Community Chat

[Marp]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Patients seeking long-term treatment at Philadelphia's multitude of renowned specialty care centers might find no room at the inns this September, when a visit by Pope Francis during the World Meeting of Families is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to the region.

Hospitals that rely on an organization that seeks to find housing for such patients or their families are wringing their hands under the added pressure to identify hosts for people who ordinarily could afford a hotel room.

"Many of these patients cannot choose their time to have treatments," said Rosana Tovar, a case worker at Shriners Hospital for Children. "Right now we're trying to figure out for that time in September when we'll have international patients and if we can help with accommodations."

Shriners, which provides specialized care to children with orthopedic problems, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft palates, has no housing of its own to offer patient families. The only other inexpensive option is area Ronald McDonald houses, but the demand for their housing there is far greater than the supply, Tovar said.

Hosts for Hospitals, a nonprofit that matches patients needing treatment far from home with homeowners willing to take them in, needs to grow quickly, executive director Mike Aichenbaum said.

While Pope Francis will only be in the city for two days, Sept. 26-27, the global meeting that is bringing him is expected to also fill hotel rooms the week before his visit, as well. Aichenbaum hopes to double his organization's base of 50 host families so sick people won't have to postpone critical care.

More:    http://apnews.myway.com//article/20150713/us-pope-philadelphia-hospital-hosts-f0d0d17792.html

About Hosts for Hospitals:  http://www.hostsforhospitals.org/website/

[KarenQVC]

Bless these patients and their caregivers.  Maybe some of the houses of faith can help.  Or colleges that may have space.  Philly is lovely.

[dooBdoo]

I didn't see this earlier.  Thanks, @Marp, for the thread and thanks, @KarenQVC, for moving it up the page.  I have friends in the area, and I'll share this in case they can help or pass it on to others.

[feline groovy]

Forwarding all this info to the cyber universe...

Thanks, Marp.  

[newziesuzie]

Thank you for posting this Marp.

[Winkk]

I saw this posted somewhere else.  I live in the Philly suburbs and getting into the city will be like getting into Fort Knox.  I hope people who already live in center city can help.  If you are considering using local rail service you have to reserve your ticket now.

I don't know what kind of arrangements are being made for those who have to work that weekend especially Healthcare workers. Hopefully people will come forward to help out Shriner's, it is such a great hospital.

[Shorty2U]

Had I still lived in the area I used to live in (a little over an hour from Philly) Id help with this. But now I live way further away than I did, so I am not close enough to Philly to help. I still read my old hometown news though and I saw that all motels are booked already (in the area I was from), for the Popes visit. I hope and pray people who live closer to Philly can help with this.