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 written, Sandy is due to check in yet again, this time for 37 days because her son is undergoing a new treatment for an extended period of time. Sandy will spend Christmas here this year, in her “home away from home.”  This is not at all how she envisioned her retirement years.  Medical crisis is so disruptive of the routines of our lives.

 

Many of our guests will spend Christmas and New Year’s here, away from home and familiar surroundings, unsure of what is to come, not able to plan for a new year or even for this one….. someone in the family is in medical crisis. Gifts will remain unpurchased, trees will not be decorated, their extended family that they have looked forward to seeing at the holidays will be far away…. someone in the family is in medical crisis. The hugs, which are so needed now, will not be given or received…..someone in the family is in medical crisis. These guests of Kiwanis Family House, like Sandy, have to be here and not at home…. someone in the family is in medical crisis. They want to be home, doing the routine things of life but they can’t. They know that if they are at home with their loved ones, the loved one in the hospital will be all alone, so they are here…. because someone in the family is in medical crisis and needs their support.

 

Kiwanis Family House is also here. Here to support them with a warm and safe place to stay, an emergency food closet and an emergency clothes closet, easy transport to and from the hospital, a kind word, a smile and sometimes, a hug. KFH has been here for more than 33 years, supporting 31,000  people and families like Sandy and her son. Why? Because someone in the family is in medical crisis.

 

We can’t do this alone. We need your support to ensure that we can continue to do this for 33 more years. 

 

From our House to yours, wishing you a healthy, happy, and love-filled holiday season.