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There’s no place Jennifer Jackson would rather receive treatment for her cancer, a chronic form of sarcoma, than the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. But for Jackson, a resident of Lexington, Kentucky, it means traveling to Boston every two months for the high-quality care she receives at the hands of DF/BWCC staff.
“I’ve been to other cancer centers, but the care here really is superior,” said Jackson, a patient of oncologist Suzanne George, MD, and surgeon Yolonda Colson, MD, PhD. “I’ve always been impressed with the way they work with me and consider my needs and wants.”
In March, Jackson needed surgery, which required her to stay in Boston for a month of follow-up visits afterward. She and her husband, Kristopher Cumbermack, felt fortunate to be placed in a private apartment in Reservoir Towers in Brighton through the Hospitality Homes program.
Founded in 1983, Hospitality Homes strives to meet the housing needs of patients and their families when they travel to Boston, matching them with volunteer host homes in the community.
The Reservoir Towers
apartment was donated to the program by philanthropists Gerald and Elaine Schuster, in consort with their Wingate family of companies, for those facing long-term stays.
“The apartment is right across the street from the reservoir, and we’ve been able to walk the path around it every day,” said Jackson. “Walking is an important part of my recovery from surgery.”
Conveniently located on the Green Line, the apartment building also features elevator access, laundry facilities and a swimming pool. Guests have their own kitchen, enabling them to prepare their own meals.
“The beauty is that the patients have their own facilities,” said Gerald Schuster. “They don’t have to go out to restaurants, saving them both the cost and inconvenience of dining out.”
Jackson recently had appointments at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Dana-Farber on the same day. “I was able to come back to the apartment, prepare lunch and take a nap in between appointments instead of staying at the hospital all day,” she said, adding that the privacy and solitude of the accommodations has made her recovery more comfortable.
The apartment has hosted about 70 families from BWH and other hospitals in Boston since 2003. BWH Plastic Surgery is among the clinics that have partnered with Hospitality Homes to place patients coming to Boston for long-term stays.
“It’s a huge help for people coming here from out of state,” said Lisa Quinn, medical secretary in Plastic Surgery. “Cost is a big concern for a lot of patients, especially if they have to stay for an extended period of time. Staying in a hotel just isn’t an option.”
Christine Collins, executive director of BWH Patient Access Services and board member for Hospitality Homes, emphasized how important it is for patients to be surrounded by family during recovery.
“The presence of family members is a vital part of the healing process,” said Collins. “We’re thankful to the entire Schuster family for providing this incredible resource to patients and taking away some of the stress and anxiety they are experiencing.”
For more information on Hospitality Homes, visit www.hosp.org.