For you out-of-towners, there is no easy answer. We know how important it is for transplant patients to have their family nearby. There is no substitute for family support throughout the transplant experience. But local housing for families of transplant patients can be a problem - and it can be expensive. Sometimes you are lucky, all goes smoothly and your stay is short. Other times there may be a long wait for a donor or you have complications and your time away from home can be lengthy.

When searching for a place to stay, your best starting point is again your transplant team. Talk to your social services person. He or she may have a ready solution. Most hospitals have arrangements with nearby facilities to accommodate patient families. However, space, services and availability may be limited. But make sure you talk to them first.

Special discounts are offered by some conveniently located hotels for patients and their family members. To take advantage of them, you must ask.. Ask at the hotels when you make reservations, ask the social services department at the hospital. Some hotels require a letter of referral from the hospital, others don’t. But in all cases, you won’t get the discount unless you inquire, and the savings can be substantial. In addition, some hotels may provide a voucher for a daily, round-trip taxi ride between the hotel and hospital.

Many organizations that you may already belong to such as AAA, and AARP, have hotel/motel discounts.

There are limited alternative accommodations available near one of the major transplant centers in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The alternative housing option we’ve heard about in the area is described below. Check with your hospital’s social services department for others that we may have missed.

Ronald McDonald House

Description: Ronald McDonald House was established to provide affordable housing for children who are receiving cancer-related treatment and their families. But they also provide special apartments for bone marrow transplant patients. These apartments are located 1326 Quincy Street NE, Washington, DC 20017
Restrictions: Patients must initially be under 18.
Cost: $ 100 /week donation requested.
More information: Write to Ronald McDonald House, 1326 Quincy Street NE, Washington, DC 20017, or call 202-529-8204

Fund raising started in 1996 for a Ronald McDonald House to be built on the Inova Fairfax Hospital campus. Tentatively scheduled to open summer 1997.