American Cancer Society breaks ground on Hope Lodge

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An artist rendering of Utah's Hope Lodge. Photo by The American Cancer Society
An artist rendering of Utah’s Hope Lodge. (Photo courtesy The American Cancer Society)

The American Cancer Society broke ground yesterday on Hope Lodge, a 63,000-square-foot facility in downtown Salt Lake City.

Hope Lodge will provide free temporary housing for adult cancer patients and their caregivers as the former seek treatment in Salt Lake City’s medical centers. The Society has raised nearly $17 million of its $18 million campaign goal for the project.

Katie Eccles, the Hope Lodge Campaign chairperson, said the Lodge will eliminate financial stress caused from the travel and lodging costs associated with seeking treatment.

“With Hope Lodge, no one will ever need to forego treatment because of the cost of travel and lodging away form home — this is paramount in creating a world with no cancer,” Eccles said in a press release.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated the land the Lodge will be built on. Bishop Gerald Causse, the first counselor of the LDS Presiding Bishopric, was present at the groundbreaking.

Other lead donors on the project include the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the state of Utah, OC Tanner and the Sorensen Legacy Foundation.

Hope Lodge will feature 41 private suites, common areas for cooking and dining, a garden and a study. R&O Construction will complete construction on the project.

“Beginning construction means our vision to create a refuge of hope for cancer patients is taking shape and becoming a reality,” said Pam Higginson, the vice president and Hope Lodge campaign director for the American Cancer Society Great West Division.

Hope Lodge is located at 375 E. 100 South in Salt Lake City. It is projected to open in the summer of 2015 and will serve nearly 800 patients a year.

Individuals interested in donating to Hope Lodge or volunteering in one of the Society’s programs can visit hopelodgeutah.org for more information.

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