Editorial, The Daily News, originally published on 1/14/2010
Dealing with a seriously ill or injured family member in a hospital is hard enough on immediate family without worrying about housing arrangements.
That is why we applaud the Commonwealth Health Foundation, the philanthropic division of Commonwealth Health Corp., for announcing plans for a capital campaign to build a “home away from home” for the families of seriously ill patients at The Medical Center and Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital.
Funds raised from the “Extending Home” campaign will help build, furnish and staff the 13,564-square-foot Hospitality House, which will be located on The Medical Center campus at High Street and Fifth Avenue. The building will include 12 private guest rooms and baths, a kitchen and dining room, a community room with comfortable furnishings and a business center with computers and Internet access. A prayer room will also be a part of the facility.
So far, CHF has raised $1.7 million in pledges and donations during the quiet phase of the campaign. About $2 million is needed to construct and furnish Hospitality House, and an additional $1 million is needed to establish an endowment to ensure ongoing operation.
This sounds like it will be a class A facility once the necessary funds are raised to begin construction.
Bowling Green and The Medical Center are the regional hub for health care and nearly half of their patients reside outside Warren County. In 2007 and 2008, an average of 8,600 patients from outside Warren County were admitted to The Medical Center, which is all the more reason why providing them a place to stay while their loved ones are ill is such a great idea.
Another plus of the Hospitality House is that it will be a place to draw comfort and support from others there in similar circumstances.
Having someone ill is a big enough strain on anyone, and no one wants to have to sleep in spare hospital rooms or lobbies for days or longer.
Hospitality House will make a very difficult situation a bit easier for family and friends who already have a lot on their plates.
Commonwealth Health Foundation is to be commended for the vision and compassion this campaign reflects.
