Go Fund Me

Last week, after meeting with our medical social worker at Kaiser, we decided to do the research and book our hotel for our stays at Stanford. Doing the research, we found the cheapest to be a Residence Inn by Marriott that was only 6 miles from the hospital. While it was the cheapest, it was still very high. After suggestions from several people before we booked anything and after we did, our friend Jen helped us set up a Go Fund Me to assist in the lodging. We didn't want to, but we knew we would not be able to do this on our own.

Since Friday evening when it the page was set up, we have raised over $1400 of the $15,000 we put as the goal. We put that amount because Go Fund Me takes a percentage of each donation. We have been overwhelmed by all the help from our family and friends. Everything from donating, sharing, reaching out to friends for assistance with housing while we are at Stanford. It's amazing to see the support. Not just in forms of money, but the prayers and well wishes too. From people we have never met. Simply overwhelming. And we thank every single one of you who have done what you can to help.

This morning, while on my way to Kaiser, our medical social worker from Stanford called (before I could call her) to talk about housing. Of course, this was a welcoming call with the stress of trying to figure something out that was cheaper than what we already booked. I explained to her the dilemma we had and how we set up a Go Fund Me due to the high cost of any lodging around Stanford. That it was WAY out of our budget. She then explained to me about an agreement Stanford has with a property management company in the area around Stanford. I knew about it before, but when I looked at the properties, there were no vacancies for the time we needed. I told her that. That was when she told me they had studios set aside for Stanford patients and asked if we wanted her to put in the request for one. Of course, I jumped at that. Since all the rooms or anything else around were around $300 or more a night and these studios are $129/night. Plus, they bill directly to Kaiser and then to us for the remainder. A MUCH better deal.

These studios are fully furnished with a bed, fold out couch and a rollaway bed. They have a fully stocked (not food) kitchen, bathroom and if I remember correctly, linens also. Originally we wanted to have a 1 bedroom, but at this point, at this price, we will take it.

To everybody who has helped out and donated money, THANK YOU!! We can not express how much we appreciate your donations. If we could give it back, we would. But Go Fund Me takes a percentage and I have not found a way to give it back to you. We will put it aside to help with something in this regards at a later time. Either way, it will go towards what we and you intended when you donated. The Go Fund Me was the last thing we wanted to do. And I know we will never be able to tell you exactly how grateful we are. And, to everybody who helped out by sharing, asking friends for information or seeing if family or friends had a place for us to stay, THANK YOU also from the bottom of our hearts. It is much appreciated and not forgotten. We love all of you!