Fisher House Opens On Base to Help Military Families with Health Issues

Military families have special accommodations when traveling for medical reasons

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Feb 17, 2012 at 6:55 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 17, 2012 at 7:38 PM AKDT

Military families who have to travel long distances to receive medical care now have a new place to stay in Anchorage. It’s called the Fisher House and it’s free.

The Fisher House on joint Elmendorf and Fort Richardson was built by a private foundation and “gifted” to the military in a ceremony on Friday. It’s the 57t Fisher House in the country and the first in Alaska.

Fisher House is a one-story building surrounded by woods that – on the inside – looks more like a five star hotel. The furnishings and linens in the 12 private suites are all top of the line and there’s never a charge for people who stay there.

Fisher House CEO Ken Fisher said the idea is to take away some of the stress people feel when faced with medical issues far from home.

“The world doesn't stop when a loved one is wounded," said Fisher. “They don't need the uncertainty of where am I going to stay? How am I going to pay for it? What am I going to do?”

Fisher House was built by the nonprofit foundation at no cost to the military. Money to keep the house running will come from a mixture of funds, including private donations.

The facility is free for members of any military branch – their dependents as well as veterans. Officials said anyone who is eligible to use the hospital on base could stay at the Fisher House provided they live at least 50 miles outside of Anchorage.
 

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V said on Saturday, Feb 18 at 6:01 AM

thNK U!! SONT HAVE TO PAY FOR EXPENSIVE ROOMS WHEN I GOT TOTHE DOCTORS!!!

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SD said on Friday, Feb 17 at 10:19 PM

Fantastic!!! We need to take care of our military and extended military families

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Luke Waack said on Friday, Feb 17 at 9:57 PM

The new Fisher House is located on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, next to the Joint Venture DoD/VA Hospital.

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