Chapter 5.2-Hope Lodge
Hope Lodge is a program directed by the American Cancer Society. Facing cancer itself is already difficult for patients; however, when the best hope for treatment is out of town, it can become even harder to deal with the diagnosis. Hope Lodge offers cancer patients a home away from home. Each Hope Lodge provides cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city. The first Hope Lodge opened in Charleston, S.C. in 1970. Now, there are more than 30 Hope Lodge locations throughout the United States, one of them being in Cleveland."Hope Lodges are a 'home away from home' made available at no cost to patients undergoing active outpatient treatment for cancer."-mission statement
The Hope Lodge in Cleveland is named after Joseph S. and Jeannette M. Silber. Dedicating her incredibly long life to helping others, Silber spent time, money, and energy to ensure that cancer patients could live long lives too. Silber provided years of service to the American Cancer Society as a board member after the death of her husband, Joseph Silber, who was a national board member of the American Cancer Society. In the 1990s, Silber visited "Hope Lodge" in Baltimore and became determined to create a Hope Lodge in Cleveland. Her passion for the cause and donation of $2 million led to construction of the Cleveland Hope Lodge beginning in 1994. Silber was so dedicated to her work that the 91-year-old philanthropist was asked to visit the construction site less often because the workers would stop to chat with her. Unfortunately, Silber passed away in 2011 at 107 years old, but she left a legacy of service and passion for helping others.
Although Hope Lodge is completely free to guests, it does not have a rigid, hospital-like feeling to it. The environment is home-like and nurturing, allowing guests to feel more at home during difficult times. The program also provides numerous resources to patients and their families from information about cancer and treatment to emotional support.
The Joseph S. & Jeanette M. Silber Hope Lodge in Cleveland currently offers
- 31 guest rooms (most with two double beds) with a private bedroom/bathroom suite
- shared kitchen
- library, dining room
- living room
- surrounding gardens.
- buying groceries
- preparing meals
- doing the dishes
- working at computers
- working out
- watching TV
Patients are allowed to stay at Hope Lodge as long as they are receiving treatment. As most Hope Lodges run at 90%+ occupancy, there is frequently a waitlist for guests. To stay at the Hope Lodge, physicians or other health care professional must fill-out a referral form in advance of the first date of treatment. The length of stay varies from patient to patient, but the average length of stay is between four and six weeks.
