Our Story

About Nora

In 1998, Doctors Osama and Lillian Gaber established Nora’s Gift Foundation® in memory of their daughter Nora, who lost her life in a tragic automobile accident at the age of seven. Nora’s legacy did not end with her death. Her organ donations helped several critically ill children and fueled the creation of Nora’s Home, an enduring gift to those in need.

In honor of Nora, whose life was characterized by her compassion and concern for others, Nora’s Home aims to improve the outcome and quality of life for patients suffering end-stage organ failure, individuals undergoing transplantation, and these patients’ families, thus aligning with Nora’s Gift Foundation’s central intentions to:

Promote understanding of end-stage organ failure and its treatment options, including organ transplantation
Promote innovative research in the field of organ failure and transplantation
Develop and provide charitable research, educational support, and medical services for patients and their families in need
Support organizations dedicated to treating individuals with organ failure, linking medical, allied health, social and academic organizations actively supporting patients.

How Nora’s Home Came to Be

To launch the mission of Nora’s Gift Foundation® (dba Nora’s Home) in Houston, an inaugural gala was held in 2011. Spring boarding off the success of the gala, a successful capital campaign secured the funds necessary to finally realize the vision of building a standalone hospitality home that serves any patient from the solid organ transplant centers in the Texas Medical Center. Nora’s Home opened its doors with 16 family suites in 2013.

The home has proved an invaluable resource to transplant patients and their families and quickly gained popularity after opening, developing a waiting list for families to stay. This launched a second capital campaign and planning for a phase two expansion doubling the size of the home to 32 family suites, as it stands today.

Subsequent fundraisers consisting of our annual Nora’s Home Gala, Golf Classic, and Welcome Home Annual Fund continue to provide the necessary funds in supporting the transplant families staying at the home by alleviating their financial burden through the Adopt-A-Family program. This ensures no guest is ever turned away due to inability to pay.

Like any good home, a strong foundation is a must. Nora’s Home would simply not be possible without the support, commitment, and endorsement from our incredible Nora’s Home Family. See how you can help today!

Who We Serve

Nora’s Home offers solid organ transplant patients and their families an affordable place to stay in the Texas Medical Center (TMC) where they can find support and share experiences with others, in the comfort of a home-like environment. The home is located 2.5 miles from the TMC and serves patients suffering from end stage organ disease and facing the need for life saving transplant surgery. Medical care often requires families to travel far from home and many patients awaiting transplant, under-going surgery or having follow-up care must stay in Houston for many months. We are proud to have welcomed guests from 38 states and five other countries.