Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) is a non-profit international organization that focuses on support, advocacy, education, and donor awareness.
What We Do
Our Central Texas Chapter of TRIO was organized in 2014 by transplant department social workers who saw a great need for emotional and educational support not only among the transplant candidates, patients, and caregivers but also among the donor families. Our chapter has worked steadily to promote donor awareness by having representation at health fairs and providing organ and tissue transplantation programs to various civic and religious organizations. In addition, representatives have given interviews to newspapers and television stations discussing the importance of organ and tissue donation and encouraging the public to register as donors.
It became apparent to the members of TRIO that we could better support transplant patients and their families by providing affordable housing. With that goal in mind, the chapter first purchased a travel trailer in 2015.
Realizing the limitations of a travel trailer, we embarked on the ambitious project of providing a real house for patients, caregivers, and living donors. The house was completed in 2020.
A clip of our dedication ceremony with Amy's children cutting the ribbon.
We held our dedication ceremony for Amy's House on December 13, 2020. Due to the weather and the pandemic restrictions, we had a small ceremony inside the house.
We hosted our first family on January 4, 2021. Amy's House is now fully open to provide affordable temporary housing for transplant patients, living donors, and their caregivers.
Our executive director, Mrs. Phyllis Renfrow, and our house managers, Carolyn Riley and Pamela Warren are doing a great job of making our guests feel at home while continuing to follow a strict sanitation protocol.
Our occupancy has really picked up in the past year after a slow start in January 2021. Usually, the house shelters at least four or five families per night.
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Our Inspiration?
Here’s a short video about a journey from tragedy to hope that highlights the lives of Amy and her lung recipient, Carrie, and shows the importance of organ donation.
Support transplant patients and their caregivers while they stay at Amy’s House: