learning new things, animals, music, and taking pictures of the scenery.

Ron Siggs

Magee Rehabilitation Hospital

Kaushika Kansara

Illuminate Human Connectivity

Eric Erickson

Berwind Corporation

Janet L. Gold, Esq.

Eisenberg, Gold & Agrawal, P.C.

Lauren Enlow, MPA

Blackblaud

Christine V. Kanter

National Transplant Assistance Fund (retired)

Jim Madden

Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake

Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Independence Blue Cross

Stephanie P McAlaine

Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA), Independent Sponsor Forum (ISF)

Taryn McCarty

Jeff Merschel

Creative Planning Institutional Retirement Services

Brian Messner

DigiStream

Drew Morrisroe

CTN Solutions

Alex Reed Pickel

Marketing and Outreach Committee Chair

David Ruff

Janssen - The Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson

Lynne C. Samson

Main Line Health Chaplain Help Hope Live - Executive Director (2003-2014)

Kelley Brooks Simoneaux, Esq.

The Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm, PLLC

Bill Soloway

Heart Transplant Recipient "There's no better way to honor my donor James, then to give back and help others through their transplant journey."

LIKES

Road, Trail and High Wheel bicycle riding. Being an Ambassador for Organ Donation. Helping others.

Katrina Golden

SCI Caregiver "I joined the Help Hope Live community in 2015 after an unexpected ATV accident changed our lives. In a split second, my husband was paralyzed. We needed help with fundraising to cover the cost of his care. I am an event planner, so coming up with fundraising ideas was easy for me but working with the nonprofit Help Hope Live gave me confidence and credibility. I decided to become a Help Hope Live ambassador so that I can share what I have learned with other caregivers and assure them that there is hope and help through fundraising."

LIKES

The God I serve is my 1st love. I enjoy helping others solve issues or problems; singing, bowling, and traveling.

Kristen Sachs

SCI Caregiver "Help Hope Live has assisted my family in managing the enormous cost of living life with a spinal cord injury. I chose to become an Ambassador because I want to help others who have experienced a life-changing injury—I want to be able to guide them to a reliable organization that can help during a very difficult time."

LIKES

Writing, crocheting, spending time with my family, leading by example, learning something new every day, and sipping red wine.

Joanna McCray

Kidney Transplant Recipient "I became a part of Help Hope Live community almost seven years ago, and now I'm a Brand Ambassador. Throughout my kidney transplant, Help Hope Live was there for me, helping me with all the assistance I needed with fundraising awesome fundraising!"

LIKES

Cooking, reading, and spending time with my grandchildren and God

Liz Casperite

Living-Donor Kidney Transplant Recipient "I became a Help Hope Live Ambassador because it is a charity I believe in, that helped my donor and me through my transplant and beyond. I want to help spread awareness so that new people can have the same great experience."

LIKES

I like...fun glasses, fashion, mid century modern decor, natural skincare and advocating for healthcare reform!

Dani Izzie

SCI Client "I have been a recipient of Help Hope Live’s services for over a decade. I strive to connect individuals to HHL when they are looking for an avenue of support after having their lives upturned by illness or traumatic injury, knowing well the potential for impact and success."

LIKES

Nature, Italy, off-road handcycling off the beaten paths, and being a mom.

Pat McEntee

Heart Transplant Recipient "Help Hope Live has been a godsend to me and my family as we faced many unexpected bills throughout the course of waiting for, receiving and recovering from my heart transplant. The staff has always treated me as if I were their only client. The ambassador program allows me to give back to HHL and to share my experiences in the hopes of helping others who may be traveling a similar path."

LIKES

I collect sports cards, enjoy watching sports, particularly baseball and college basketball. Lately, I've been jogging, hiking and biking a lot. I'm grateful to be able to get out and enjoy nature during this pandemic. I set a goal to read 20 books this year; thus far, I've completed 40.

Lauren Shevchek

SCI Client "Help Help Live has been there every step of the way in my SCI journey. I thank God for their support, compassion, and camaraderie, which they have used to uplift me and my family in our fundraising efforts! Their knowledge about fundraising and commitment to helping clients is truly unmatched. Living with spinal cord injury is far from easy, but Help Hope Live is an incredible asset for lightening the load!"

LIKES

God, singing, quality time with family & friends, wine flights, reading a good book, spending time in nature.

Rachelle Ledbetter

Double-Lung Transplant Recipient "If I could give one word of advice to a pre-transplant patient, it would be Help Hope Live. Without their support team to provide ideas and necessary materials for fundraising when I was first listed for a bilateral lung transplant, the out-of-pocket expenses would have been thoroughly daunting. In four years my team has raised over $75,000! And we’re not finished. Thank you to my extended family, HHL."

LIKES

My husband and two daughters fill me with joy; my church family gives me hope; Sadie, my companion dog, saved me emotionally; the central coast allows me to breathe deeper; the Dodgers enable this crazy, baseball lady to emerge; meditation and prayer ease my anxiety; audiobooks take me away.

Linda Jara

Heart Transplant Recipient "I decided to become a Help Hope Live Ambassador because I think transplant patients and others who qualify should take advantage of the fundraising program. I am amazed when people in my position do not fundraise and have excuses for not fundraising when I suggest HHL. The idea was presented to me while I was in the hospital being evaluated for a heart transplant. Yes, it was overwhelming, but it was the best time to wrap my head around the cost of being a transplant candidate and eventual recipient."

LIKES

Melissa Tuff

Awaiting Second Kidney Transplant "Without the support of Help Hope Live, I would have never been able to raise the funds necessary to be waitlisted for a life-saving kidney transplant. Every chance I get, I sing their praises and share their mission with others in need of fundraising assistance due to catastrophic illness or injury."

LIKES

Crafting, reading, volunteering, hiking, swimming, concerts and traveling

Dylan Mortimer

Double-Lung Transplant Recipient "My family was sustained by Help Hope Live in the midst of two double lung transplants. I want to offer the hope that was offered to me."

LIKES

I am a full-time artist, and I create artwork about the challenges and joys within my transplant journey. I love spending time with my family, traveling, exercising in a variety of ways to celebrate being alive!

Dianne Vitkus

SCI Client "The disabled community is one of the strongest groups of people I never thought I would get to know so personally. It is a privilege to be amongst them and a privilege to give back to them."

LIKES

Adaptive fitness/sports, spending time with friends and family, volunteering in the community, mental health, nature, food, documentaries, and audiobooks.

David and Sharon Talkington

Illness Client and Caregiver "We joined Help Hope Live in 2016 to raise funds for a handicap accessible van that we needed due to Dave's rare disease hypophosphatasia, which impacts his joints and bones. HHL has been a wonderful support system and tool. We are honored by the opportunity to share our journey as ambassadors to help connect others in the catastrophic illness community to needed support!"

LIKES

David: technology, books, music, family, and God. Sharon: medical journals, rare disease advocacy, blogging, crocheting, family, God.

Jerry Cahill

Lung, Liver, and Kidney Transplant Recipient "I am humbled and honored by the unconditional love from my donor families that have given me the gift of life 2 times with 3 organs and the opportunity to continue to make a difference in others peoples lives and continue to pursue my dreams. I honor my donors everyday by staying healthy physically and mentally and passing it on to others."

LIKES

Coaching Track & Field (pole vault/high jump); biking; hiking; volunteering as an advocate for organ awareness, cystic fibrosis, and the rare disease community

Ian Burkhart

SCI Client "After having my life flipped upside down due to spinal cord injury, Help Hope Live allowed my family and me to focus on my recovery. I share HHL's mission whenever I peer mentor as it gives an individual's community a tax-deductible method to help those in times of need."

LIKES

Live music, lacrosse, nature, and traveling

Greg Wright

Heart Transplant Recipient "Greg Wright received a donor heart on 2/27/20 at HUP in Philadelphia. He is grateful to the donor's family for the ultimate gift of life. Greg is enjoying retirement at his Lititz, PA home after nearly three decades of service in college athletic media relations."

LIKES

Walking his pet golden retriever, Clementine; reading; travel; rooting for the Buffalo Bills and St. Bonaventure Bonnies; watching sports (mainly hockey, golf and soccer); online get-togethers twice weekly with immediate family.

Nina Vincent

Supporter "I joined Help Hope Live in 2022 and I realized how many people feel isolated in the midst of the greatest needs of their lives. My desire is to help them realize they are not alone and be a Voice of Hope for them."

LIKES

Faith, Family, World Travel, and ADVOCACY

Nick Bacino

Kidney Transplant Recipient “I am a three time kidney transplant recipient, and Help Hope Live has been there to help since the beginning. My family and I understand how difficult the transplant expenses and process can be so I am here to help in any way I can!”

LIKES

Golfing, building Legos, watching sports (especially the Chicago Bears as I am from Illinois), hanging out with friends, and advocating for others who are undergoing similar hardships

Robinson Family

Parents Jeffrey and Trish and their twins Zack and Dale who are living with cerebral palsy "We have joined the HHL community to get my twins the extra support they need to live the best quality of life. Right now, our main goal is to get a Trexo Robotics for our son, Zack, because he is unable to walk due to his catastrophic illness. Since my twins were born, I have wanted to find a way to be a light for other people when they enter the darkness. HHL does that."

LIKES

Jeffrey: Auburn football & fishing; Trish: Baking cookies, raising money for my kids; Dale: Goats, water & his 4-wheeler; Zack: Piano, water & working hard to reach new goals.

Josh Basile, Esq.

SCI Client "Since becoming paralyzed below my shoulders, I learned firsthand the importance of community and how together we are stronger. Help Hope Live embodies community and brings together the best in all of us to support those needing the most help."

LIKES

Mentoring, public speaking, slingshot golf, sailing, spicy food, family, and being a father

KJ Henry, Philadelphia Eagles #50

Son of a Transplant Client “Honored to be an ambassador for this amazing organization who has blessed so many families including my own. I hope and pray we all can continue to grow this community and be an aid to many more families in this world.”

LIKES

Football, food, movies, golf, gaming

Liz Barnett

Heart and Liver Transplant Recipient “When I was listed for my heart and liver transplant, I was so overwhelmed by the idea of fundraising. The team at Help Hope Live were so supportive and made the process easy. I’m so grateful I found them!”

Kevin J. Lopez

Heart Transplant Recipient “The reason I love HHL is because of the distance they will go to help someone with fundraising and supporting the process. They made my transplant fundraising easier to deal with without affecting my disability.”

LIKES

I like to exercise, lift weights, and ride my bike for distance, I love fishing, camping, and fixing things.

Ryan Gebauer

SCI Client "HHL has allowed me and thousands of individuals to fundraise for quality of life medical equipment and services. I'm grateful to HHL and will continue to educate others on HHL's imperative mission."

LIKES

Auto racing, accessible boating, waterfront restaurants, collaborating with other organizations and educating on real estate

Rebecca Koltun

SCI Client "After a skiing accident in 2021 that left me paralyzed from the neck down, I thought my life was over. With the help of fundraising through Help Hope Live, I’ve not only been able to manage the enormous costs that come with a spinal cord injury, but also experience so many extraordinary and beautiful things that I never thought I would be able to do. Everyone we’ve had the pleasure of working with there has been extremely kind, helpful, and instrumental in my journey."

LIKES

Reading, nature, social media, hanging out with friends, and mouth painting.

Cynthia Noonan

SCI Client "I've been using Help Hope Live since 2009 to fundraise for therapies and the tremendous out of pocket costs associated with living with a cervical spinal cord injury. The HHL staff has been so helpful over the years with fundraising guidance and I am thrilled to give back by being an ambassador and helping others in my community connect with this awesome organization!"

LIKES

I'm passionate about health and fitness-both physical and mental.Enjoy spending time in nature, handcycling, kayaking, hiking and hanging out with loved ones. Obsessed with my service dog, Freckle, who brings me so much peace and joy. So many books, so little time! I love reading and listening to books, both fiction and non-fiction. Enjoy my work at BORP Adaptive sports as the fitness manager.

Doug Parisano

Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient "Help Hope Live is an amazing resource when medical issues cause a financial burden. It's the best way to give and receive help, plus all the wonderful people."

LIKES

Cars, family and friends, helping people achieve goals and travel.