Mayo Clinic Radio: Gift of Life Transplant House In 1973, Ed Pompeian received the "gift of life" — a kidney from his mother, Helen. Ed’s personal experience at Mayo Clinic led him to believe that transplant patients and their families would be more comfortable if they could live in a home-like setting during their treatment. Ed's dream became a reality when he helped found the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1984. In 2009, a second house was added to meet the growing need. Gift of Life Transplant House is a not-for-profit independent Hospital Hospitality House and a member of the Healthcare Hospitality Network.