JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas. –
When a military family member becomes ill, many of life’s everyday challenges get put on the back burner while treatment is sought.
This can be the case when the member lives more than 50 miles away from a military care facility that offers the life-saving treatment they need. Enter Fisher House. Fisher House offers support in many ways as military families in need try to find a new normal, one day at a time.
“We are a home away from home,” said Alexandra Murray, Fisher House volunteer coordinator.
Fisher House has 26 guest rooms, which can accommodate up to four people per room. The housing is provided free of charge to families of seriously ill or injured patients receiving care at medical facilities in the San Antonio area to include Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center.
Patrick Trevino Sr., a Vietnam veteran who was recently diagnosed with leukemia, often travels from Corpus Christi for medical treatment in San Antonio.
“If it wasn’t for the Fisher House I don’t know what I would have done,” Trevino said. “I love them [Fisher House] with all my heart. They’ve taken care of us. It’s a miracle we were blessed and brought here.”
The services provided by Fisher House are dependent on the kindness of volunteers and donors. Their contributions play an important role to the success of Fisher House.
Volunteers Jane and Bill Dubel have given their time and efforts for 30 years. Jane Dubel, volunteer president at Wilford Hall Fisher House, and her husband are recognizable faces at the surgical center, assisting patients navigate through the building or offering you a warm bag of popped kernels.
“We sell popcorn two days a week and a lot of that money goes to the Fisher Houses. We have the Red Hatters and they make quilts and hats for the Fisher Houses,” Jane Dubal said. “Volunteering keeps us involved and giving back to our community and giving back to the military.”
Fisher House honored local donors during an appreciation luncheon Oct. 17 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Donors were also presented with the Helping Hands Award, for their many contributions and continued support.
Donor contributions include donating a combined total of more than $1 million and volunteering for special events hosted by Fisher House and helping with upkeep of the facilities.
Tony Imondi, a member of a donor group comprised of 340 retired veterans, expressed his appreciation for Fisher House.
“Nobody does more for our military families than the Fisher House,” he said. “They reach out around the world to our families in need.”