As the hospitals in our area are continuing to grow and increase their specialized care, they are also increasing the scope of treatments available. Patients, from afar, require access to this quality and cutting-edge healthcare. Often these are life-saving treatments, surgeries, and medical procedures that they cannot receive in the areas in which they live. Also, with Upstate Medical as the only ACS certified Level 1 Trauma Center in the region, patients are often airlifted there with their family members scrambling for a place to stay due to an unexpected and often tragic emergency. Sarah’s Guest House plays a major role in allowing this access to healthcare, which out-of-town patients would otherwise be unable to receive in their hometown areas.

Since 2014, we have turned away thousands of individuals due to insufficient accommodations. This is because we only have two handicapped-accessible rooms downstairs, along with the fact that many frail and sick guests cannot navigate the stairs to utilize the 9 existing upstairs bedrooms. In addition, our 11 current guest rooms are often fully occupied, accommodating a maximum of 20 guests.

As our upward trajectory of growth and public awareness continues, the trend of additional house guests continues to increase. More guests will need healthcare hospitality lodging and will utilize Sarah’s Guest House as a much-needed resource in their medical journeys. As the only adult healthcare hospitality house in Central New York, our increased accommodations are of significant impact and importance.

Our House Expansion Campaign will support and fund doubling our size and increasing our accommodations from 11 guest rooms to 22 guest rooms. It will also allow us to install an elevator, create 4 additional handicapped-accessible bedrooms with 2 adjoining bathrooms, and a brand-new front entrance and guest reception area. This will also provide handicapped accessibility with a paved walkway to a welcoming covered entrance in the front that will accommodate wheelchairs and provide coverage from inclement weather. Additionally, it will fund all necessary renovations to the kitchen, a new Guest Relations office, volunteer / staff room, refreshed and renovated bedrooms on the new side, two transplant specific bedrooms with private bathrooms, a staff “apartment” for overnight staff coverage of the house, and a fitness center to benefit our house guests.