Wishing you Peace, Love, and Hope

Manuel spent the first 10 weeks of his life in the hospital and at Family House. This 5-lb miracle baby was born with leukemia, and at only six days old, he underwent heart surgery to close a hole in his heart. This was followed by chemotherapy to treat his cancer. The day after this photo was taken, his parents, Patty & Rosendo, would bring him home for the first time.

Please donate today so that parents like Patty and Rosendo can focus on what matters most - their baby's health:  https://familyhouse.ejoinme.org/holidaymiracles

Giving Changes Lives

Below is the text of a letter we received from a donor who is participating in the Family House "Adopt a Family" or "Secret Santa" program. It's so wonderful to hear from a family that demonstrates how giving can make such a huge impact:

Hello Amy,

Thank you for allowing our family to take part in the Family House Secret Santa. Family House took such great care of our family while Natalia was undergoing treatment at UCSF from April 2008 – March 2009. I will never forget being emergency airlifted to UCSF just before Christmas 2008. Natalia was released from the hospital the afternoon of Christmas Eve and was allowed to return home for Christmas. When we arrived back in San Francisco 2 weeks later for another hospital stay, Paul delivered presents that Santa left for Natalia and our youngest daughter Sophia. It truly filled them with the wonder of Christmas. No matter what stress our family had go through, knowing we had a place to stay where people cared tremendously was always a comfort.

I hope that we can help bring a smile to another family. Merry Christmas!

Best Wishes,
Roni V

For information on the Secret Santa program, please contact Karen Banks at kbanks@familyhouseinc.org or (415) 514-6663

Click here to read the details about the Family House Secret Santa program: http://www.familyhouseinc.org/events.html#communityevents

Manuel, A Miracle Baby

Manuel spent the first 10 weeks of his life in the hospital and at Family House.

This 5-lb miracle baby was born via emergency c-section with Transient Myeloproliferative Disorder, a type of Leukemia that affects children with Down Syndrome. At only six days old, he underwent heart surgery to close a hole in his heart. This was followed immediately by weeks of chemotherapy to treat his cancer.

"Manuel was in and out of the hospital for the first two months of his life. He had fluid building around his heart that wouldn't drain on its own. He got a lung infection and had to be on oxygen because his lungs weren't working properly," says Patty, Manuel's mother.

The day after the above photo was taken, his parents, Patty and Rosendo, would bring him home for the first time.

"At Family House, everyone was friendly and open, everyone was willing to help. It's nice staying there - a little home away from home."  Now 8 months old, Manuel can do the things that other babies can do, like hold his own bottle, roll over, and sit up on his own. He's starting to talk, too.

"His heart and pulmonary counts are great. He's doing what normal babies do; we're very happy, we're very proud of him."

Please donate today to Family House so we can help babies like Manuel have a happy, healthy future: https://familyhouse.ejoinme.org/holidaymiracles 

Click here to learn more about Family House families:
http://www.familyhouseinc.org/family-stories.html 

#GivingTuesday

It's #GivingTuesday!

Make a statement! Give Dignity to a family in need by donating to Family House: http://ow.ly/rpzA0

Joy Littlesunday & Holiday Wishes

Joy has seen all of her first year milestones at Family House—first Christmas, first steps, first birthday.

Joy Littlesunday was just 3 weeks old when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (SCID) that runs in Native American populations.

Rushed to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital from Cameron, Arizona and less than two months old, Joy had a successful Bone Marrow Transplant. Over the past year and a half as baby Joy continues her treatment and recovery, Joy and her mother, Tina, have been staying at Family House. Separated by miles but not by love and support, Joy’s father Jarvison and siblings make the trip as often as possible.
 
 “Without Family House, I don’t know what we would be doing.  We miss home and being a whole family. Luckily, Family House has provided us the comfort and care to help us get through these challenging times. Family House has helped my daughter celebrate the truly precious child that she is.” - Tina Littlesunday

Help families like Joy's experience all the comforts of the holidays at their home away from home, Family House: Donate today! http://www.familyhouseinc.org/holidaywishes

Giving Tuesday

Do you know about #GivingTuesday?  It's the nonprofit world's answer to Black Friday.  Instead of focusing on consumerism, it's an appeal to give back. Please consider making a donation to Family House in someone's honor as a holiday gift.  Helping a family in need (especially around the holidays) feels so much better than that "ugly sweater" you were thinking to give.  http://www.familyhouseinc.org/donate.html

Triage Consulting Group: Rockstar Family House Volunteers

If you've been to a Family House fundraising event in the last few years, Triage Consulting Group volunteers have been there, helping with everything from set-up to check-in to selling raffle tickets and more.  If you've been to Family House as a guest or visitor or volunteer, there's a good chance you've been there with volunteers from Triage, there throwing a party for the kids, reorganizing the garage, painting a stairwell, making a meal…

Triage Consulting Group addresses the financial needs of health care providers in the Bay Area and beyond. The company offers its 450 employees in San Francisco and Atlanta Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to each employee, and everyone is encouraged to take time to help out in their community. This culminates in a special "Founder's Day" project - Family House has been a fortunate recipient of Triage's partnership for several years now. On "Founder's Day," Triage volunteers do a complete overhaul of a Family House bedroom - repainting, adding brand new closet organizers and decorations to the room - really sprucing it up to make it something special for families staying there.

James Zackler has been working at Triage since 2010, and has become an enthusiastic champion for Family House - joining the Family House Young Professionals Advisory Council, and now becoming YPAC Chair. Here's what he had to say about Triage, Family House, and YPAC:

"Throughout the year, Triage typically brings anywhere from 25-35 people to Family House for a party, like the Halloween party: pumpkin decorating, t-shirt/costume making, mask decorating, face painting, and trick-or-treat bag decorating. Triagers also put up Halloween decorations inside and outside of the house. While we run these activities, other Triage volunteers are cooking meals for families: lasagna, individual chicken pot pies, rice krispy treats, and pumpkin pie bars. We do something similar in December: we decorate the house with lights, stockings, trees, etc., and cook a big meal for everyone to enjoy.

"Triage has a lot of young, fun employees, which creates a very enjoyable work environment where many create lasting friendships outside of the office. Outside of work hours, we organize volunteers for Family House fundraising events such as Cabernet for Connoisseurs, San Francisco Magazine's Best of the Bay, the Annual Spring Gala, and Bubbles & Bling.

"I got involved in YPAC out of an interest in being more involved in Family House. I had spent many hours working at Family House events through Triage and was looking for an outlet to give back in my personal life as well. I was blessed to be born to a family whose values dictated that in exchange for food security, a good education, and a loving atmosphere, it was my duty to help others who were not as fortunate. Family House has provided me an ability to give back in many ways.  Plus working with Amy, Karen, Greg, and the others is always fun. We are looking to come up with new initiatives (e.g. kickstarter campaign, more networking events/newsletters) and to improve on our previous successes (Shipwrecked, young professional outreach). 

"I feel like Triage will never stop trying to help Family House. As our firm continues to grow in size, this means more VTOs, while exploring original ways to help further Family House’s mission. With Family House's new Mission Bay location, I am sure there will be fresh opportunities for Triage to provide support as well.

"I can genuinely say that the volunteer work Triagers do – while providing benefit to Family House – is a great benefit to Triagers and their future communities. Providing new Triagers the opportunity to visit Family House and help at Cabernet for Connoisseurs & Best of the Bay instills personal philanthropy in many of them. Each year, there is a new group of Triagers that makes the transition from the mindset of a college student that has little money and skill to offer the community to a young professional that has more of both. So – thank you Family House and thank you Triage for providing opportunity to discover the personal benefits of community service. "

Family House could not exist without volunteers like those from Triage. We love you so much and thank you for everything you do for our families! http://triageconsulting.com/

Get involved with Family House! Learn more at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

More Than a Hat, an interview with Brenda Orr

How did you first hear of Family House, and why did you decide to get involved?

I first heard about Family House when one of the teachers at Toro Park School (in Salinas, California) asked the staff if they could donate caps in the month of December to give to Family House.  When I went shopping, I could only afford 1-2 caps; [but I realized] I could pick out a pattern and sew caps a lot cheaper.  That was the start of my fleece cap campaign.  I’ve been making them ever since.

Fleece hats are your signature, how do you come up with the patterns and designs?

The pattern is from a pattern book.  There are only 2 pattern pieces.  They’re easy to cut out and easy to sew.  I buy fabric from a store in Morgan Hill that gives me discounts.  I buy fabric about once a month.  I love the old town Morgan Hill, so I treat myself to a trip downtown and visit my favorite shops.

When I make my caps, I usually make 20-30 or more.  I try to make an equal number of boys and girls caps.  I also make various sizes.

What do you do when you’re not making hats for Family House?

I am currently trying to get involved with the “Look Good, Feel Better” program through the American Cancer Society.  I like to make hats for ladies.  I have 3 different styles that I sew.

I am newly retired from teaching.  I am able to sew, swim, hike, read, take small trips, volunteer, and update my condo.

Last thoughts?

I’m real impressed with Family House.  The way they treat their patients and families is wonderful.  They’re organized and inspired.  Keep up the good work!

You can get involved with Family House! Learn more at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

Thanking the Community

Family House is fortunate to have such wide community support - everything from Inner Sunset neighbors who solicit donations on our behalf to international companies who rally hundreds of employees behind us for donations and volunteer hours.  We truly could not provide the services of Family House without the support of every member of our community!

Recently, we were contacted by Golden Gate Pedicab company - they wanted to know what they could do to help.  After some discussion, it was decided that they would give free rides along the Embarcadero to families from the Ferry Building to Pier 39 - a perfect "tourist" experience for families who are otherwise disabled and distracted by medical treatment, and can't take advantage of visiting San Francisco.

Then our volunteer coordinators, Greg and Karen, put their heads together, and said, "Who else do we know downtown who has offered to help Family House?"  Pier 39 donated VIP passes for the day, and Ben & Jerry's provided the ice cream for our special guests.

It is through the efforts and kindness of these special people in San Francisco that we were able to help families forget about their troubles for an afternoon.  Sunshine, ice cream, and a tour along the San Francisco Bay - what could be better?

Thank you to Golden Gate Pedicab, PIER 39, and Ben & Jerry's for this special day, and for all you do for Family House families!  Love!

You can get involved with Family House! Learn more at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

Thanking Comcast for their amazing donation!

In Memory Of

It's a sad fact of Family House life that sometimes young patients at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital don't get better.

We love to share the inspiring stories of patients and families who live through the struggle of a life with cancer or another life-threatening illness, so you can see the important work that we do. We want you to share in the triumphs of the amazing families we serve, and learn to share their strength with others in your life.

Every time one of our children passes away, it affects all of us. When the families come here, they are often here for so long that Family House truly becomes their home.  It's common to hear longtime families speak of "my kitchen" or "my room," even though they haven't slept here in years. Family House and San Francisco become as much a home to each of those people as to the staff and volunteers who spend countless hours at 50 Irving Street and 1234 10th Avenue.

We have photos of kids and families in every conceivable space here, and yet, there are other surprising little reminders that come up all the time: a construction paper card written in crayon, found in a file drawer; origami pumpkins found in a bin of event supplies in the garage; a hand-made bracelet from last year's Valentine's Day party hidden in a box of rubber bands.

One of the most special ways that we are reminded of a child who is no longer with us is when we receive "in memory of" gifts. These donations are often small amounts of money given by a friend of the family, a member of the family's church or school, or someone who perhaps never had the blessing of knowing the child, but heard through a friend of a friend that Family House helped them when they needed it most. The staff is always touched when we receive an "in memory of" donation, because they are reminders that though the family has moved back home, that child will never be forgotten. And through the generosity of the community that child has left behind, Family House is able to continue our mission of helping other families through what may be the hardest experience of their lives.

Click here to learn more about Family House families:
http://www.familyhouseinc.org/family-stories.html 

Volunteer Spotlight: Genentech

Family House has received a lot of volunteer support through individuals, community groups and especially corporate groups. One company that has stood out above the rest is Genentech. Located in South San Francisco, this cutting edge biotech company has been involved with Family House since 2010. Groups have come to disinfect communal areas, reorganize the garage space, paint communal areas, decorate during holidays and have even thrown special parties for families to enjoy.

Genentech has not only donated their time but they have also given us financial support as well. Family House was the beneficiary of Genentech’s Give Back Concert in 2013 where they donated over $22,000 through that event. In total, Genentech has donated or pledged over $140,000 to Family House since 2010.

Thank you so much Genentech for being a huge advocate and partner of Family House!

Get involved with Family House! Learn more at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/volunteer.html

Making Family House Wishes Come True

Comcast contacted Family House a while back, asking us what they could do to help. So we created an extensive wish list of everything both Houses need to run for about a six month period. The list including things like toilet paper, paper towels, tooth paste, shampoo, conditioner, etc...pretty much all the basic resources an individual needs to live somewhere. 

Comcast took this massive list we gave them and brought it to their employees. Four employees stepped up to oversee the collection of everything. Items were collected throughout Comcast's offices across northern California, and within a months time Comcast's employees had collected over 30,000 items. Then they came down and personally delivered all the items in multiple van loads of generosity.   

Comcast helped make it possible for us to house families for six more months. Their kindness is both inspiring and grately appreciated. It is donations like this one that help remind me how amazing the human heart is.

So from all of us here at Family House, Thank you Comcast and all of you employees who took the time to make a donation and make all our wishes come true. It means more then words can ever express, because it means one more family can find comfort and a home here while dealing with some of the hardest battles of their life.

Calling All Angels Update

#FHAngels, all we can say is WOW! The first week of the Calling All Angels crowdfunding campaign is coming to a close, and we’ve passed the first 1/3 of our goal - thank you!  Over 100 Family House Angels have already stepped up and donated to the campaign, and even more than that have been on board to help us spread the word.

We’ve got great perks for donating, including autographed items from the Grammy Award-winning SF band Train, and the chance to make your mark on the Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House - the new building that will be funded, in part, by this campaign.

We still need your help to make this campaign a success!

Visit http://indiegogo.com/projects/calling-all-angels and watch the new video - Jack’s Tale

Donate whatever you can to help us realize the new building

Share the campaign link on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus.  The bigger the reach, the better! And be sure to tag yourself as one of our #FHAngels!

We’re off to an outstanding start, and with your help, we’ll cross the finish line before the campaign is closed.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Calling All Angels!

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/calling-all-angels

Today is the day! Family House has started our first-ever crowd funding campaign, named the “Calling All Angels” campaign, on http://indiegogo.com/projects/calling-all-angels.

As we near the finish line of our $40 million Capital Campaign to build the new Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House in Mission Bay, we see this as an opportunity to make the Campaign “public,” and get everyone involved - even the people who can’t give the “big” gifts that we have been so fortunate to receive thus far.

The UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital has just completed construction on a new building in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco, and will be opening its doors to patients in early 2015. One of the biggest benefits that Family House offers is close proximity to the Children’s Hospital, and so, when we learned that the hospital would be moving across town, we started plans to move there, too.

We are very much looking forward to the new Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House, which is expected to open to families in late 2015. The new house will serve 80 families per night, more than doubling our current capacity. This means that we will expand our services beyond pediatric cancer patients, to ALL who need a place to stay while their child is undergoing treatment. Our hope is that no family will be turned away, and that all families in crisis will have the comfort and dignity of not worrying where they will sleep at night.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/calling-all-angels

What can you do to help?
Please visit http://indiegogo.com/projects/calling-all-angels and make a donation. Please also help us spread the word to your friends and family! It’s incredibly important that we reach as many people as possible. That’s the great thing about a crowd funding campaign - many small gifts come together for big results. (We have images that you can download at http://www.familyhouseinc.org/calling-all-angels.html - update your profile picture to show support for the campaign!)

As we receive no public funding or money from UCSF, we can’t do what we do without community support. Thank you for helping to support families of kids with life-threatening illnesses - your love means everything to families going through the toughest times of their lives.

Shop at Amazon Smile to Help Family House

Ever shop on Amazon.com?  If you're using the internet, you probably do.  You can help Family House when you shop online by starting your purchases at Smile.Amazon.com - set Family House as your selected charity, and a portion of every purchase gets donated back to help families of kids with life-threatening illnesses. The best part? It doesn't cost you a thing!  Sign up today at smile.amazon.com to help Family House San Francisco!

Click here to view the Family House wishlist:  http://www.familyhouseinc.org/wish-list.html