In 1973, Helen Pompeian gave life to her son, Edward, for the second time. Little did he know that his mother’s gift of a kidney would change his life immeasurably. Pompeian’s direct experience with the needs of transplant patients and their families quickly led him to believe that a shared environment in a home-like setting would be beneficial to the health and well-being of all concerned. Thus began the dream now know as Gift of Life Transplant House.

Ed Pompeian and three Mayo Clinic employees, Mary Davie, Sylvester Sterioff, M.D., and Greg Warner, worked to build support in the community, raising the funds for a down payment on a home and became the first board members of Gift of Life Transplant House. In December 1984, Gift of Life, Inc., officially opened its doors with eight guest rooms at 624 West Center Street in Rochester, MN.

Finally, in 1994, the Board of Directors purchased the “Judd house.” This private home, built in 1911, was the home of the E. Starr Judd family. Renovation of the house and its three guest rooms began immediately. In June 1995, Gift of Life welcomed guests to its new home.

Many of our photos here reflect their age yet are an important part of the preservation of Gift of Life’s legacy. If you have any photos of those early days and would like to share them with us, please mail them to Gift of Life Transplant House, 705 2nd St. SW, Rochester, MN 55902 or email them to Kayla at kayla@gift-of-life.org.