The new George Mark Children's Hospice in San Leandro is an important addition to the continuum of care for children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses and their families. The House will be the first residential pediatric hospice and respite program of its kind in the United States.

The House will offer these special children and their families two critical services that are not currently available: 1) a nurturing environment in which gravely ill children can receive the highest quality of respite care while their families have the opportunity to take a break from the non-stop responsibility of home care, and 2) a supportive, non-hospital setting in which to spend a child's last days as a family.

With George Mark Children's House, parents will finally have a desirable respite care option that enables them to take periodic breaks from the non-stop responsibility of home care so that they can get much-needed rest, take a rare vacation, watch another child's soccer game, or simply attend to day-to-day errands and neglected chores.

Such respite provides a sense of normalcy and order in an otherwise harried routine. During these breaks, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their child is in a loving environment full of playmates and activity. The House will be staffed by a skilled care team known to each child and familiar with his or her special needs. For more information on the hospice, please visit the George Mark Children's House Web site.