Aaliyah Woolf’s Journey 

Aaliyah Woolf was just two years old when she had a seizure in the summer of 2013 and was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive brain tumor. Referred to UCSF for treatment, her family – her mom and dad, Deanna and Mike, her sister Liliana, and grandma Sandra -couldn’t imagine leaving her side. But living more than an hour away in Santa Rosa, they didn’t know how they would manage to stay close. That’s when their social worker introduced them to Family House. 

Over the next several years, Aaliyah underwent three brain surgeries while her family stayed at Family House. After her second surgery, she lost sight in her right eye and developed a serious brain infection. When her tumor began to grow again, her family faced an impossible decision on whether or not to put her through a third surgery – but chose to have faith. The surgery was successful and removed all of Aaliyah’s tumor. 

“Without Family House, the emotional and financial struggles for our family would’ve been so much harder,” her mom Deanna shares. “Family House eased the burden during this incredibly difficult time.” 

In 2016, Family House began a new chapter with the opening of our building in Mission Bay. Aaliyah and her family were starting a new chapter, too. Aaliyah was now cancer-free, and although she still faced challenges from the after-effects of her tumor and treatment, her family’s stays at the new house were filled with hope, progress, and comfort while they navigated new routines. Today, Aaliyah continues to return to Family House with her family for regular check-ups – experiencing the next generation of care and community the building was designed to provide.