George Mark Children's House (GMCH) is an important addition to the continuum of care for children with life-threatening conditions and their families. We enhance the quality of life for the entire family by offering medical, emotional, spiritual and respite support in a homelike setting that is full of life and activity. Our services are available to medically eligible families regardless of race, religion, national origin, socioeconomic status, or ability to pay.

Description:
George Mark Children's House is the first freestanding children's respite and end of life care facility in the United States. The House, located in San Leandro, California, offers respite support (round-the-clock), transitional care, and end of life care for children with life limiting or life threatening illnesses. All care is informed by the principles of palliative care. Additional support services are available to all family members. Services are provided regardless of a family's ability to pay.

History:
George Mark Children's House was conceived by Dr. Kathy Nicholson Hull, as a memorial to her two brothers. One brother, Mark Nicholson, died in an automobile accident in 1962 at the age of 16. The second brother, George Nicholson, died of cancer in 1969 at age 30. She experienced first-hand, as a sibling, just how devastating the loss of a child is to a family. Her personal losses led Dr. Hull to choose a profession that would allow her to help people undergoing similar trauma. She earned a Psy.D. in clinical psychology, with an emphasis on health-related issues. Her post-doctoral work with families in crisis took her to Children's Hospital in Oakland, CA where she met Dr. Barbara Beach, a pediatric oncologist. The two women worked together and agreed that there is an enormous need for families to get complete medical, emotional, and spiritual care in a loving environment that would offer safe harbor during life's most difficult times. Although the concept of a residential pediatric hospice is new to the United States, such facilities in England and Canada provide successful models for this type of program. The George Mark Children's House is a very special part of our community's support network for families in the midst of these incredibly challenging circumstances.

Contact people:

Tami Blaj, Manager of Volunteer Services, (510) 346-1261, (email) Tasia Cammack, Clinical Systems Manager, (510) 346-1268, (email) Judith Dunlop, Program Director, (510) 346-1278, (email)

Office fax number: (510) 346-4620

Address:

2121 George Mark Lane San Leandro, CA 94578 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.georgemark.org

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Bayfair Mall   Nearest Bus Stop: 50