The siblings of Kevin Garvey, the founding family of our organization commemorate a golden anniversary of their parents helping to start the healthcare hospitality house movement in America.
Additionally, the Heart Award honorees celebrated for their outstanding volunteerism and the Durawa family presented with the Kevin Garvey Award
Followed by an intimate garden reception welcoming KGH supporters, volunteers, members of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and the healthcare community to celebrate this milestone, meet the founding family members, hear about our history and in small groups, take a sneak peak at some of the renovations that have begun on our campus.
More information is available at https://kevinguesthouse.com/events/anniversary/
PRESS ITEM:
Kevin Guest House, America’s first independent healthcare hospitality house, is celebrating 50 years of providing compassionate guest care to patients and their families visiting Buffalo-area hospitals for medical care. Representatives from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo General Medical Center and Gates Vascular Institute, the Catholic Health System, will be joining members of the founding Garvey family, community partners and our dedicated volunteers to mark the opening of one of Buffalo’s very best examples of the “City of Good Neighbors” in action.
Kevin Guest House was founded by Claudia & Cyril Garvey in 1972 following the passing of their 13-year-old son Kevin after an 18-month fight against leukemia. Serving more than 61,000 guests since opening, Kevin Guest House provides a comfortable, safe and supportive home-away-from-home for patients and their families traveling to Buffalo for medical care. “KGH” never closed for a day during the pandemic, ensuring critically ill patients had continued access to live-saving care. Patients and families can stay at KGH regardless of their ability to make the suggested lodging donation of $25/person per night.
Young Kevin was a remarkably brave boy in the face of his disease, earning him the nickname, “Heart”. The Heart Award is given in honor of Kevin “Heart” Garvey, in recognition of our outstanding volunteers who have opened their hearts to our guests. Individual Volunteer Honorees are Arlene Larry & Karen Vasbinder. Healthcare Partner Heart Award honorees are Roswell Park IT network team, Scott Gould (retired), Ryan McGovern, Jeff Neureuther & Islam “Izzy” Sallaj. The presentation will include remarks from Kevin’s brother and current board member, Hugh J. Garvey. The Durawa Family will also be presented with the Kevin Garvey Award, in tribute to the life and work of the late Kevin Durawa. Presenting 50th Anniversary sponsors include Wegmans, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Thomas & Mary Garvey, and Garden Party sponsors Stephen Edge & Cynthia Swain. Read about the Heart Award Honorees at KevinGuestHouse.org/events/anniversary.
“A hidden gem amongst the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the Garvey parents and Kevin Guest House inspired the start of a movement that has effected millions worldwide and it was started right here in Buffalo, NY.” said Lynsey Weaver, Executive Director of Kevin Guest House.
“As healthcare continues to change, the need for outpatient support for the critically ill will only continue and these changes to our campus are critical for us to continue to operate, serve those that need the safest environment for them to heal and allow us to be able to serve as many guests as we did prior to the pandemic once again. During the pandemic, shared common spaces & bathrooms in the aging original properties revealed greater risks to immunocompromised guests, with old HVAC systems and decades old materials being difficult to thoroughly clean. This campaign will allow the KGH to add private bathrooms in the main house, make durable upgrades in structure & safety and materials that are easier to clean and meet healthcare standards now requested to serve the most compromised patients & caregivers”
HISTORY – As America’s first independent healthcare hospitality house, Kevin Guest House was founded in 1972 by Claudia & Cyril Garvey from Sharon, Pennsylvania. It was named after Kevin Garvey, their 13-year-old son who passed away after his 18-month battle against leukemia away from home.
The mission of Kevin Guest House is to provide a comfortable and supportive home away from home for patients and their families traveling to Buffalo, New York for medical care. Serving more than 61,000 guests since opening, Kevin Guest House accommodates 2,000 guests annually. The Buffalo hospitality house will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary on July 26, 2022, the date the organization served its first guest in 1972.
To learn more about Kevin Guest House visit KevinGuestHouse.org or call 716-882-1818.
Anniversary Sponsors:
Wegmans
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Tom & Mary Garvey
Robert & Wendy Evans
James & Mary Conway
Garden Sponsors:
Drs Stephen Edge & Cynthia Swain
Heart Sponsors:
The Durawa Family
David & Katherine Carlson
Kevin & Susan Garvey
Buffalo Spree Publishing
Cheryl Stein Law Firm PLLC
Celebration Sponsors:
FIFCO/Labatt USA
Upstate Pharmacy
Special thanks to:
Allpro Parking * Kristin Smigielski Music * Morgan Linen * Pepsi Bottling Company * The Premier Group
