We recently connected with Ross Witty and have shared our conversation below.

Ross, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In 2011, our youngest daughter (Kimmy, 12) was diagnosed with a genetic kidney disorder (Nephronopthesis). Her kidneys were functioning at 20% and weren’t going to get better. Doctors put her on a strict diet and medication but stated she would likely need a transplant at some point. 3 months later they shared she needed a transplant asap. After my wife and I were tested for compatibility, it was determined that I would be the better donor, and in November I donated my left kidney to Kimmy. 5 years later, after returning from a summer camp our church puts on, Kimmy informed us that it was laid on her heart that weekend that she needed to tell her story and help kids going through what she went through. After much discussion and prayer, we decided to launch Children’s Transplant Initiative (nonprofit) and become part of the “circle of care” for pediatric solid organ transplant patients and their families. Through our own experience, we saw the tremendous need for support in many areas, primarily financial and housing needs. For us, it truly was a leap of faith. We knew what we wanted to accomplish but honestly weren’t sure how we could make it happen. There is only one other organization in Texas focusing on pediatric transplant families.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I spent my career in sales/sales management, primarily in the oil & gas industry. We launched Children’s Transplant Initiative (CTI) in 2016, and my wife and I were working it part time. In November of 2020, I turned 62 and was laid off a week later due to the impact of covid. We supported the 2 children’s hospitals in Houston at the time, and our vision was to take our services to Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth to support the pediatric transplant hospitals there. Our board felt that if we wanted to grow, we needed someone working CTI full time and offered me the position. It was difficult saying yes, as making money doing what we do was never the plan. I agreed to a 6-month trial period, if I was able to raise enough operational funds through public and private grants to support a salary, then I would go full time, which I was able to do. We now support the 5 pediatric transplant hospitals (Houston, Austin, Dallas, & Fort Worth) with financial assistance for their families. Our largest program is our hospitality housing program (called “R”-Rooms, a Place to Rest, Relax, and Recover). We provide private 2 bed/2 bath apartments that are fully furnished, have all the housewares, full kitchen, and washer/dryers. We currently operate 9 apartments in Houston, 3 in Austin, and 3 in Dallas (soon to be 4). Because of the incredible support we receive from so many organizations and individuals, we are able to provide these apartments to the families at no cost for as long as their child needs treatment. Also, in all 3 cities, the apartments are within walking distance of the hospitals.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe having gone through the transplant journey gives us credibility, knowing exactly what these families are going through. We worked hard to earn the trust of the hospitals as we consider our housing program as an extension of the services they provide their patient families. We listen to the needs of the families and try our best to meet those needs. Providing no cost housing, literally a home away from home for these families, takes a large burden off their plate. They can focus on their child and not worry about where they will be staying. The apartments also provide room for siblings, grandparents, etc. to stay. We feel enabling the family “support” system is vital in the sick child’s journey. The families love having a safe, comfortable place to cook, wash clothes, nap, or whatever they need.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

We are constantly in touch with the families staying in our apartments, as well as the family’s social workers. These children all have delicate immune systems, prior to transplant and especially after, so it is important that everything in the apartment is working correctly. We also stay in touch with a number of families whose child received a transplant and are back home starting their new lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cti-tx.org