The Hope Lodge, which is the first in Michigan and 25th in the country, is a temporary, free residential facility for adult cancer patients and their caregivers traveling from outside the area for treatment at Grand Rapids cancer treatment centers. The first guests will arrive in February.

Approximately 3,800 patients receive treatment at Grand Rapids-based hospitals each year. Of those, one in every four patients travels from outside the area for treatment. In addition to the expense of treatment itself and the loss of income, most insurance companies do not cover transportation or lodging costs associated with obtaining treatment. The high cost of hotel stays often places an additional strain on cancer patients and their families during a challenging time of their lives. Offering lodging and transportation free of charge, Hope Lodge helps to ease the financial burden associated with lodging for out-of-area cancer patients while providing access to the full range of patient support services offered by the American Cancer Society.

The approximately 30,000 square-foot facility includes 20 private guest suites, each with a bedroom and private bath; four fully-equipped kitchens with a pantry for personal and community food items; a large dining area; several cozy living rooms; laundry facilities; an exercise room; a resource library complete with computer access and reading materials; areas for personal meditation; and an outdoor garden patio.

Hope Lodge was built according to green building standards in keeping with lead donor Peter M. Wege’s commitment to the environment and expects to gain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (L.E.E.D.) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council later this year. Among these features are a high efficiency heating and cooling system; a light-reflective roof to reduce heat island effect; close proximity to public transportation; more than one-quarter of building materials manufactured from recycled content and nearly 90 percent from within 500 miles of the building site; low-emitting interior materials; and sustainably harvested wood products.

As Grand Rapids continues to emerge as a premier destination for cancer treatment in the region, Hope Lodge will offer convenience, support and, most notably, hope for cancer treatment patients and their caregivers for many years to come.

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: Local philanthropist and lead donor Peter Wege cuts the ribbon at the opening of the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Peter M. Wege Guest House. Pictured (L to R): Karyl DeBruyn, Hope Lodge manager; Joe Mahoney, ACS chairman; Nancy Yaw, CEO, American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division; Peter Wege; Frank Merlotti, Jr. and Alex DeYonker, Hope Lodge Capital Campaign co-chairs; and Teresa Schaal, ACS major gifts officer.