Rosenbaum Family House
For as long as she can remember, WVU Medicine patient Sheila (Carter) Hurley, 72, of Mount Hope has lived with chronic pain that never fully fades. Yet when asked how she’s feeling, her answer is always the same: “The usual.”
Along the way, Rosenbaum Family House became one of the miracles that sustained not only her healing, but her family’s ability to remain together during some of the most challenging moments of her life.
Rosenbaum Family House provides affordable lodging and a supportive environment for adult patients receiving care at WVU Medicine and their families. Since opening in 1999, the House has served more than 30,000 families from across West Virginia and beyond, offering far more than a place to stay.
A Lifetime of Perseverance
Hurley was diagnosed with Hand-Schüller-Christian disease, an extremely rare bone disorder, when she was an infant. Doctors told her parents she likely would not live beyond her teenage years.
“They told my mom and dad to take her home and be good to her,” Bonnie Marshall, Hurley’s sister and primary caregiver, said. “They didn’t think she’d make it to 15.”
Her illness required frequent hospitalizations. In 1992, she underwent her first major surgery to remove tumors and relieve pressure on her brain. A second surgery followed in 2012.
In 2023, a third and more aggressive tumor appeared, requiring a nine-hour craniotomy with reconstruction.
Sheila and Donald Hurley (from left) pose with Sheila’s younger sister, Bonnie Marshall.
A Home Away from Home
When Hurley began radiation therapy at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, daily travel to Morgantown was not feasible, and extended hotel stays were costly. That’s when the family discovered Family House.
The family stayed at Family House from Aug. 26 to Sept. 23 and from Oct. 28 to Dec. 11. Their days followed familiar rhythms, including regular conversations with other families facing similar journeys.
“There’s something special about talking to other families here,” Marshall said. “You realize you’re not alone. This place connects you. It gives you hope.”
Gratitude and Giving Back
The experience left such an impact that Marshall is committed to giving back through donations and advocacy.
“If I lived closer, I’d volunteer here,” she said. “People need to know how much this place helps families.”
To make a gift to Rosenbaum Family House, visit Give.WVU.edu/FamilyHouse or contact Thad Welch at 304-554-0229 or twelch@wvuf.org.
All donations are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University and its affiliated entities.
For more information on Rosenbaum Family House, visit RosenbaumFamilyHouse.com.