Construction is nearing completion on the new Hope Lodge Grand Rapids, comprised of the Peter M. Wege Guest House and the Robert & Barbara Wood Service Center. The Society’s local service center will relocate to the new Robert & Barbara Wood Service Center in late December, and the entire facility will open its doors to welcome its first guests in February 2008.

The West Michigan Area Service Center is a community resource offering a full complement of cancer information and patient resources to assist in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer.

Thanks to the generosity of Robert and Barbara Wood, the service center, currently located at 400 Ann St. NW, will find office space and meeting rooms for local staff and volunteers at the new location at 129 Jefferson SE. This will eliminate the need for leased offices and create a more centrally located and accessible service center for the people in and around Grand Rapids.

Robert Wood, chairman of G&T Industries, has been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society for more than 30 years, beginning in Grand Rapids where he was volunteer Chairman for Kent County’s Crusade.

Since 1993, Bob has contributed his insight and vision as a member of the American Cancer Society Great Lakes Division Research and Development Task Force. Through this Task Force, he spearheaded the development of the American Cancer Society Foundation, Great Lakes Division, Inc., and served as its Inaugural Chair.

This dedication and service to the Society was recognized in 2000 when Bob was awarded the St. George National Award. This prestigious award is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Society’s goal to eliminate cancer.

"When I started working on cancer, I wanted to cure cancer in my lifetime," explained Bob. "That was 30 years ago. We haven’t cured it, but we have prevented a lot of deaths from cancer. And now we are improving the quality of life of those surviving cancer and those involved in cancer. That’s where the Hope Lodge comes in."

Hope Lodge Grand Rapids, the only Hope Lodge in Michigan, will be the 23rd such facility in the country and expects to accommodate approximately 600 patients and provide 7,200 complimentary nights of lodging for cancer patients and caregivers annually. The facility will not only reduce the financial burden for patients and caregivers traveling to Grand Rapids for treatment, but also provide a much-needed supportive environment for healing.

"This is really exciting and both Barbara and I are happy to be a part of it," said Bob, who will continue his involvement with the Hope Lodge Grand Rapids after the facility opens to guests. "Any extra time I have, I give to the American Cancer Society."

The American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, is working to establish an endowment to assist in covering annual operational expenses. For more information on donor and volunteer opportunities, please call Teresa Schaal at (616) 364-2540.

Pictured: Robert & Barbara Wood Service Center (top right); Peter M. Wege Guest House (bottom left)