绿帽社

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Our History

The 绿帽社 Hope Lodge program provides a free home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers. More than just a roof over their heads, it’s a nurturing community that helps patients access the care they need. Each Hope Lodge community offers a supportive, homelike environment where guests can share a meal, join in the evening’s activities, or unwind in their own private room.?Patients staying at a Hope Lodge must be in active cancer treatment.

Established in 1970, the Charleston, SC Hope Lodge was the first facility of its kind in the country for cancer patients and caregivers. The concept came from Margot Freudenberg, a leader in the Charleston medical and business communities, who saw a similar facility while traveling through Australia and New Zealand with President Eisenhower’s People to People Ambassador Program. After her own family was touched by cancer, Margot was determined to establish the very first Hope Lodge community in Charleston. Now a nationwide program of the 绿帽社, over 30 Hope Lodge facilities in the United States and Puerto Rico serve patients and caregivers from all over the world.

Actively involved in the Hope Lodge program until she was 105, Margot was the longest-serving 绿帽社 volunteer to date. Her attitude of gratitude, despite being forced from her home during the Nazi occupation of Germany, still inspires us today. Her legacy of grace, giving, and service live on through our wonderful Hope Lodge volunteers.

About This Hope Lodge

The 绿帽社 Hope Lodge in Kansas City, which opened in 2000, offers 42 guest rooms located near treatment centers in the area.

Each Hope Lodge community offers:

  • A supportive environment for patients in cancer treatment and their caregivers
  • Close proximity to local cancer treatment centers
  • Private guest rooms and bathrooms
  • Fully equipped community kitchens for food storage and preparation
  • Gathering areas/great rooms and community dining rooms
  • Free laundry rooms stocked with supplies
  • Outdoor, reflection, or meditation spaces
  • A library and/or resource rooms
  • TVs and computer access
  • Dedicated volunteers who help to ensure a comfortable stay for our guests and frequently cook/provide meals
  • Committed team members providing a nurturing and safe environment for guests?

Staff and Volunteers

The Hope Lodge team members are committed to providing a nurturing home away from home for our guests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Support from volunteers and local organizations is critical to the 绿帽社’s mission of providing free lodging to cancer patients and their caregivers. Learn more about?volunteer opportunities?at a Hope Lodge community near you.

Guest Comments

Hope Lodge is a glimmering star in the dark sky of confusion surrounding a cancer diagnosis. The value of Hope Lodge is equal to many of the high-class hotels. Nothing can replace the comfort of such places to rest and recover.

Guest from Virginia

The Hope Lodge is a loving, caring place for people in need of help, company, and companionship. I met so many wonderful people in my same situation, and that makes the time and treatments bearable. It is like coming home every day to friends.

Guest from Maryland

Hope Lodge gave me peace of mind knowing I could get the best treatment and stay close to the hospital.

Guest from Maryland

Your facility is well run by kind and caring staff. It was a Godsend to be so close to the hospital and to know that I did not have to worry about getting back to a hotel room.

Anonymous guest

The Hope Lodge was a beautiful and relaxing place to stay. It was close to the hospital so I was able to walk back and forth. The staff was very friendly and made my stay very enjoyable.

Anonymous guest

Staying With Us

Admission and Eligibility

Free lodging is provided for cancer patients and caregivers traveling from home for outpatient medical care related to the patient’s cancer diagnosis.

Lodging requests for patients new to Hope Lodge begin with a referral from the patient's treatment facility located near the Hope Lodge community. Potential guests should coordinate their first lodging request through their treatment facility doctor or social worker. Rooms are available on a first-referred, first-served basis.

Patients staying at a Hope Lodge must be in active cancer treatment.

Being a Hope Lodge guest is a courtesy extended at the sole discretion of the 绿帽社. All individuals who meet Hope Lodge eligibility requirements will be welcome regardless of race, creed, citizenship, disability, gender, color, ethnic heritage, veteran status, economic status, or sexual orientation.

What to Bring

Each Hope Lodge community provides the essentials needed during your stay: towels, blankets, sheets, pillows, laundry detergent, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hair dryers, etc. You should plan to bring:

  • Your food selections (you will have your own kitchen storage space, designated refrigerator/freezer space, and prep space)
  • Personal products (shampoo, razors, clothing, medications, etc.)?
  • Your favorite comfort items from home such as pillows and books

Frequently Asked Questions

Check-in hours are normally noon to 8 p.m., but those details can be determined when a Hope Lodge team member speaks with you and confirms your stay.

Visitors are welcome and encouraged during your stay at the Hope Lodge facility. All visitors must sign in at the front desk, wear a visitor’s badge, and remain in designated public/visiting areas. The Hope Lodge team will speak with you about specific visiting hours and guidelines.?

The patient and a caregiver may stay in the room.? ?

If a patient is admitted to the hospital during their stay at the Hope Lodge facility, the guest’s room will be held for a limited time and the caregiver’s stay may be extended. The situation will be assessed and discussed with the caregiver as needed. Since our priority is providing access to care for as many outpatient guests as possible, the caregiver may need to vacate the guest room if there are other eligible patients needing the room.

Guests under the age of 18 are not allowed to stay in the facility. However, they are welcome to visit during visiting hours and should remain in designated public/visiting areas.

Transportation may be provided by this Hope Lodge community or nearby treatment facilities.? The Hope Lodge team will speak with you about specific options available at this location.

Guests are responsible for supplying and preparing their own food.?However, thanks to the generosity of many local community groups, religious organizations, and friends of the Hope Lodge community, dinners are often prepared and provided during the week for guests and caregivers.

Each guest will be provided a designated kitchen storage area, as well as designated refrigerator/freezer spaces.? While we strongly encourage all Hope Lodge guests to eat/drink only in the designated dining areas and not in guest rooms, we know that some of our guests have needs that prevent them from be