What We Do

Founded in 1981, Family House is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization providing temporary housing to families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at the University of California San Francisco Children's Hospital. Qualifying families live more than 50 miles from UCSF, and many live at or below the low-income status as determined by UCSF. Our two locations sustain nearly a 100% occupancy rate and can accommodate 107 people per night. Over the course of a year we serve more than 2,000 families.

Family House is an independent organization led by a professional staff and board of directors dedicated to providing residential services free-of-charge to qualifying families. Since we receive no financial support from UCSF, or any other public entity, we rely solely on the generous contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations.

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Working with the Department of Pediatric Oncology at UCSF

For the past 30 years, children and families served by Family House have been referred by UCSF Children's Hospital. Cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in children ages 1-9.

The most common types of cancer affecting children include:

• Blood
• Bone or bone marrow
• Brain
• Lymph nodes
• Nervous system
• Kidneys
• Soft tissues

While children undergoing bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments are our most common guests, we also accommodate those facing other life-threatening childhood illnesses such as fetal surgury, transplants, and cardiac patients when space is available.