Violet’s Story

Quote from Violet’s Family:

“Everyone at The Boston House is incredible. The heart behind this place is truly unlike anything else and we are just so grateful for what they’ve been able to create and provide to families such as ours.”

Violet was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor at just 2 and a half years old. What began as a normal toddler fever over the weekend had her family discovering a lump on her right side and in the pediatrician’s office first thing Monday morning. It was a whirlwind of a day with multiple ER visits and ending with a cancer diagnosis, every parent’s worst nightmare. Violet’s tumor was too risky to remove up front. She started chemo on Mother’s Day and had her tumor and kidney resected that August. She endured 7 days of sedated radiation after the surgery and jumped back into chemo about a week later. After the pathology was complete and a mutation was discovered, Violet’s oncologist felt strongly that her chances of relapse would greatly reduce by changing to a more intense regimen that would prolong her treatment and include multiple 5-day chemo treatments in clinic. 

Violet’s family lived over an hour away from Dana Farber/The Jimmy Fund and knew they would have to be admitted or stay locally to make the 5-day treatment weeks work. They reached out to The Boston House, which became their home away from home on those 5-day cycles. They were able to walk to and from the clinic most weeks, explore the area as a family, play on the swing set regardless of the weather, and even brought a felt Christmas tree to decorate when they had to stay the week of Christmas!

The Boston House allowed the family to be fully present with Violet during her intense weeks of chemotherapy with a safe and comforting place to land. Their family shared that “The heart behind this place is truly unlike anything else and we are just so grateful for what they’ve been able to create and provide to families such as ours. We’re proud to share that Violet just had clear 18 month scans and is a happy, thriving 5 year old little girl. The Boston House played a part in her survival and we’re forever thankful to the entire team.”  

Dear Friends of The Boston House,

As we head into the holiday season and reflect on all that we are grateful for, we are the most grateful for the spirit of giving that brings friends, family, and communities together to support the families we serve. 

The Boston House provides no-cost housing for families traveling to Boston seeking cancer treatments for their child at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital. Our home away from home offers not just shelter but a supportive community where children and their families find comfort, connection, and respite from the rigors of treatment. We understand that when a child is ill, the last thing families should worry about is the stress and burden of expensive lodging.

During this time of year, we transform The House into a holiday wonderland, filled with laughter, warmth, and togetherness. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to create joyful moments—whether it’s pumpkin carving in the fall or holiday celebrations that light up our community. We believe in fostering connections, and your support will allow us to continue organizing communal dinners, celebrations, and activities that bring families together, turning what is the most difficult time in their life into moments of hope.

This holiday season, we ask for your support. 

Your contribution helps us ensure that every family who needs us has a safe, comfortable, and convenient place to live while facing the unimaginable. With your help, we can continue to make The Boston House a place of healing, joy, and community.

Thank you for your generosity and for being a vital part of our mission. From all of us at The Boston House, we wish you and your loved ones a warm and joyful holiday season.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Dawn, Mike, Julia, and Yissel

The Boston House Staff