May - June, 2008, newsletter

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends,

Recently I received a call from the grandmother of a child from Kentucky who stayed at Christopher’s Haven last year. She called because she wants to donate a new crib to honor Lauren, who is home and doing very well.

In 2007, 22 families stayed at Christopher’s Haven while their children received daily outpatient treatments for cancer. Those families are now home and picking up where they left off. I am honored to receive calls like this frequently. But I want to share this news with the many friends of Christopher’s Haven who make it possible for the organization to grow to meet the needs of families coming to Boston from far away.

I am excited to launch this first edition of the Christopher’s Haven e-newsletter. We have so much news to share with our growing group of Christopher’s Haven families, volunteers, donors and supporters.

We will bring you updates and news, but we also hope you will share your experiences with us. So many people volunteer in so many ways that this will be one opportunity for us to recognize your stories and celebrate your contributions.

As one mother put it, with your help, Christopher’s Haven is making a real difference — one family at a time.

— Martha
Martha Bernard Welsh

MEET THE MAY-JUNE CHRISTOPHER’S HAVEN GUESTS

CHRISTOPHER’S HAVEN IS GROWING AGAIN!
5TH APARTMENT OPENING IN JUNE!

Christopher’s Haven opened our first apartment in September 2006 to a family from Alabama whose little girl was receiving treatment across the street at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children. Since then, Christopher’s Haven, a 501(c)3 non-profit, has provided a comfortable home away from home for more than 28 pediatric cancer patients and their families who have traveled to Boston for 6-8 weeks of daily outpatient proton radiation treatment.

In March of this year we doubled our capacity by taking four apartments at One Emerson Place in the West End. In June we will add a fifth. Our goal is to create a space where seven residential units and a common room will be welcoming and supportive for visiting families.

All four suites at Christopher’s Haven are currently occupied and the waiting list is growing. In 2007, 108 children were treated at the proton center. 85% of them came from out of state.

Christopher’s Haven has hosted families from as far away as Germany and as near as Connecticut.

BOSTON’S UNIQUE CANCER THERAPY

MassGeneral Hospital/MassGeneral Hospital for Children, recognized world wide as a leader in pediatric cancer care, is the originator of proton therapy, a radiation treatment that is important for children because it minimizes damage to their healthy organs, tissues and bones. Presently the only proton available in the northeast is at MGH. In 2007, 108 pediatric patients were treated; 86% of whom came from out of state requiring accommodation during their 6-8 weeks of daily outpatient treatment.

Close proximity is highly valued by families who have stayed at Christopher’s Haven because of emergencies, but also to be able to take advantage of the many programs and services offered by the hospital.

Here is what families have said about
their time at Christopher's Haven

"Our time in Boston was even better than I could have imagined it" <More>

— Lynnea, age 7 (by her mother)

"...without [Christopher’s Haven] we didn't know how we were going to stay in Boston for 2 months." <More>

— Noah, age 16 months (by his mother)

"It will be great to be so near the hospital because it will give us a lot more flexibility with the kids and activities that go on for them at the hospital like art and music therapy..." <More>

— McKenna, age 2 ½ (by her mother)

"...It did feel like we were home. Just what Christopher’s Haven is trying to accomplish!..." <More>

— Jerry, age 15 (from his mother)

Your donation will help us continue to provide housing for our children while they are being treated for cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital, and provide them with a home away from home.

If you would like to make a donation using your credit card, please click here.

If you would like to go directly to PayPal to make one-time or recurring donations, including non-United States based donations, please click here.

Christopher's Haven | 30 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA 01778 | 1-888-901-KIDS