By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Six months ago, the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge was just a dream. This week, select donors and volunteers participated in the first hardhat tours of the partially constructed facility at the corners of Jefferson and Cherry streets.
"The windows are installed, masonry is started, the roof is on the fourth-story section, and the stairwell is enclosed," said Major Gifts Officer Teresa Schaal. "We are right on schedule, and looking at the brick and mortar completion by early November."
When patients have to travel long distances for cancer treatment, it makes a stressful situation more stressful and becomes very expensive, Schaal said. "Some people elect not to get treatment because of the cost of travel and lodging. We've heard from local oncologists that some patients have even lived in their cars while they're getting treatment."
The ACS expects to provide free lodging for about 600 out-of-town adult cancer patients and their caregivers each year. The 30,000-square-foot facility features twenty private guest rooms, three living rooms, and four kitchens that open to a community eating area. In addition, guests will have use of a meditation room, a reflection room, a craft room, laundry facilities, and a fitness room.
Nearly $60,000 is still needed for the capital campaign to reach the $6.8 million goal. The campaign was jumpstarted with a $1 million donation from Peter M. Wege, and donation of the land by St. Mary's Health Care. The building will be the first Hope Lodge to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
Source: Teresa Schaal, American Cancer Society www.cancer.org/docroot/SHR/content/SHR_2.1_x_Hope_Lodge.asp
Photograph by Brian Kelly
Deborah Johnson Wood is the Development News Editor for Rapid Growth. She can be reached at [email protected].
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