Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Of New England Inc

We will be always very grateful with Home Away Boston, the generosity of its donors and the warm and permanent hospitality of its staff. Our son needed Proton Radiation treatment that took about 8 weeks. We were much stressed for all that we were going through with our son but also for leaving our country in South America and having to spend two month away from home and far away from our other kids, family and friends . We do not have enough words to thank Home Away Boston for their help to us in this difficult moment, which not only alleviated a lot the economic stress but also gave us a warm and homey place to live. The apartment was beautiful and very well equipped, the building and the neighborhood is really nice. We actually really liked being in Charlestown, walking around we found a very nice Catholic Church (ST Mary´s Church) and we enjoyed going to the mass there. We also enjoyed the Harbor walk a lot. Our son was feeling very comfortable in the apartment. Also being able to receive our other kids and cousins was very important to us. Thanks so much Home Away Boston, Sara and Kim for being so generous and nice with us!!!

Home Away Boston saved us when our daughter had to have surgery and was going to be in the hospital over a week. The thought of her going through all of this was bad enough, but to have to worry about missing work and paying to stay in Boston was overwhelming. We were able to stay in Charlestown in a beautiful apartment that felt like a second home. The support that the staff and donors offered was incredibly unexpected and made everything so much easier that we could function and be 100% for our daughter. I can't imagine what we would've done if we hadn't been fortunate enough to find them. There isn't enough I can say to express just how much we appreciate all they did for us.

After our two year old son experienced a stroke, we found ourselves in Boston at Spaulding Rehab Hospital with the stress of needing to find living arrangements during his stay. My application for HAB was answered almost immediately and I was able to stay in one of their beautiful apartments until our son was discharged. I can't express how grateful I was to be given the opportunity to stay so close to Spaulding (my wife was able to spend each night with our son). The staff is professional and extremely helpful and the apartment was amazing. To have such a stress-free living arrangement allowed my wife and I to focus on the care our son required as his recovery progressed. We will forever be grateful to the HAB organization.

We can't say enough good things about our experience. Our son needed Proton Radiation treatment that took about 7 weeks. The apartment was exactly what we needed and came with all the amenities of home. The building is beautiful. We actually really liked being in Charlestown...a little away from the madness of the hospital. The shuttle was perfect to get us to and from treatment. We met some other really wonderful families there and it made us feel not so alone. Spaulding Rehabilitation Center's playground is right next-door and amazing. We played there almost every day. They have a really nice cafeteria too that's open late with some nice outside seating. There is a super hip restaurant nearby (Brewer's Fork) where we went for brunch every Sunday, especially when we had people visiting. The water taxi is fun for kids and gets you downtown quick and easy. When our son was feeling well it felt like we were on vacation. It's a great place and we'll be grateful for the rest of our lives that we got to stay there.

Home Away Boston was really a godsend for our family. We are from TX and and our daughter suffered an injury at Logan Airport just before we went home. After CPR and two weeks in the ICU at Mass General, she was transferred to Spaulding rehab hospital in Jamestown for rehab. While there was no apartment open for the first six weeks of our unplanned stay, one freed up for our last two weeks. It was wonderful in relieving part of the financial burden after staying in hotels for six weeks, and the apartment was much nicer than the rather stark YMCA hotel and just across the street from Spaulding hospital.

We just can't say enough good things about it. The apartment allowed us to more easily simulate being at home and there was even space in the garage for our rental car.

Thank you Home Away Boston and keep up the great work helping families in need!!

We are so thankful for HAB! Both Kim and Cailin were such a blessing and so helpful during our stay. We were here from Michigan for 8 weeks as our daughter underwent proton radiation for a recurrent brain tumor. By staying here, we were able to focus on our daughter and not have to worry about financials. The apartment was clean and had everything you could think of! We can't speak more highly about this place - certainly wonderful! We are so grateful that God directed us here.

We were truly Blessed to find HAB! We stayed at HAB for 7 weeks while our 12 year old daughter received proton radiation and chemotherapy. It took a huge financial strain off our family and allowed us to focus on our daughters treatment for 2 brain tumors. Kim and Cailin were kind and so helpful. The apartment was clean, comfortable, quiet and really did feel like our home away from home. Can't say enough good things about this place! A+, top, notch! Grateful that MGH directed us to HAB.

We weren't sure where we were going to stay during our son's proton treatment for brain tumors/cancer. Home Away Boston not only blessed us with a place to stay, but allowed us to live as normally as possible! The staff are the most amazing people! Thank you HAB!

We needed to travel from North Carolina to Boston for our ten year old daughter to receive proton treatment at MGH. The hospital gave us information about Home Away Boston and it was an extremely easy process to get set up with an apartment through this organization. We didn't have to do anything but give them basic information and show up at the apartment for our schedule treatment. The apartment was stocked with basic foods as well as equipped with linens and towels. The apartment is very clean and in a wonderful quiet neighborhood in Charlestown.

There is a hospital shuttle that runs every 15 minutes 1 block from the apartment that is a great option for transportation. We were also given a parking spot in the underground garage which was wonderful.

Cailin and Kimberly helped us with everything from advice about the city, apartment needs, and tickets for kids activities around the city. They sent out weekly newsletters that informed us to what was going on around the city and in the community center. We especially enjoyed family nights at the apartment where they provided activities and all of the families at Home Away were able to come together.

We are very thankful for our experience here at Home Away Boston. Having the opportunity to stay here took a tremendous financial burden off of our family. We were able to focus on our daughter during this difficult time instead of worrying about the financial impact this trip would take on us.

THANK YOU HOME AWAY BOSTON!!

We had the pleasure of staying at Home Away Boston during my daughter's treatment at MGH.
The apartment was beautiful; located in the safe neighborhood and with an underground parking, which was a huge plus in the winter months. The free shuttle to the hospital was just around the corner and made it very easy to get to and from the treatments.
Being able to stay at Home Away Boston free of charge was a huge help to us. We did not have to worry about anything as the apartment was stacked dishes, bedding, towels, and even basic food items.
Home Away employees, Cailin and Kim, were extremely nice and made us feel welcome. They even thought about us at Christmas and left us gifts!
We especially enjoyed family nights, where we had a change to meet many wonderful volunteers as well as other families who were going through similar treatments.
We will be forever grateful to everyone who is a part of Home Away Boston organization!

Where would we be without Home Away Boston? I can't even imagine. I am a single, self employed mother. My 10 year daughter had Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After we found out she would need proton radiation I was terrified at where we would end up spending the month or if we would have to make a daily commute from Connecticut. Fortunately for us one of the exceptional staff at Home Away Boston quickly took care of that concern. I still don't know how they found out about us but THEY contacted US!! Not only was it no cost to stay with them but the apartments are clean, beautiful, conveniently located to the free shuttle to Mass General. There is also free indoor parking, an absolute luxury in Boston winters.
In addition they gave us passes to a few sights around the city. I never could have afforded what we did on my own.
We were thankful for family night. The chance to talk to other parents who are going through the same thing was priceless, and kids her age to interact with was a great distraction. I had worked so much through her chemo I never had the chance to track down other parents who would understand. I met those people while getting our nails done by a truly wonderful volunteer. Even after we have been home for a little while and are readjusting to "normal life," we still keep in contact. It's such a help to know others are going through the same thing. Also getting our nails done.. it was great to feel like a girl again rather than a machine. Therapy dogs helped ease the sadness of missing our own pets. Cooking night...to not have to think about it one meal was a blessing and great for the kids.

I cannot speak highly enough of the staff. They are so patient and truly empathetic to what we are going through as parents. Their kindness helped more than they may comprehend.

Home Away Boston is vital and I hope to see the organization grow to meet the needs of others who have to endure such a difficult time.

Home Away Boston can be likened to a modern day "Knight in shining armor", as our life took a turn in to the dark, gloomy world of cancer for our four year old daughter. With the search for the best treatment she was whisked to Boston to participate in radiation at the Francis Burr Proton center. Our family was threatened with the prospect of sacrificing the tight knit support of each other for the best medical attention in the world. That's when Home Away swooped in to offer us a place we could all live as a family. A beautiful apartment, in a safe building, in a grand historic Charlestown neighborhood was available to our family. Not only were we given safety, every amenity one could desire, but most importantly we were given our family ... together. We all were able to benefit from our time together in Boston, but none more than our daughter in some of her lowest times. She had her sisters and brothers to play with and cheer her along. Both her mother and father to hold her and wipe her tears. An infant sister to put a smile on her face from a hospital bed, from her weary cheeks, from a heavy heart lifted in delight. What a treasure and a blessing to be able to be a family. Its affect on us all was one of the greatest gifts we have received.
Secondly, the Home Away staff provided community involvement and weekly meet ups with tenants that helped to make our stay in Boston feel like a family trip, not a medical move. The care for our family and the energy they exerted was a treat to receive.
Lastly, we will not soon forget our time at Home Away Boston, we hope to always look on our time there with the hope and love it brought in our time of distress. In a mixed sense of emotion, I am glad to close the door on the trials of treatment, but the experience was overshadowed by cherished memories and once in a life time opportunities. We are grateful for it all!

We felt incredibly blessed to stay at the Home Away Boston apartment during my daughter's 6 week proton radiation treatment. Coming from Vermont, we'd already overstayed our welcome at a relative's house during the ICU portion of our experience, so having a lovely apartment so close to MGH free of charge was absolutely invaluable. The shuttle was also an amazing perk.

Cailin and Kim couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. The concierge's were also super friendly.

It was surprisingly quiet in the apartment and we appreciated the corner view of the water. The location was also really convenient. It gave me a whole new appreciation for Charlestown (we lived in MA for 20 years prior to moving to VT).

Having food and other household products, as well as cooking, eating, and clothes washing supplies was also such a lovely touch.

This is a tremendous service that is being offered to families who are going through such a difficult time.

Thank you, thank you!

Our entire experience with Home Away Boston was positive. Once our initial contact was made, everything happened smoothly. The apartment was expertly furnished and very convenient. Shuttle service to the hospital could not have been more efficient. Family nights in the community room were a lot of fun and a great opportunity to meet other families. HAB made our stay in Boston more comfortable than we could have imagined.

I am so glad a non-profit like Home Away Boston exists. There is definitely a need for the support provided by the organization. Families are ensured a comfortable space to call home for the duration of their child's treatment and it makes a world of difference.
During my time as a volunteer at Home Away Boston (HAB), I was certainly able to see that the mission was being fulfilled every single day. The Staff and Board of Directors work together to continue to enlarge the vision for this non-profit organization. Kim and Cailin whose office is nestled in the HAB Community Space are very attentive and present. They have done a good job bringing family-friendly activities and passionate individuals into the space. Ice-cream making, arts&crafts, concerts, and tours are just a few of the many recommendations hanging in the community space to encourage families to make positive memories during their stay in the Greater Boston Area.
As a volunteer, I have realized that being understanding, present, and open can make a lasting positive impact on the families that come through the doors of Home Away Boston. I enjoyed interacting with families during Thursday Night Family Nights. I am very excited to see Home Away Boston continue to expand its reach! #KeepingFamiliesClose

It is great to see HomeAwayBoston continue to grow and serve families from around the world. The very successful partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities has enabled much needed expansion of apartments and the creation of a community room. I encourage those who can to volunteer and donate. There are more children and families who need our help.

My family felt incredibly fortunate to be able to stay at HomeAway Boston for the final four weeks of my son's cancer treatment. Kim and Cailin made us feel very comfortable, and they do an amazing job with the apartments. It was nice to have food in the kitchen upon our arrival, and a designated parking spot right underneath the complex. The concierge was very friendly, and the shuttle drivers were very patient and helpful with getting our son's wheelchair onto the bus. Charlestown was just a beautiful, peaceful place to be spending a pretty stressful period of our lives in.

It has been such a privilege to work with such kind and caring people. As a high school student it has been such a wonderful experience to be able to see how much work and heart goes into this non-profit in order to prosper and expand. The families I get to spend time with are going through so much so everyone at home away really strives to make their lives as easy and comfortable as possible during this stressful experience. I love being able to hang out with the children and I am very thankful to be a small piece of this great community.

My 17 year old son and I stayed at Home Away Boston while he was undergoing both proton radiation and chemotherapy treatments at Mass General. The apartment was fantastic and the service provided to us was superb. The first evening we stayed at Home Away my son was experience terrible pain, the front desk was able to get me a cab at 11:45 pm and waited for me to return home safely from the 24 hour drug store at 12:30. His shift ended at Midnight. Greg's siblings, dad, grandparents and friends were all able to visit. I cannot say enough about this wonderful program.

During our stay my husband lost his brother suddenly, upon our return to the apartment we found a sympathy card and a fathers day card for my husband. Cailen and Kim thought of everything. We will always be grateful to have been given this opportunity. I cannot imagine how we would have gotten through this part of the treatment plan with out Home Away Boston. Thank you so much ! The Jacobson Family

My 9 year old daughter Samantha and I stayed at HomeawayBoston during the worst winter in a decade. Having a safe, cozy and well-kept apartment to come back to from MGH each day made her cancer treatments, and this past winter, not so gloomy. The HAB staff was amazing and welcomed Sam's daily visits down the hall to the "community space" with cheerful smiles. The activities they planned for the kids were fun and they often gave us tickets for us to enjoy other city attractions, too. The apartment's front desk staff were also very friendly and helpful in so many ways and looked forward to Sam's visit to the mailroom to pick up her "fan mail" each afternoon.
In addition to not having an extra financial burden on us, our 6 weeks were enriched by meeting other families whose kids were also in treatment that were staying in one of HAB's other units. We instantly bonded with others who knew exactly what we were going through and have remained friends. My daughter also loved meeting the dogs in the building as she missed hers so much. The location of the apartment (on the water, with a playground next door) with stores and restaurants nearby, plus a very safe neighborhood, made this a perfect home-away. We couldn't be more grateful for staying there during the most stressful time of our lives. Keep up the good work folks!

I cannot begin to express how thankful and grateful my family and I were when Home Away Boston came to our rescue! This program has re invented my view on humanity. My son, Joseph was diagnosed with a seriously aggressive brain tumor just weeks after his first birthday. We're from Sacramento, CA and traveled all the way to Boston to get the after treatment my son needed. We stayed in a small hotel for about 5 days and that was not comfortable or cheap! Kim, the coordinator with Home Away Boston called us just in the nick of time to let us know an apartment became available. I cried when I walked into the apartment. Not only was the apartment very clean and fully furnished, but the refrigerator was full of food and so was the cabinets. I was so stressed out with everything going on - feeding yourself is almost the last thing you think of... but they had it all covered... I feel blessed to be able to have experienced this program. Kim was more like a best friend than an employee.. She was so personable, caring and attentive. We were very comfortable & fell in love with Boston !!!

It is a privilege to work with such a great group of people who are providing tremendous support and assistance to families who are under incredible stress. The families show unbelievable courage in the face of very scary medical diagnoses. Without an organization like Home Away Boston, many of these families could not afford to come to Boston to receive the world class treatment that MGH provides. Beyond the provision of accommodations, Home Away Boston also provides a community and caring volunteers who can provide additional support to these families.

My journey began with my niece Katie. Katie has struggled with the effects of cancer and it's treatments for twenty five years. While in Boston for six weeks of Proton Radiation the wonderful generous people of Home Away Boston made us feel happy. To a cancer patient happiness is precious. It was a privilege to have stayed in the apartment that we were provided with, without a doubt it was our soft spot to fall. Words cannot express the difference Home Away Boston made in those unimaginable weeks. Thank You to all the dear people who make this amazing happy place possible. Our lives have been touched and we will forever be changed by YOU!
We are the Georgia Cowgirls

My name is Katelyn Elizabeth Norman, but everyone calls me Katie. I am 25 years old and dealing with the long term health issues from the treatment for a brain tumor that I received as a baby. I have multiple meningiomas in the brain. Most recently, one of the tumors was causing double vision in my left eye, so I went to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston earlier this year for six weeks of proton radiation treatment. Home Away Boston made the experience so much easier and more comfortable for my mother, me, and our support/cheerleader girls. I feel we couldn’t have done what we had to do if it wasn’t for Home Away. You gave us the absolute perfect place to stay and we had the most wonderful experience while in Boston!

I have seen first hand how stressful it can be for a family when a child contracts cancer. It is not only emotionally devastating, but can also become financially overwhelming. Home Away Boston helps to reduce both the emotional and financial anxiety by providing families with comfortable long-term accommodations for the course of the child's treatment. Without the housing provided by Home Away Boston, these families would not have the resources to stay in the Boston area and would most likely have to forgo the specialized care available at MGH. Home Away Boston provides a vital service for a fragile and underserved population.

We in the Boston are very fortunate to have world class hospitals in our backyard. The cutting edge treatment available at the Proton Center located at the Massachusetts General Hospital would not be available to many of the children from around the United States if not for the housing resource, Home Away Boston. They provide free apartments to the children while they are undergoing Proton Radiation Therapy, often here for six weeks.
Thanks to Home Away Boston for the apartments and their reach out to the Charleston neighborhood for support of friendship and activities for the families while they are here.

MassGeneral Hospital for Children is renowned for pioneering proton radiotherapy to treat cancer and other tumors affecting the pediatric population. However, most of our patients travel from great distances to receive proton radiotherapy as part of their comprehensive cancer care. Home Away Boston not only provides housing for families while they are receiving care with us, but also a support network. All of this is provided free of charge to the patient and the family—many of whom would not be able to come for this treatment. Given that many kids are nutritionally challenged during therapy, the apartment setting with the kitchen that allows for home cooked meals really helps in the overall healing process as well. We are truly blessed and consider HAB as partners in healing these children.

Home Away Boston provides a critical service for families dealing with pediatric cancer. Providing a place to stay removes some of the stress related to what they are going through and in many cases is the only way they would be able to come to Boston for treatment because of the cost of housing. The support given by the staff and by other families is an important part of what Home Away provides and also helps contribute to a positive outcome both for the patient and their families.

My 14 year old boy was diagnosed with Cancer(Osteo sarcoma) and had major surgury to remove tumor from his hip. Homeaway gave my family a place to stay so we could be by his side during his stay at MGH and then on to Spaulding for rehab. I could not have have made it thru without the help of homaway and the kindness of Kim . I can only hope that if any other family finds themselves in a similar situation that homeaway is funded to continue the awesome support that we received.
NICK STRONG

My 14 year old daughter and I spent our summer in Boston so she could receive proton radiation at MGH. Being from Western Canada finding somewhere to stay in Boston for a few months was really stressful on us. Contacting Home away Boston and having the opportunity to stay with them was an absolute blessing for my family.
My daughter and I were at ease and very comfortable during a very trying time in our lives. Our time spent in Boston would not have been the same with out home away Boston and we are forever greatful

I don't know what I would have done if I did not have Home Away Boston. My son, Kevin was in the hospital for 102 days and during his 6 weeks of proton therapy, Home Away gave me a literal home away from home. We had a one bedroom apartment overlooking the water. It was a place I could go for real rest and relaxation. The apartments are fully equipped with everything you need. Ours even came with a Christmas Tree. We were there over Christmas. We even had a parking space (which is very rare for Boston). We lived over 1 hour and 45 minutes from the treatment center so having the ability to be able to focus on my son's recovery and not have to worry about housing, especially in the winter, truly made a HUGE difference. They also offered activities for the families. I cannot say enough about Kim the Director and how blessed we were to have this option.

Home Away Boston was an incredible blessing to us during an extremely difficult time! My 24-year old daughter has multiple meningiomas from her original radiation treatment when she was 3 years old, one of which was impacting her vision. We were advised by our local doctor to go to Mass General Hospital for proton radiation. It meant moving from Georgia to Boston for six weeks, taking six weeks off from my job, finding airfare and finding a place to stay. We were overwhelmed with the logistics and the finances (my daughter’s individual health insurance policy is $880.00 per month). My husband had passed away from cancer eight years ago, so it is just my daughter and me. His sister offered to go with us, and we were frantically trying to find a place to stay.

After being turned down at two other places, the social worker at MGH suggested that we fill out an application with Home Away Boston, and Kim Sheridan called the next day. The friendliness of her voice paired with the offer of a place to stay for all three of us was the bright spot at the end of a very dark tunnel. The opportunity to have a beautiful apartment in the Charlestown Navy Yard with hospital bus transportation a half block away was incredible. The beauty of the Harbor Walk, the calming influence of the water and boats, and all the fantastic architecture and history of the Navy Yard and Boston overall was an experience that was life-changing for all three of us.

We cannot thank Home Away Boston enough for their help in giving us the opportunity to receive excellent medical care from the world-class doctors and staff at Mass General. We could not have afforded it without the help from this wonderful organization.

As a pediatric oncologist at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children I know firsthand how critical it is for a family to not have to worry about housing when they come to MGH for their child's cancer care. Having a child diagnosed with cancer impacts everyone in the family. Home Away Boston provides free and lovely apartments for our patients that are just a short shuttle ride to MGH. The one and two bedroom apartments provide an opportunity for many family members to stay or visit during a prolonged treatment course for their child. Families and patients staying at Home Away Boston also have the opportunity to support each other in a friendly and safe environment. Without Home Away Boston, many families would not be able to come to Boston because they coldn't afford the cost of housing.

We traveled to Boston June/July 2013 so our daughter could receive proton beam radiation treatments at MGH. We were thankful that we were referred to Home Away Boston. The staff were extremely helpful and we couldn't have asked for a better apartment. We cannot say enough good things about this organization and what they do to help families in need.

Despite being there for a serious medical condition, we made the most of our stay. The location in Charlestown is great and the MGH buses provide easy access to the hospital and the T. There are some nice restaurants within walking distance to the apartment and who can complain about the proximity to the North End. All in all we highly recommend Home Away Boston.

My daughter had proton beam radiation treatments at Mass General in June and July 2013. Securing a place to stay was becoming very difficult until someone passed on the Home Away Boston information to me. The first time I spoke with Martha, I felt at ease. She was able to secure an apartment for our family to begin our stay. We had to move out for 2 weeks, but then were able to move back in to an even larger apartment. While we were at the "other" location, we realized how lucky we were to have the opportunity to stay in an apartment versus an hotel room. Having a separate bedroom, full kitchen and on demand movies available, made our experience much more comfortable and more like home.

Martha and the Home Away Boston organization truly make a lasting, positive impact on people's lives. My son and I had to be in Boston for almost 2 months this past winter while he received treatment at Mass General. When I reached out to Martha, she was able to accomodate our request for housing. When we arrived in Boston, we were absolutely astounded to see how beautiful the Home Away Boston apartments are! Much more important, however, was that after a long day of treatment, my son and I could come "home" and relax and eat dinner together and maintain a somewhat normal life. Martha would regularly phone or email us to make sure we had everything we needed and even connected us to local social and sporting events. Although my son's treatment was a difficult time for us, we will fondly remember our time at Home Away Boston. We cannot say enough good things about this organization!

A family member for the DC area needed to receive proton therapt treatment in Boston. Finding short term housing without having to pay another mortgage payment was not easy. Lucky fo rthem they were able to get what they needed and she's healthy!
I wanted to help other families going through the same situation. This organization is critical to families from all over the world who seek life-saving treatment.

Home Away Boston is a wonderful organization with such a great purpose and focus. It is not only an ideal offering for families in need, it is a well run, effective non-profit and many families will benefit from it's services. I have truly enjoyed working with Martha and her team and find great joy in what they do for families from around the world.

We discovered on June 15 2013 that our son was admitted to the Massachusetts General Proton Therapy center in Boston. This was good news as his disease is expected to respond very well to this treatment. But it was bad news as well because we do not live in Boston. I started investigating staying with friends in the area and at local hotels. Our friends are more than an hour away, without traffic, and the hotel options were not possible based on the expense.

Thank goodness for Home Away Boston. They provided us an apartment, free of charge, for the duration of Michael's treatment. This was a life saver. It was convenient to the hospital and the local shuttles and a very comfortable home for our six weeks in Boston. It helped reduce the burden and stress of being away from home for this time and allowed us to relax and, despite undergoing treatment, enjoy our time in Boston.

I would like to recognize Home Away Boston as a first rate charitable organization worthy of any donations and support. This is the first time we have had to rely on a charity, and are very thankful it was there. It is not clear how we would have been able to complete this treatment without their support. If you have supported Home Away Boston, then, we thank you very much.

Three days before we left our home in MN, we recieved a call from Home Away Boston, offering us free housing while our daughter recieved a specialized type of radiation that was not available nearby our home. She would need daily treatments for 2 months.

It was a time of upheaval at our house. Our 8 year old daughter had been fighting cancer for 5 years of her life, and the chemotherapy drugs could no longer hold the tumor at bay. Her health was deteriorating. The stress was heightened because we had exhausted treatments that had sound research behind them, and were entering into cutting-edge treatment options that came with substancial risks to our daughter. The answers were not clear, and we had to take a leap of faith. Not only did we have to decide what treatment to give to her, but we had to figure out if my husband could get work off, who would help take care of our other child, how my daughter would keep up academically when missing a full quarter of school, along with countless other things. Needless to say, our minds were spinning; our emotions were overpowering. We had no idea how we were going to get this to work, but we knew it was what we had to do.

Home Away Boston helped us in so many ways. The most obvious relief was that we wouldn't be having the financial strain of paying for 2 homes for an extended period of time. That gift in itself took an enormous weight off our shoulders. It would seem like that would be the only help Home Away Boston would provide for us...but that wasn't true at all. We had a welcoming voice on the end of a telephone, guiding us to a safe haven right when we got off the airplane. We had basic staples stocked in our kitchen that allowed us to eat a few meals before figuring out how the public transportation system would get us to a grocery store. We had a number to call if any problems with the apartment came up. We had a packet of information about what was closeby in the area, about kid friendly activities going on, and basic information that would we didn't need to waste our time and energy figuring out. Housing was officially off of our worry list.

The apartment provided to us was clean, bright and comfortable--truly a home away from home--not a hotel. The apartment even had games, books and toys to make it appealing to our little girl who had left all of those things behind. Our daughter needed a lot of rest during these treatments, and the apartment had a seperate bedroom that allowed her to rest peacefully as opposed to a hotel room where we'd disrupt her ability to do that. The hallways weren't bustling with tourists and travelers, but rather friendly people who lived there. It gave us a sense of stability and made this big city less intimidating. The setting was peaceful, allowing us to look out over the harbor and sit on a nearby pier at the end of the day. It was a gift that we never expected and will never forget. It reminded us hope of all the goodness in the world, when we were facing such difficult days.

Imagine finding out your child has a serious medical condition that requires six weeks of Proton Beam treatment, five days a week at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Even with health care, there is still the issue of where to stay in Boston and how to pay for it. HomeAwayBoston provides a free apartment and family support for the family during the treatment . Finally, a little ray of sunshine at a difficult time.