"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
Director of Finance
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
Director of Communications
Shannon Shensky
"Every day I get to wake up and play a small part in someone’s recovery back to health."
Likes
Coffee, coffee, coffee. Writing. New food experiences. Health care. My family including my two crazy dogs. E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES! All things digital (though, I love a hardback book). Red wine.
Brooke Schostak
Director of Development
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.
Ramsey Villarreal
Director of Technology
Ramsey Villarreal
“I am very grateful to be part of a team of dedicated individuals who share the same mission of connecting communities in need. I am excited to be able to make even a small difference in any way that I can.”
LIKES
Spending time with my wonderful girlfriend, hanging out with friends and family, food, computers, video games, space, and ice hockey
Sonny Mullen
Outreach Manager
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.
Denise Belcher
Client Services Manager
Denise Belcher
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know families at a time when they need help the most.”
LIKES
Spending time with my husband, family, and friends, including my dog and two cats. I love traveling, reading, and trying new foods.
Melanie Johnson
Client Services Coordinator
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).
Eileen Kaelin-Jackson
Client Services Coordinator
Eileen Kaelin-Jackson
"It feels good to be the positive voice on the other end of the line in a sad situation."
Likes
I love my family, sunshine, the shore, reading, and ice cream.
Jeanne Ketcham
Client Services Coordinator
Jeanne Ketcham
Making a personal connection with clients and being able to help during a critical time in their lives is very rewarding. I feel lucky to be a part of the Help Hope Live team.
Likes
Spending time with my daughters, my partner, Roland, and his family. We especially enjoy our grandchildren! Fishing and camping; the beach; photography; working on my million “unfinished” craft projects.
Chela Pagan-Dorsaneo
Client Services Coordinator - Bilingual
Chela Pagan-Dorsaneo
I am excited to work as our Bilingual Coordinator to enhance our nonprofit's ability to serve Latino/Hispanic clients. I hope to bring positivity and comfort to families during what can be an incredibly sad and difficult time.
LIKES
I love doing Yoga, spending time with my pets, Nina and Jake, and I love going to the movie theater!
Debbi Schwartz
Administrative Assistant
Debbi Schwartz
"I enjoy talking with each individual client and hearing the excitement in their voice after they are on the road to recovery."
Likes
Family, friends, my furry friends, traveling, concerts, hanging out on the bay, and always laughing!
Laura Jefferson
Finance Coordinator
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.
Frank Mansfield
Staff Accountant - Community Giving
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.
"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.
Emily Progin
PR and Communications Coordinator
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
E-Communications Coordinator
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
Outreach Representative
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
Development Specialist
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
Chris Carlin
Gaming Coordinator
Chris Carlin
I’m excited to help reduce the stress of families seeking assistance for unmet medical expenses by working with passionate gamers to raise funds in support of our programs and services.
LIKES
I'm a big fan of eSports and a charity gaming enthusiast. I enjoy traveling to gaming tournaments, visiting craft breweries with my wife, and playing with our new puppy, Maggie!
Zach Hansen
Web Developer
Zach Hansen
“It’s a great feeling to know that my work at Help Hope Live has a positive effect on the lives of those less fortunate than myself.”
LIKES
Snowboarding, Fishing, Off-Roading, Video Games, Programming, 3D printing and a lot more.
James F. Madden
Board Chair
James F. Madden
Hillview Capital, a division of RegentAtlantic
Ron Siggs
Board Vice Chair
Ron Siggs
Magee Rehabilitation Hospital
Liam Murray
Board Secretary
Liam Murray
Venture Management Specialists, Inc.
Eric Erickson
Board Treasurer
Eric Erickson
Berwind Corporation
Michael Criscuolo
Board Member
Michael Criscuolo
Bryn Mawr Hospital
Kaushika Kansara
Board Member
Kaushika Kansara
Insperity
Christine V. Kanter
Board Member
Christine V. Kanter
National Transplant Assistance Fund (retired)
Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake
Board Member
Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake
Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Independence Blue Cross
Stephanie McAlaine
Board Member
Stephanie McAlaine
ACG
Taryn McCarty
Board Member
Taryn McCarty
Nerd Street Gamers
Brian Messner
Board Member
Brian Messner
DigiStream
David Ruff
Board Member
David Ruff
Janssen - The Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
Nick Ryder, CFA
Board Member
Nick Ryder, CFA
Kathmere Capital Management
Bill Soloway
Transplant Ambassador (Pennsylvania)
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
Spinal Cord Injury Ambassador (North Carolina)
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.
Josh and Laura Sarchet
Transplant Ambassadors (New York)
Josh and Laura Sarchet
Double-Lung Transplant Recipient and Caregiver
"We're excited to pass along the hope for an incredible and fulfilling life regardless of the circumstance; just as it passed to us by Help Hope Live."
LIKES
Dancing, Playing Instruments, Teaching, Hiking, Trying New Restaurants, Gardening
Kristen Sachs
Spinal Cord Injury Ambassador (Nevada)
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
Transplant Ambassador (South Carolina)
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
Transplant Ambassador (Pennsylvania)
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
Spinal Cord Injury Ambassador (Virginia)
Dani Izzie
C5-C6 Quadriplegic
"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
Transplant Ambassador (Ohio)
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.
Rachelle Ledbetter
Transplant Ambassador (California)
Rachelle Ledbetter
Double-Lung Transplant Candidate
"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
Transplant Ambassador (Pennsylvania)
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
Things I like: My new heart…People wearing masks…Water ice…Potatoes…Generous people…Gardens…Helping others…Family…Friends
Melissa Tuff
Transplant Ambassador (Florida)
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
David and Sharon Talkington
Rare Disease Ambassadors (Ohio)
David and Sharon Talkington
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.
Jen Smilg
Traumatic Brain Injury Ambassador (Ohio)
Jen Smilg
Advocate
"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.
Partners in Hope
Premium Partners
Hope Travels Virtual 5K: Sunday, May 16, join us in the race for relief from medical debt! You choose the pace, place, and time of your race – and who it benefits.Register Now
