Hope Lodges: More than a place to stay, a real symbol of hope
Today there are 31 Hope Lodges in the United States. Of these 31, two are in Ohio. One Hope Lodge is located in Cleveland and one is located in Cincinnati. The Cleveland location opened in 1995, while the Cincinnati location opened more recently in 2004.
“In addition to these two locations, we also have a staff member that works to find free or low-cost hotel rooms for patients that may be getting treatment in the Columbus area,” Wendy Simpkins, ACS senior director of media relations, explained. “The Hope Lodges are an incredible help to a lot of patients. One patient actually told me she would have lost her family’s home if she’d had to pay $140 or more a day for hotel bills on top of her time off work and medical expenses.”
According to Simpkins, the Hope Lodges provide free, supportive lodging for cancer patients. Having them available relieves an extra financial burden from the family.
“In addition, it also reduces other costs by providing a kitchen and a laundry,” Simpkins added. “Helping reduce those additional expenses like food and laundry while a loved one receives weeks or months of treatment can make a huge difference.”
The Hope Lodges also provide another kind of support, emotional and mental support from those families staying under one roof.
“Family members form a supportive family as they live with other people experiencing a cancer journey,” Simpkins said. “Volunteers sometimes bring in meals or donate goods, and families sometimes share their cooking, too. The Ohio Hope Lodges also provide computers and Internet access, allowing families to stay in touch with loved ones back home, and for those caregivers away from work, giving them a chance to check in and catch up. We try to provide those extra things you wouldn’t normally think of until you were in that situation.”
The only thing a family staying at a Hope Lodge would need to bring would be clothing, food, and toiletries. For those who don’t have time to grab toiletries, the lodges do receive donations of toiletries as well as laundry detergent, food, and other items.
Hope Lodges are one of the American Cancer Society’s many services made possible by the generous support of others. Simpkins said that anyone who has ever participated in a Relay for Life, ridden in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride or sent in a memorial donation has helped support a family in crisis without even realizing it.
“We also have national partners,” she added. “Simmons donates mattresses for Hope Lodges and Whirlpool generously donates appliances, including the kitchen and laundry room. Okab, a shoe company, donated $20 per pair of shoes purchased on shoesthatluvu.com through the end of July. We appreciate all our supporters whether individual or companies, every single donation makes a huge difference.”
These lodges are beautiful and peaceful and are normally located near a hospital or campus. There are many volunteers that do a variety of activities to keep the lodges in such incredible shape.
“Volunteers do a lot of work,” Simpkins said. “Many take care of the gardening, others bring in baked goods, donate good books, help answer phones, sort mail, give tours, check in guests, play music, organize bingo and other entertainment, and make donations. We also have a staff that makes sure each room is sanitized before a new family is admitted (as new guests have compromised immune systems) as well as help the residents and maintain the grounds. There is a staff member on site around the clock to help check in people or help if someone needs assistance.”
The ACS Hope Lodges were founded by Margot Freudenberg, who fled Nazi Germany in 1940. According to Simpkins, Freudenberg was inspired by a facility for cancer patients in New Zealand during the 1960s. The first Hope Lodge opened in Charleston, S.C. in 1970. Freudenberg recently celebrated her 104th birthday on August 8. She was a volunteer for 71 years and was the longest serving volunteer.
The Hope Lodges are generally first come, first serve, with no income requirements. For information on eligibility requirements or to find out more information, call the American Cancer Society toll-free, anytime, day or night, at 800-227-2345. You can also take a virtual tour at http://www.cancer.org/hopelodge.
“In addition to these two locations, we also have a staff member that works to find free or low-cost hotel rooms for patients that may be getting treatment in the Columbus area,” Wendy Simpkins, ACS senior director of media relations, explained. “The Hope Lodges are an incredible help to a lot of patients. One patient actually told me she would have lost her family’s home if she’d had to pay $140 or more a day for hotel bills on top of her time off work and medical expenses.”
According to Simpkins, the Hope Lodges provide free, supportive lodging for cancer patients. Having them available relieves an extra financial burden from the family.
“In addition, it also reduces other costs by providing a kitchen and a laundry,” Simpkins added. “Helping reduce those additional expenses like food and laundry while a loved one receives weeks or months of treatment can make a huge difference.”
The Hope Lodges also provide another kind of support, emotional and mental support from those families staying under one roof.
“Family members form a supportive family as they live with other people experiencing a cancer journey,” Simpkins said. “Volunteers sometimes bring in meals or donate goods, and families sometimes share their cooking, too. The Ohio Hope Lodges also provide computers and Internet access, allowing families to stay in touch with loved ones back home, and for those caregivers away from work, giving them a chance to check in and catch up. We try to provide those extra things you wouldn’t normally think of until you were in that situation.”
The only thing a family staying at a Hope Lodge would need to bring would be clothing, food, and toiletries. For those who don’t have time to grab toiletries, the lodges do receive donations of toiletries as well as laundry detergent, food, and other items.
Hope Lodges are one of the American Cancer Society’s many services made possible by the generous support of others. Simpkins said that anyone who has ever participated in a Relay for Life, ridden in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride or sent in a memorial donation has helped support a family in crisis without even realizing it.
“We also have national partners,” she added. “Simmons donates mattresses for Hope Lodges and Whirlpool generously donates appliances, including the kitchen and laundry room. Okab, a shoe company, donated $20 per pair of shoes purchased on shoesthatluvu.com through the end of July. We appreciate all our supporters whether individual or companies, every single donation makes a huge difference.”
These lodges are beautiful and peaceful and are normally located near a hospital or campus. There are many volunteers that do a variety of activities to keep the lodges in such incredible shape.
“Volunteers do a lot of work,” Simpkins said. “Many take care of the gardening, others bring in baked goods, donate good books, help answer phones, sort mail, give tours, check in guests, play music, organize bingo and other entertainment, and make donations. We also have a staff that makes sure each room is sanitized before a new family is admitted (as new guests have compromised immune systems) as well as help the residents and maintain the grounds. There is a staff member on site around the clock to help check in people or help if someone needs assistance.”
The ACS Hope Lodges were founded by Margot Freudenberg, who fled Nazi Germany in 1940. According to Simpkins, Freudenberg was inspired by a facility for cancer patients in New Zealand during the 1960s. The first Hope Lodge opened in Charleston, S.C. in 1970. Freudenberg recently celebrated her 104th birthday on August 8. She was a volunteer for 71 years and was the longest serving volunteer.
The Hope Lodges are generally first come, first serve, with no income requirements. For information on eligibility requirements or to find out more information, call the American Cancer Society toll-free, anytime, day or night, at 800-227-2345. You can also take a virtual tour at http://www.cancer.org/hopelodge.
Published: October 6, 2011
