It seems like Scott and Shannon Bray, from Boise, Idaho have been dealt more heartache than any family should have to endure … In 2008 the downturn in the economy forced them to sell the farm equipment business they owned and to figure out another way to make a living. In 2010 their 5th child Allison was born with Down Syndrome. Then, in 2012 after years of feeling tired and not knowing why, Scott was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma.
After trying years of different types of treatment back home, Scott did his research and decided that MD Anderson Cancer Center was the best place for him. He came to Houston for the first time on May 28, 2017 and ended up staying for a three month clinical trial. He lived at an apartment complex near the Texas Medical Center (TMC) that was expensive and since he hasn’t been able to work for years due to his cancer, his parents had to help pay for it. In September he was able to travel back and forth from Idaho to Houston once a month for treatment, staying a week each time.
It was decided that a stem-cell transplant was the best course of treatment so Scott would have to return to Houston and stay for an extended period of time, near the TMC. Per doctor’s orders, stem-cell recipients must live within 15 minutes of the TMC before the procedure can take place. Treatment could be delayed if housing is not secured within the 15 minute parameter.
Having been on the Halo House waiting list for months, Scott and Shannon got the call offering them an apartment, making them the 300th family that Halo House has housed. They said, “It was a miracle, the phone call came out of the blue.”
Shannon went on to say that it was a, “Burden being lifted … We have a place to stay that’s not as expensive as a hotel and it’s not a hotel; it’s also not an $1,800 a month apartment. It’s a huge blessing and relief.”
“Being away from the kids has been hard. Allison has so many special needs. Our friends and church have been great,” said Shannon. Right as Scott was getting ready for his stem-cell transplant, they were told by the owner of the house they were renting that it was being sold, so their kids are currently staying with neighbors until Shannon can return to Boise and find a new place for them to live. Because it averages about three months to get into a Halo House apartment, Shannon and Scott encourage other blood cancer patients to, “get on the waiting list” asap. They go on to say that Halo House is, “A great organization” with “Wonderful, friendly people like their Ambassador Carol who is so willing to help.”
Halo House recently broke ground on a 33-unit apartment complex which will allow them to triple the number of families they are able to house when the doors open in 2019.
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