Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are a distinctly underserved population in the cancer care continuum.  Compared with younger and older age groups, the AYA population of 15 to 39-year-olds has seen little to no improvement in cancer survival rates for decades.  

The need for services is broader in scope and intensity because of the many emotional, developmental, social and transitional changes that exist naturally as part AYA life. Yet, affordable, available, psychosocial and financial support services for AYAs (and their caregivers) remain severely limited.

Cancer is an isolating experience at any age.  With fewer resources meeting the AYAs’ unique needs, feelings of isolation are compounded. Navigating complex healthcare processes, investigating treatments, negotiating access to best care options, and successfully appealing insurers’ denials all require a level of self-advocacy and a life-skills set beyond the experience of most AYAs at diagnosis.  Add in the logistics of traveling significant distances for care, an avalanche of expenses amidst declining income—all while fighting for life itself and the nightmarish challenges AYAs face begins to come clear.

 

Dedicated to helping AYA cancer fighters, Dan’s House of Hope is a home away from home for young adults receiving care at Houston’s nationally acclaimed Texas Medical Center hospitals—including world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center.  More than just housing, DHOH is a community for young adults in treatment and beyond.

Dan’s House offers the warmth and comfort of home in bed and breakfast-style accommodations.  AYAs and caregivers are not charged a fee to stay at DHOH.

Less than 2.5 miles from MD Anderson Cancer Center and the heart of the Texas Medical Center, nestled in a residential area of the Museum District, DHOH is close to many of Houston’s favorite attractions.

DHOH’s hospitality house is an inviting refuge for AYAs to gather— a place to heal, dream, share, learn and laugh.  It is a place to ease isolation and recapture a sense of normalcy for cancer fighters and caregivers. 

Dan’s House of Hope is more than “a place to stay.”  DHOH is an engaged and caring community of local, national and global cancer fighters, survivors, caregivers, volunteers, healthcare professionals, AYA advocates, and generous supporters. 

Psychosocial and support programming assist patient guests and caregivers with the unique challenges each face.  Interactive programs—on and off-site, offered free of charge, including both casual and facilitated support groups; restorative yoga classes; individualized yoga therapy sessions; group outings to sporting, art and music events in Houston; spiritual care offerings; and movie and game nights at DHOH’s house.  

But that’s not all!  Video conferencing platforms enable multiple opportunities to stay connected with DHOH’s community each month, providing needed continuing support for cancer fighters where ever they are.

Located near Houston's world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dan’s House of Hope is the nation's first AYA centered hospitality home, but our vision extends far beyond!

 Our sights are set, please join us:

Advocating for change in public awareness and policies to help AYAs overcome obstacles preventing timely treatment access and avoid incurring financial toxicity

Growing a welcoming, connected community of AYA cancer fighters and caregivers, easing isolation and improving quality of life through shared experience and meaningful psychosocial programs

Championing free temporary housing near the nations’ best NCI recognized cancer care centers to assist AYAs aged 18-39 years old needing to travel for treatment.

Tangibly supporting AYAs with needed resources and programming until cancer’s cure is found!

Since August 2011, Dan’s House of Hope has provided thousands of nights of lodging to young adult cancer fighters traveling from communities across the United States (and internationally) for cancer care at the distinguished hospitals of Houston’s Texas Medical Center (TMC).

A member of the Healthcare Hospitality Network, Dan’s House of Hope, Inc., is proud to be part of a network committed to serving the needs of families in medical crisis with homes that help and heal.  Hospital hospitality houses offer free or affordable temporary housing to caregivers and patients when treatment far from home is required during a medical crisis.

 

“Thank you for everything that you have done for us over the last seven weeks.  Thanks for the support, the love, for making me laugh, for making us feel like family, giving us a place to stay and for just being who you are.  You have really been a bright spot in a difficult part of our life.”  -Rebecca

Board of Directors

Dawn Kenneavy
Co-founder & President
Dan’s House of Hope, Inc.
Houston, TX                                                                 

Carolyn Schweitzer, LMS
DHOH Co-founder & Secretary
Complex Case Manager
Froedtert Hospital
Milwaukee, WI

Ricardo Rivera
DHOH Treasurer
Vice President / Branch Manager
Chase Bank
Houston, TX

Howard Bookstaff
Partner / Attorney at Law
Hoover Slovacek, LLP
Houston, TX

Steven Hagen, MD
DHOH Co-founder
Family Medicine Physician
Primary Care Associates of Appleton, LTD
Appleton, WI          

Sarah Yoder
Corporate Controller
Ascend Performance Materials
Humble, TX

Dr. Naveen Pemmaraju
MD / Associate Professor, Dept. of Leukemia
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX

Erin Taylor
Physician Assistant
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX

John Allen
National Solutions Sales Director
Microsoft Corporation
Houston, TX

Advisory Council

Pete Anderson MD, PhD
Director
PedsHematology / Oncology / BMT / Cell Therapy
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH                                                                                   

Roger Kenneavy
Co-founder & Executive Director
Dan’s House of Hope
Houston, TX

Ryan Kenneavy
Director of Development
Dan’s House of Hope
Houston, TX

Sarah Matthews
Graphic Design Artist
Walt Disney Corporation
Orlando, FL                                                              

Ann McKnight
Educator
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System
Appleton, WI

Keeley Michael
Founder / Yoga Therapist
Keeley Michael Yoga
Birmingham, AL

Nolan Miller
Admin. Dir., Oncology Services
Duke Cancer Institute
Raleigh, NC

Erin Quebedeaux
Stylist
Visions Salon & Spa
Breaux Bridge, LA

Bob Woodward
Engineer
Bechtel Corp.
Houston, TX

Anna Zimmer
Internal Medicine Resident
University of Washington
Seattle, WA

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