David Grant poised to get second Fisher House at Travis

David Grant poised to get second Fisher House at Travis

Daily Republic

By Ian Thompson

06.23.11

David Grant Medical Center has been put on the list to get a second, larger Fisher House to help care for the families of David Grant patients.

The decision by the Fisher House Foundation was made about a week ago to build another Fisher House next to the existing one here, according to foundation spokeswoman Cindy Campbell.

Just when the second house will be built will depend on finances raised by the Fisher Foundation and by local community partners interested in helping out.

Tentatively, it hoped to see the house built sometime in either 2012 or 2013.

“We base the construction schedule on when funds are available,” Campbell said. “We hope that the local community gets behind this and helps.”

While the size of the proposed house hasn’t been decided, it will be larger than the current 5,000-square-foot house that can accommodate up to seven families.

The present house next to David Grant opened in 1994 and has been 100 percent filled since then.

Travis and its squadrons have been very supportive of the Fisher House. The base has also hoped to see a second house built for some time.

“The reaction (to the news of a second house) was elation because we recognize the value of what Fisher House does for our patients who stay here for medical care,” said David Grant spokesman Jim Spellman.

Because of the demand, some families have had to be turned away and accommodated in the community or elsewhere on base.

“We are excited because this will greatly extend our capabilities to care for our patients and their families,” Spellman said.