Press Releases
ATLANTA, April 20, 2023 - The American Cancer Society recently received a gift of up to $11 million from Methodist Healthcare Ministries to open the American Cancer Society Methodist Healthcare Ministries Hope Lodge in San Antonio, Texas. The donation represents one of the largest single gifts the Hope Lodge program has received in its history.
Lodging expenses can present a significant financial barrier to cancer patients when the most effective treatment requires traveling away from home. To reduce disparities in cancer outcomes and help patients affordably receive the treatment needed, the American Cancer Society currently operates more than 30 Hope Lodge facilities across the U.S. Each facility offers eligible patients a free place to stay during cancer treatment.
“We thank Methodist Healthcare Ministries for their investment in removing an important barrier for people in cancer treatment and joining us in our vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone,” said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society. “Broadening our reach to add a fourth Hope Lodge to the state in the second largest city is exciting. We look forward to providing a supportive place to stay for people undergoing treatment in San Antonio and to continuing to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.”
More than 9,000 people with cancer travel to San Antonio for cancer treatment each year. The San Antonio Hope Lodge is expected to save patients more than $2.1 million in lodging costs and provide up to 14,600 nights of free lodging annually. Once open, the lodge will include 40 private guest suites with private bathrooms, living and dining areas, a library, a recreation room and an outdoor garden. Guests will also receive free transportation to treatment.
The American Cancer Society believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to live a longer, healthier life free from cancer regardless of how much money they make, skin color, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or where they live. In addition to providing lodging through its Hope Lodge facilities, the American Cancer Society provides transportation and lodging grants to health systems to assist patients who need it most and a Road To Recovery program that provides free rides to and from treatment.
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About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 100 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.