HOME 4 HEALING. Shannon, a retired Altoona School District teacher, co-founded Home 4 Healing after her own experience with Leukemia and all that comes with its diagnosis and treatment, including housing insecurity. (Photo via Unsplash)

After 28 years as a teacher in the Altoona School District, Shannon Camlek was forced to retire due to Leukemia. Given the cancer diagnosis, Shannon and her husband were forced to spend the next eight months in Rochester, Minnesota as an outpatient requiring constant care. After months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, Shannon relapsed, but persevered and has been in remission for the last three years.

Shannon (right) and Maura (left), co-founders.

“One of the most difficult parts about becoming a cancer patient was having to move and be in a certain location for a certain amount of time," Shannon explained. “Housing was a burden that was consuming our lives just as much as anything. Being required to stay in Rochester, it was difficult to find housing regarding the unique medical needs.”

Utilizing her own experiences undergoing treatment and dealing with housing issues, Shannon has devoted her knowledge and experience for the better. Shannon has become the co-founder of the organization ‘Home 4 Healing.’

What this organization strives for is providing housing for individuals that may run into the same type of situation that Shannon has, say a diagnosis of cancer, or any type of illness that creates the situation of becoming an outpatient.

“Home 4 Healing provides cancer patients with 3 guaranteed months of housing," Shannon said. "This organization provides surrounding support for the patient in some of the most difficult times, as the last thing you want to worry about at this terrifying time is a place to live.”

Currently, Home 4 Healing is being implemented in the Rochester area, where one of the largest healthcare facilities in the nation, Mayo Clinic Health System, is located. Although only serving those receiving treatment at Rochester currently, there are plenty of goals with hopes of implementation in the near future.

“The dream of this organization is to partner with businesses, enacting the current model of foster families, hotels, and those willing to donate could do so on a greater level, as the giving opportunity is transforming to the patient," Shannon said.

“If this system works and continues to show progress, the opportunities could be transplanted to any community, surrounding any cancer treatment center, impacting the lives of so many more with the same scenarios.”

Although Home 4 Healing is now up and moving, Shannon said she cannot run it alone. Utilizing the community we have around us, Shannon hopes to impact so many more lives, with so many more individuals pitching in, with anything from a donation to a fostering option.

Home 4 Healing delivers answers to the questions that go unasked during cancer treatment. To help, donate, or get in contact, visit Home 4 Healing's website.