Housing & Living Arrangements

More than half of the patients who seek care through the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP) are from outside New England. Most out-of-town patients bring one or more family members for support and guidance, and they need a place to stay.

The Thornton House has been a “home away from home” for mesothelioma patients and their families since it opened in mid-2008. The house is located at 48 Francis Street just across the street from the main entrance of Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH).

The average stay is 19 days, and many families stay in the house repeatedly, coming back for checkups and tests or in the event of a recurrence.

Each level of the converted triple-decker Victorian house can accommodate up to three families at a time, one family per room, with many shared or common areas. The house was envisioned as more than just a place to stay, but as a conduit for support, sharing, and caring.

The hospital works with local hotels and inns who offer discounted rates for BWH patients. Similar rates are available in a number of nearby hotels.

IMP and BWH staff members are knowledgeable about additional resources to respond to the housing needs of patients and families when they travel to the Boston area for medical treatment.