The American Cancer Society’s AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center in Jamaica Plain recently not only celebrated its ninth anniversary of opening, but also having saved patients and caregivers $25 million dollars in lodging costs since 2008.
The AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center is located at 125 South Huntington Ave.
This modern facility provides a home-like supportive environment for cancer patients traveling more than 40 miles to their outpatient treatments. Guests often arrive anxious about their treatment and what lies ahead, but soon find that staying at Hope Lodge helps reduce their fears, fosters a sense of camaraderie, and offers emotional support– all at no cost. The 48,000-square-foot center is located at 125 South Huntington Ave., very close to Boston's world-class medical institutions. Patient suites each include a sitting room, bathroom and bedroom with two beds. Common areas feature a living room with fireplace and a large television, computer work station, library, game room, courtyards, washers and dryers and a meal preparation and dining area.
“For many, treatment at medical centers in Boston offers the greatest hope of beating their cancer, however, the cost of traveling far from home and facing the expense of hotels, meals and transportation, can make that option prohibitive for many,” said Matthew Blom, senior manager at Hope Lodge. “The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge program is here to help ease some of the burden. In Boston, we provide not just a comfortable, welcoming and private lodging space, but also transportation to health facilities. Guests have comfortable surroundings right next to Boston's beautiful Emerald Necklace network of parks, so patients and caregivers can discuss their experiences, share stories, eat meals together and draw strength from one another.”
There is no charge to stay at Hope Lodge for either the patient or his or her caregivers. Hope Lodge in Boston provides approximately 13,000 nights of free lodging to cancer patients every year. A typical guest spends six weeks at the Lodge, saving more than $6,000. Through the program at in Boston, the American Cancer Society has provided more than 113,000 nights of free lodging to more than 3,525 cancer patients from 49 states and seven countries since it opened nine years ago. Plus, guests have received thousands of rides to and from area hospitals and treatment centers. The Boston center is one in a network of 31 Hope Lodge locations nationwide helping patients.
For more information on volunteering or donating to Hope Lodge, or about any of the American Cancer Society’s programs and services, please visit www.Cancer.org or call 800-227-2345.