Banner MD Anderson, the Banner Health Foundation and Taylor Morrison broke ground this week on eight homes in Gilbert to provide housing and financial assistance for patients who travel to the Valley for care.

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Home Away From Home program, which will include 16 homes upon completion, will provide accommodations for 160 patients annually, according to a release.

The first eight homes donated and built by Taylor Morrison are estimated to be completed in early 2024.

"There's no greater gift we can provide than the comfort of home and for patients to be with their loved ones as they undergo the physical and emotional journey of cancer treatment," Taylor Morrison Chairman and CEO Sheryl Palmer, said.

"What we're building is a community of healing, and we hope patients can feel the healing benefits that a sense of community brings when living near other patients going through similar health experiences in beautiful, clean, new homes just steps away from their medical team."

Michael Herring, CEO at Banner Gateway Medical Center and Banner MD, said staying close to the hospital during the course of treatment is “vital for patients, but not all are able to afford the nearby lodging required for the treatment their lives depend on."

Patients include those undergoing a stem-cell transplant, who need to be within 30 minutes of the facility to qualify for their transplant and for post-operative monitoring, as well as blood cancer patients who receive daily treatment for weeks or months, according to the release.

The groundbreaking took place at the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center's John Hardison Garden of Hope Atrium at 2946 E. Banner Gateway Drive in Gilbert.

The Home Away from Home campaign began in 2019 with the goal of supporting cancer patients whose treatment protocol spans 30 or more days and who lack local housing, the release stated.