Hope Lodge provides facility for cancer patients
Published 12:00 pm Friday, July 31, 2015
Recently, the Chilton County Relay For Life Queens along with the Chilton County Relay For Life committee members visited with cancer patients at the Birmingham Hope Lodge. Those who visited included Angie Godwin, Courtney Brock, Sunny Mays, Larry Mays, Heather Smith, Emilee Smith, Dori Lawrence, Brandi Lawrence, Dani Claire Brock, Lilianna Thompson, Lola Thompson, Kailee Williams, Rex McAdams, Linda McAdams, Jean Coats, Hailey Ivey, Zachary Geiger, Mattie Woodall, Jennifer Woodall, Anna Thompson, Erin Geiger and Hannah Little. (Contributed Photo)
For many cancer patients fighting for their lives, the last thing they want to do is worry about where they are going to stay when receiving treatment, or how they are going to pay for it.
Patients traveling away from home for cancer treatments have the option to stay at 31 Hope Lodge locations offered by the American Cancer Society. The Hope Lodge facilities help to lessen the financial burden on families, as well as to provide a supportive environment for cancer patients and their caregivers.
In 2014, Hope Lodge facilities across the country provided more than 265,000 nights of free lodging, saving cancer patients an estimated $38 million in hotel expenses. The average total occupancy rate is 86 percent.
The Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge in Birmingham provided 419 nights of free lodging to seven cancer patients from Chilton County. This service saved patients and their families an estimated $54,470.
“Many patients require daily treatment for multiple weeks, and staying in a hotel for that long would be expensive,” Hope Lodge Director for the American Cancer Society’s Mid-South Division Jocelyn Phillips said. “Hope Lodge facilities are an excellent choice for these patients, not just because they can stay with a caregiver at no cost, but also because they will be with others going through the very same thing. That support can be invaluable.”
Hope Lodge locations vary in size, but each Lodge offers a private bath and sleeping accommodations for two (one guest undergoing cancer treatment and one caregiver). There are also community dining, laundry, kitchen and recreational areas.
Recently, the Chilton County Relay For Life Queens along with the Chilton County Relay For Life committee members visited with cancer patients at the Birmingham Hope Lodge. The Relay Queens and the committee also grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for the patients and enjoyed visiting with them over dinner. The queens are currently collecting toiletry items to donate to the patients staying at Hope Lodge.
Donations can be dropped off at SouthernCare in Clanton. For more information about the Hope Lodge program, call the American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/hopelodge.
On Aug. 4, a committee meeting for returning and new members in Chilton County will be held at 6 p.m. at West End Baptist Church. On Aug. 6, a team captain meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Alabama Power Building Conference Room.
