This past week, Julie Davis and her son, Charlie Wagner, checked into Kiwanis Family House for a one-night’s stay. We last saw Charlie in 2013 as a happy three-year-old boy. We are pleased to share an update with all of you. In December 2009, Julie went in for a routine ultrasound appointment at 29 weeks pregnant when it was detected that her water had broken. Concerned for her health as well as her baby’s, her doctor flew her from Redding to Sacramento to give birth to her premature son at UC Davis Medical Center. … [Read more...]
Crisis Doesn’t Take A Holiday | Sandy’s Story
Medical crisis is so disruptive of the routines of our lives. Sandy is a retired nurse. She lives in Grant's Pass, Oregon. In the past 26 months (since October 2015), Sandy has stayed at Kiwanis Family House on 31 occasions. Each time she has made the long drive from home to Sacramento, to support and advocate for herson, who has been battling a severe form of cancer for several years. She has stayed with us a total of 141 nights on those visits, some stays were for one night, most for two or three, a few were longer. As this is being … [Read more...]
Paying It Forward
Over the weekend, we received the following message on our Kiwanis Family House Facebook page: ***** Hi! A little over seven years ago, my mom and I spent a night at the Kiwanis House. We spent the night because the next morning I had a doctor's appointment at Shriners Hospitals for Children - Northern California! I was abruptly diagnosed with extremely sever scoliosis at twelve years old. At Shriners Hospital I underwent two extensive operations a week apart to correct my … [Read more...]
Our Life Went Into Free-Fall | One Family’s Story
At the family's request, we are neither using real names nor showing photos of family members in this story. In mid-October 2017, Maria was in Napa County serving as an in-home caretaker for an elderly woman. Multiple wildfires were ravaging the surrounding region and the two women were forced to evacuate the home. They reportedly headed for the residence of the older woman's son as it was in a safe zone. Little is known about what transpired in the ensuing days but the case remains under … [Read more...]
“Average” — What’s That? | Charlie Bussey
The “average” guest stays at Kiwanis Family House for about 3 days, stays only one time and we never see them again because their family medical emergency has been resolved. Other guests stay with us over and over as their medical crisis may take longer and require one or more follow up visits or surgeries. This is the story of two of those families. SEAN Sean lives in Texas. In March of 2015, Sean and his wife, Marilyn were visiting their son in Placerville, awaiting the arrival of their grandchild. Sean became ill and was brought … [Read more...]
Lorrie’s Story | Charlie Bussey
As I write this, it is Thursday. Earlier this week, on Monday morning, one of our guests stuck her head inside the office door, handed Dan and me some bookmarks she had made from beads and me and said, “ I just want you to know what a wonderful place this is. Your staff is so understanding and kind. I don’t know what I would have done without this place.” Dan and I looked at each other and I said, “I think there is a story here.” Our guest looked at my Starbucks coffee cup and said, “It’ll cost you something from Starbucks with chocolate … [Read more...]
Gordon’s Story
Gordon Storey has a story to tell. It is a story of true friendship and perseverance against difficult obstacles. It is a story of heartache and joy. Gordon Storey is a retired minister. In his ministerial postings he has served in many churches. One of these churches is located in Mt. Shasta, California. If you have ever traveled north on Interstate 5 to Oregon, you have passed by majestic Mt. Shasta. You may have blinked and missed its small town namesake. While in Mt. Shasta, Gordon and his wife, Linda came to know and became … [Read more...]
Clara Nichols’ Story | Charlie Bussey
On September 26, 2016, Lethesia Guzman and her fiancé were traveling on Interstate 80 crossing the Yolo Causeway (a long, elevated bridge) between West Sacramento and Davis. They were involved in a minor fender bender and were pulled off to the side of the narrow causeway. They exited the car and were standing in front of it, talking to the California Highway Patrol dispatcher, when they were rear-ended by an Uber driver in a Prius. Lethesia’s fiancé saw what was happening and immediately put his arms around Lethesia to protect her. … [Read more...]
The House Kiwanis Built
The October issue of Kiwanis Magazine featured an 8-page story about our Kiwanis Family House, which included two guest family profiles. We could not think of a better way to tell the story of 'The House Kiwanis Built' than through the moving words of our guest families. Sandra and her family were one of the families featured in the story. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Anthony, Mark, Karissa, and all their family and friends for the loss of a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, and friend. May she forever Rest in Peace. Read the … [Read more...]
Sandra Gantt’s Story
We first met Sandra Gantt during the 2012 holiday season, shortly after she was diagnosed with leukemia. Sandra was in the last trimester of her pregnancy. Doctors at UC Davis Medical Center carefully coordinated her cancer and prenatal care. A healthy daughter, Karissa, was born on December 27, 2012. The family remained at Kiwanis Family House through the end of January 2013. After two years in remission, Sandra’s leukemia returned. Calendar year 2015 has seen her in and out of UC Davis Medical Center for blood transfusions and … [Read more...]