Tuesday, November 10, 2009

American Cancer Society Hope Lodge

A Home Away from Home
during Cancer Treatment
The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge North Phoenix provides a place for cancer patients receiving treatment and their caregiver. Any cancer patient living at least 50 miles away from their treatment facility can stay at the Hope Lodge, at no cost. No matter what hospital or treatment facility a patient is being treated at, they are welcome to stay at Hope Lodge.

Hope Lodge currently is one of the three casitas located at the Village at Mayo Clinic off the 101 and 56th Street in Phoenix. Each patient and their caregiver are provided a private bedroom and bathroom. The living room, kitchen and laundry room are communally shared at the Hope Lodge. This provides an opportunity to interact and provide support to one another.

Kyle Robinson and his mother Deborah are currently staying at Hope Lodge while Kyle is receiving cancer treatment. They first heard of the Hope Lodge through a visit with an American Cancer Society Patient Navigator. Traveling far from their hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, the two had been renting an apartment. Now at Hope Lodge, they are able to interact with other guests, enjoy the tranquility that the desert landscape has to offer and are in the proximity of the Mayo Campus where Kyle is receiving his treatments.

“It’s just a whole atmosphere that is conducive to life and that’s what I need for my 22 year old son,” said Deborah Robinson. “This puts a big relief on us, with the cost of medications and other things, it’s extremely helpful.”

The Capital Campaign for Hope Lodge North Phoenix is led by Volunteer Chair, Jerry Colangelo. A prostate cancer survivor, Colangelo is providing his support for this important American Cancer Society Program.

“The Hope Lodge is supplying services to those in need,” said Colangelo. “For those of us who have been blessed, it’s important to be giving back to the community.”

On Friday, the Village at Mayo Clinic held the Grand Opening for this new facility. The Village at Mayo Clinic is a unique collaboration among Mayo Clinic Arizona, The Arizona Transplant House and the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.

With the donation of land from Mayo Clinic, the American Cancer Society has been able to build the first Hope Lodge west of the Mississippi.

Future plans include building two additional Hope Lodge casitas, eventually serving a total of 18 cancer patients and their caregiver at any given time. The Capital Campaign continues for this community project. To make a donation to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge North Phoenix, call 602-586-7403.

To learn more about the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, visit www.cancer.org/hopelodgenorthphoenix.
For patients interested in staying at the Hope Lodge North Phoenix or for general cancer information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call 1-800-227-2345 or log onto http://www.cancer.org/