American Cancer Society Ribbon-Cutting for Hope Lodge Houston

The American Cancer Society held an emotional grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge facility in Houston on Monday, Sept. 13. The facility will soon offer cancer patients, age 12 years and older, and their caregivers a home away from home while traveling to receive care from any of Houston’s premier medical centers.

Houston-based foundations and organizations, along with donors from across the nation, have rallied together to help raise the funds needed to build the facility and to fund its operating endowment. The Hope Lodge Capital Campaign was launched in 2012 and led by Honorary Chairs the late President George Bush and his wife, Barbara Bush, and Campaign Co-Chairs the late NFL Texans Owner Robert McNair and his wife NFL Texans Owner Janice McNair.

“Like many others, our family has experienced the challenges of cancer,” said Cary McNair, Chairman and CEO of McNair Interests. “Both my parents have battled cancer, and we all have family and friends that have battled cancer too. And for many cancer patients, extraordinary financial and logistical difficulties are encountered from traveling to the Texas Medical Center for treatments. As a family, we recognize the need for Hope Lodge Houston so that traveling patients can focus all of their energy on fighting cancer. The Bush and McNair families are all smiling as we see Hope Lodge Houston become a reality.”

Having access to free lodging is an essential part of beating cancer for patients who must travel to Houston to seek care. When you combine mounting medical bills and interrupted employment with the expense of hotels, meals, and local transportation, it can become overwhelming. Sadly, many patients who could be treated successfully either put off treatment until it is too late, or forego treatment altogether because they have no place to stay.

When the American Cancer Society opens the doors to the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge later this month, the $30 million facility will be the largest in the United States with 64 patient suites. At full occupancy, it will provide 23,000 nights of free, temporary lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers each year – saving them $4.5 million annually.

“We remain committed to supporting patients along their cancer journey. And we are here, providing hope to the 127,000 patients traveling to Houston every year for cancer treatment, thanks to the generosity of partners and individuals in Houston and around the country,” said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO, American Cancer Society. “Without the continued contributions of community and business leaders, we are not able to provide a home away from home to cancer patients who shouldn’t have to worry about where they stay while undergoing treatment.”

The Bush and McNair families continued to support the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge efforts throughout the entire capital campaign. A donation from The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation as well as support from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center contributed to reaching the funds needed to raise the $30 million. Other top donors include the Huffington Foundation, Phillips 66, CEOs Against Cancer – Gulf Coast Chapter, Houston Methodist, AirSwift, the Hope Lodge Houston Volunteer Leadership Council and the Women of VICTORY.

The American Cancer Society operates more than 30 Hope Lodge facilities throughout the US and Puerto Rico. Each Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when their treatment is far away from home. Since 1970, the American Cancer Society has provided more than 6 million nights of lodging to patients across the country.

In addition to supporting breakthrough research for more than a century, the American Cancer Society has a 24/7 year-round live helpline, offers free rides to treatment, convenes powerful activists to create awareness, and provides free lodging near treatment centers.

Volunteers and donors can continue to support the guests staying with the Hope Lodge facility. Community organizations, volunteers and cancer advocates are encouraged to create fundraising events and supply drives in support of Hope Lodge. Supporters may purchase needed supplies through the Hope Lodge’s Amazon Charity list here: Houston Hope Lodge Amazon Charity List or make a financial contribution towards operational costs by visiting cancer.org/hopelodgehouston.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. We invest in lifesaving research, provide 24/7 information and support, and work to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. For more information, visit cancer.org.