Halo House, A Home Away From Home

When 26-year-old Derek was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he was a young dad and husband fighting a tough battle against his disease. When his cancer returned, he and his wife Emily left their home in Florida to seek life-saving treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

His frequent and lengthy trips to Houston quickly depleted the young family of all their savings, and Derek's greatest concern was the fact that he would be leaving his wife and children destitute. Derek's oncologist, Dr. Nathan Fowler, was deeply disturbed over his patient's troubles and began to share this with his family. Derek became the Fowler's inspiration to open Halo House, a home away from home, for patients with blood cancer.

Approximately 150,000 men and women will be diagnosed with a blood cancer in 2015 and this number continues to increase each year. Last year, thousands sought care for their blood cancer at MD Anderson. These are not patients who live just in Houston, but who come from all over the country to receive treatments.

Cancer is very expensive. A recent Harvard University study suggests that more than 62% of all personal bankruptcies are caused by overwhelming medical expenses (even though 60% of those had health insurance). There are so very many costs involved.

Founded in 2009, Halo House Foundation is a 501c3 public charity whose mission is to help save the lives of cancer patients battling leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma by offering them access to clean, affordable temporary housing so that they can pursue life-saving treatment.

The Halo House Foundation provides a fully furnished apartment to patients and caregivers while they are undergoing treatment at Houston's Texas Medical Center. For only $20 per day, Halo House becomes their temporary home. But it's not just a place to sleep. Halo House also provides guests with some meals, shuttle tokens, and a personal ambassador who welcomes each guest and supports them throughout their stay.

Since opening its first apartment in January 2011, Halo House has provided over 9,000 days of housing to families in need. But they have received over 1,300 applications and are currently only able to help a fraction of those who apply, so they are continuing to solicit donations and support as they plan the future of this great foundation.

Their vision is a 24,000 square foot building with 22 fully furnished apartments (each with their own kitchen), a community room with a library for social and educational events, a non-denominational quiet room for reflection and meditation, a small fitness center, a laundry facility, a large covered patio, and an abundant peaceful "green space".

Blood cancer continues to increase in incidence each year and we love the great organizations helping these amazing patients. Halo House was inspired by a wonderful young patient who sadly, did not survive his lymphoma, but his doctor and the good people at Halo House proudly honor his memory each day as they welcome patients into their beautiful home away from home.

If you know someone in need of the services provided by Halo House Foundation, please let them know applications are available on the Halo House Foundation website at HERE.

The Halo House is always in need of donations and sometimes in need of products such as sheets, towels, toiletries, etc. for the apartments, so please contact them if you would like to help.

Contact Info:
Phone: 713.665.8852
Mailing Address: 4010 Blue Bonnet #110, Houston TX 77025

*Halo House is hosting a 5K fun run on April 25. Visit the website HERE and sign up!