How much does it cost to stay at Shannon's House?
Families are expected to make a donation of $15 per night (up to a maximum of $400 per month) for a bedroom with a shared bath, and $20 per night (up to a maximum of $500 per month) for a larger bedroom with a private bath. However, families are never turned down because of an inability to pay.

How can I reserve a room?
Patients who wish to stay at the house must be 18 or older and be referred through the Department of Social Work at Dana-Farber. Rooms are assigned based on availability and need. Shannon's House is often full, but people who'd like to place their name on the waiting list may do so by:

• Calling the Department of Social Work at Dana-Farber at (617) 632-3303

• Calling the Shannon's House manager at (617) 566-7809

• E-mailing shannons.house@verizon.net

Stays at the house are restricted to Dana-Farber cancer patients and their families or loved ones who are hospitalized or are receiving daily outpatient treatment. Families who meet these criteria may stay for up to 45 days.

How many beds are in each room?
Each family that stays at Shannon's House is assigned a private bedroom that comfortably accommodates two people. Some of the rooms have private bathrooms. The house has one handicap-accessible bedroom with two twin beds and a private bath. Other bedrooms have either twin or queen-size beds, and three bedrooms have pullout couches that can accommodate three to four guests. For post-bone marrow or stem cell transplant patients, two of our rooms convert to suites with private baths where both the patient and family can stay together. Bedrooms are elegantly furnished with beds, dressers and night tables, and either a pullout couch or comfortable reading chair.

Is parking provided at the house?
There is limited free parking in the lot behind the house on a first-come/first-serve basis.

Should I bring towels and bed linens?
No. Shannon's House provides all towels, bed linens and cleaning supplies. We also have two washers and dryers for your use.

Am I expected to bring my own food?
Yes. Shannon's House supplies its guests with milk, juice, cream, ice cream and coffee. A cabinet is available to store your food and the house has a fully-equipped kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals. There is a grocery store within a mile of the house.

Is the house wheelchair accessible?
Yes. We have a wheelchair ramp and one handicap-accessible bedroom on the first floor. The bedrooms on the second and third floors are accessible only by stairs. There is no elevator.

Can I request a specific room?
No. Rooms are assigned based on availability and need.

Can I stay at Shannon's House if I am being treated somewhere other than at Dana-Farber?
No. You must be a Dana-Farber cancer patient.

Shannon's House today

May I have a radio or television in my bedroom?
Radios are permitted as long as they are not disruptive to other guests. Televisions are not permitted in the bedrooms.

Are there phones in the rooms?
No. There is only one phone line with local area access available for guest use. Guests are encouraged to use long distance phone cards and/or cell phones.

Can I receive mail at Shannon's House?
Yes. Have it addressed to you, c/o Shannon's House, 76 Sewall Avenue, Brookline, MA 02446. Typically, there is someone in the house who can sign for packages. All mail and messages can be collected at the front desk.

Can I have visitors at Shannon's House?
Yes. We encourage your family and friends to come and visit as long as they are healthy and won't jeopardize the health of any other guest in the house. All overnight visitors must complete an overnight registration form and give it to the manager on duty. Children under the age of 18 are welcome to visit under certain circumstances (if there are no post-transplant patients in the house), but must be approved by the house manager first.

Where is the local grocery store, post office, library, bus and train stations, restaurants, etc?
There is a Trader Joe's grocery store within walking distance and a Stop and Shop market one mile from the house. The library and MBTA stops are within walking distance. The MBTA system in Boston is a very convenient way to travel within the city.

Is there transportation to the hospitals?
Yes. There is a free shuttle available to/from the hospital on a very limited basis. Otherwise, it is a short 15-minute walk in good weather, or you can call a cab.

Is there Internet and e-mail access at Shannon's House?
Yes. There is a computer at the front desk for guests to use. We also have wireless Internet access if you would like to bring your own laptop computer.

Can I receive faxes at Shannon's House?
Yes. There is a fax machine in the office on the first floor where you may receive faxes only during the limited hours that the office is open. That fax number is (617) 566-7867.

How far is the house from Boston's Logan International Airport?
Shannon's House is about five miles from Logan International Airport. Depending on the time of day and means of transportation, a trip to the airport typically takes 25 to 40 minutes.

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