For visitors of Kevin Guest House, home is always nearby. As America's first health care hospitality house, it was founded by Claudia and Cyril Garvey to honor their late son Kevin who passed away from leukemia. Today, more than 45 years later, Executive Director Lynsey Weaver leads its mission to provide patients and families with the comforts of home and a respite for journeys that extend beyond the walls of a medical treatment center."We are truly a gem in this city," she said. "It's the best example of the 'City of Good Neighbors' for families who face critical and emergency medical situations to have a safe and comfortable place to stay while seeking care for themselves or loved ones."
Since starting in 1972, Kevin Guest House has provided a second home for patients, caregivers, and loved ones seeking medical care at facilities in the Buffalo Niagara region. Its service model has inspired the creation of 600 similar homes around the country, most notably Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia. Weaver likens their approach to a guest support system for the region's medical centers - a relationship model that's hard to find even at national institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Cleveland Clinic.
"What's unique about Kevin Guest House is that we're really making a difference for all hospitals in our area," she said. "In fact, the president and CEO of Roswell [Park Cancer Institute] even noted that some of our apartments have changed the protocol in the way they're able to treat [their own] patients, making the treatment process easier for patients and their families."
Kevin Guest House has also built a mini-community within itself. Patients make breakfast in communal kitchens before heading out for treatment. At night, many gather together for group dinners. Weaver and Development Director Pam Chrzanowski often witness these inspiring stories. And while some are bittersweet, all underscore the powerful connections guests forge with the Kevin Guest House and with each other.
"Unfortunately, we deal with a lot of end-of-life situations," said Chrzanowski. "But even through these, families communicate with us. There was a gentleman whose mother passed away. He brought in her favorite plant and a photo of her, and asked us to keep it through the season so it would bloom and keep her spirit here in the house."
These stories fuel Weaver's vision to further grow Kevin Guest House. The organization has a new campaign to double its capacity to meet rising patient needs connected with the growth of its neighbors on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Kevin Guest House also is committed to continue serving hospitals that serve as economic drivers for Buffalo.
As part of this role, Kevin Guest House hosts its annual Affaire of the Heart fundraiser - the organization's "signature" event that brings together donors, supporters, and friends from across Buffalo's medical community to celebrate the year's accomplishments and look ahead to the future. To Weaver, this gathering highlights the potential of what meaningful collaborations can do for patients.
"We are really looking forward to building better partnerships with our region's hospitals and being able to serve even larger families," said Weaver. "Our goal is to never have to turn somebody away again."
The future looks bright. Kevin Guest House's campaign to double occupancy is leading to unprecedented changes in breadth and scope of service. It is also expanding their volunteer program to further engage the community in their mission. But beyond growth and the promise of potential, Weaver notes that memories and relationships endure the longest of all.
"We work for every time a guest gives you 'that moment' where it means something - where you've made life a little easier," she said. "What really matters is that time somebody leaves and you've truly made a personal connection that meant so much to them."
To learn more about Lynsey, Pam, and Kevin Guest House, visit http://www.kevinguesthouse.org.