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“Navigating a serious health diagnosis can feel like your entire world has been turned upside down. For our family, this journey began when my husband, Shealy, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in 2011. Our lives quickly shifted from planning for the future to battling for survival. The SECU Family House has been a constant through all of this, oering not just a place to stay but also a place to heal physically and emotionally.In the early days, we stayed at a hotel near the hospital, trying to keep some semblance of normalcy. But as Shealy’s condition worsened, I found myself spending nearly every moment by his side in the ICU, leaving the hotel behind. I had become his full-time caregiver, a role that demanded every ounce of my energy.Once we found the Family House in 2013, it became our sanctuary. We’ve stayed there o and on the past eleven years, often for weeks at a time. (Interestingly, we happened to be there for ve Halloweens in a row!)When we entered the Family House for the rst time, the environment immediately put us at ease. Ms. Pam welcomed us warmly at the doorway, setting the tone for everything to follow.The Family House provides more than just a place to stay; it oers a sense of community and the support services we desperately need. For caregivers like me,the Family House is a lifeline. Being able to stay close to Shealy while having a place to rest and recharge has made an enormous dierence in how I cope with his illness. The burden of caregiving is immense—it’s physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and often isolating. But at the Family House, I am surrounded by others who understand our struggles. That sense of shared experience is incredibly comforting.Many of my days have been lled with hospital visits, quick decisions, and emotional rollercoasters. Through it all, the Family House has oered a sense of steadiness. I can always count on a comfortable room, kind people, and meals provided by volunteers that nourish my tired body and soul. There are caring volunteers whose sole purpose is to listen—to check in on how I, as the caregiver, am holding up. Thanks to that kind of support, I can take better care of myself and ultimately take better care of Shealy.When you are away from your actual home and dealing with the weight of health issues, the Family House is there to help. It’s not just a house; it’s a community, a family, and a lifeline all rolled into one. Without the Family House, the journey for so many patients and their families would be unimaginably harder.We don’t know what will happen in the future. Our health journey has been long, with many ups and downs. But we know that the Family House will always be there for us, oering stability and a place to call home no matter what comes next.”-Betty McCoy, Colombia, SCBetty and Shealy McCoy: The Gift of the SECU Family HouseH USE MATTERS Fall 2024It’s not just a house; it’s a community, a family, and a lifeline...

At the Family House, we understand that healing extends beyond medicine. It’s the warmth of a welcoming space, the kindness of volunteers, and sometimes, a few wet noses. That’s why, ve days a week, our dedicated therapy dog volunteers share their time and their beloved dogs, spreading love, joy, and comfort.For many of our guests who are away from home and facing stressful health challenges, these therapy dogs oer more than a temporary distraction—they provide emotional and physical relief. Studies have shown that interacting with dogs can reduce stress and anxiety by lowering the stress hormone cortisol and releasing feel-good hormones like oxytocin. Simply petting a dog has been proven to lower blood pressure and heart rate. With each visit, guests feel supported and uplifted.None of this would be possible without the dedicated volunteer handlers who undergo extensive training and certication to prepare for their roles. These individuals, alongside their four-legged friends, are committed to creating moments of joy and bringing a sense of normalcy to our guests. Their generosity of time and spirit reects the values we hold dear at the Family House: hospitality, compassion, and support.Our therapy dogs’ wagging tails, warm snuggles, and loving energy contribute to the Family House’s healing environment. We are deeply grateful for the volunteers who make these visits possible and for the dierence they make in the lives of patients and caregivers every week.Spreading Love, One Wag at a Time: Our Therapy Dog VolunteersMy Goldendoodle, Bailey, and I became a registered pet therapy team through Pet Partners after the benefit I saw in my counseling practice with him as my assistant. After experiencing the warm response my clients had to Bailey, I wanted to share his talents with the community. We love visiting the SECU Family House and meeting so many wonderful people who are staying here. Bailey takes his position, waiting to receive attention, and there is nothing like seeing the smiles and hearing stories from guests. Sometimes, guests will sit on the floor and give him a hug or belly rub! We hope to make their day a little bit brighter and share the love and comfort that animals do so naturally.— Heidi Birkner &her therapy dog, Bailey2015201720172019

Men Who Cook on August 17 was an unforgettable evening brimming with delicious dishes, vibrant camaraderie, and heartfelt generosity. With 16 mouthwatering creations from our talented chef teams and the enthusiastic support of our dedicated volunteers, our community truly came together to make a dierence for the Family House.Thank you to our guests and sponsors! Your participation and inspiring generosity were the highlights of the night. Together, we raised $140,000, crucial support that will provide aordable lodging and care for hundreds of patients and their families traveling to Winston-Salem this fall.A Special Thank You to our Presenting Sponsor!Savoring Joyful Community: Men Who Cook!The walls of the Family House are brought to life by hundreds of art pieces. They tell stories of resilience, hope, and compassion. This fall, we will dedicate a new piece of art that embodies these values—a vibrant mosaic touched by countless hands in our community.The piece’s four quadrants each depict their own season: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Each season symbolizes the vital roles that our guests, sta, board, volunteers, and donors play in making the Family House more than just a place to stay...Fall symbolizes patients and caregivers, in a state of transition and healing. Winter reects sta and board members, our steadfast foundation and strength. Spring honors volunteers, who bring hope and new life through service and dedication. Summer represents donors, providers of the bounty that sustains us.Piece by small paper piece, each member of our community contributed to the creation, much like they bring each of their unique gifts to the Family House. We are excited to celebrate this artwork as a lasting symbol of the love, care, and unity that uphold our mission.Guided by the vision and direction of Betsy Messick, Director of Art + Wellness and Community Engagement with the Sawtooth School for Visual Art, this piece now hangs in the Family House’s dining room.Piece by Piece:The Art of Compassion

The generous contributions, talents, and experiences of our amazing volunteers provide Family House guests with the warmest hospitality. Join our family by providing a meal, donating pantry items, baking cookies, cleaning, and more! Sign up on our website or via the QR code below.Non-Prot Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 999Greensboro, NC1970 Baldwin Lane Winston-Salem, NC 27103336 -793-2822 www.familyhousews.orgGet InvolvedPlan for the Future: Leave a LegacyYou can make a dierence in the world by leaving a legacy aligned with your values, resting assured that your planned gifts are in capable hands. Since opening in 2011, we have compassionately served over 59,000 guests and built a robust, loving volunteer community. The Family House strengthens our local community and economy through our partnerships with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Novant Health in Forsyth County, NC. We empower patients and bring families closer. Imagine how much we will achieve together with your planned giving! For more information, contact Kara Yates at kara.yates@familyhousews.org or give us a call at 336.793.2822Scan this code for more information about all the articles in this newsletter!