When you’re going through a serious illness, it helps to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Such is the case for guests Darwin and Gaby Jefferson. Diagnosed with stomach cancer, Darwin and his wife, Gaby, have been staying with us for several weeks while he undergoes chemotherapy at UNC Hospitals.  While they’ll be with us through the Christmas holiday, they are looking forward to packing up their Fayetteville home before moving back to their beloved Dorfprozelten, a municipality in Bavaria, Germany.  This is where their light and joy exist.

While staying at Family House, Darwin and Gaby have enjoyed getting to know many guests who they plan on staying in touch with after they leave Chapel Hill. When not at the hospital, Gaby has been cooking up a storm, baking German cakes, strudels, lots of christstollen konfekt cookies, oftentimes baking with other guests / newfound friends.

“It’s been a breath of fresh air to come to a place where people treat you like family,” Darwin shared. “They always have an ear for you here.  Staff go out of their way to help you.”  “That’s what’s so amazing,” Gaby said.  “The volunteers and staff are always showing concern for you.”  She added that they’ll be just fine while here during the holidays because they’ll be “around folks who are in the same situation as us.”

Asked what keeps them going through their cancer journey besides having each other to lean upon, Darwin said it was the “professionalism” of the UNC Hospital staff and then when they come back to Family House after his treatment,  “people welcome you as soon as you walk in the door.  They ask how you’re doing and really mean it.  This gives you a sense that people see and truly care about you.” 

We wish Darwin and Gaby the very best as they embark on their next journey, but this time in their beloved Germany and cancer free.