How to Get a Room at Hope Lodge When You Travel for Cancer Treatment

What Hope Lodge is and who can stay there

Hope Lodge is a free residential program run by the American Cancer Society. It provides temporary housing for cancer patients and one caregiver who need to travel away from home for medical treatment. You stay in a private or semi-private room in a residential facility, usually located near a major cancer treatment center. The program covers your room and basic meals while you receive outpatient or inpatient care at a nearby hospital or clinic.

Hope Lodge exists because cancer treatment often requires multiple trips to a specialized center — sometimes weeks or months of appointments. Staying in a hotel for that length of time can cost thousands of dollars. Hope Lodge removes that financial barrier by providing housing at no cost to you.

The program operates at specific locations across the United States. Each Hope Lodge is positioned near a major cancer center or medical hub. You cannot choose which location you stay at; the American Cancer Society places you based on where your treatment is scheduled and where a bed is available.

Key Takeaways

• Hope Lodge provides free housing for cancer patients traveling for treatment, plus one caregiver, at facilities near major cancer centers.
• You must have a confirmed appointment at a treatment facility near a Hope Lodge location and a referral from your medical team or social worker to be considered.
• The American Cancer Society reviews your request based on medical need, length of stay, and bed availability — not on income or insurance status.
• You contact Hope Lodge through the American Cancer Society's main line or through your hospital's social work department, which often handles the referral process.
• Most people hear back within one to two weeks, though availability varies by location and season.

Who can stay at Hope Lodge

You must be a cancer patient traveling for treatment. The American Cancer Society does not limit Hope Lodge to specific cancer types or stages. You also do not need to meet income requirements — the program serves patients regardless of financial situation or insurance coverage.

One caregiver can stay with you at no additional cost. A caregiver is typically a family member or close friend who helps with daily tasks, transportation, or emotional support during treatment. You do not need to be married or related to your caregiver for them to stay.

Your treatment must be scheduled at a hospital or clinic within a reasonable distance of a Hope Lodge facility. If your treatment center is not near a Hope Lodge location, you will not be able to use the program. The American Cancer Society maintains Hope Lodges in multiple cities, but not everywhere.

How to request a room: the basic steps

Start by contacting the American Cancer Society directly or asking your hospital's social work department to make a referral on your behalf. Many hospitals have social workers who handle Hope Lodge requests as part of their job. If your treatment center has a social worker, that is often the fastest route — they know the referral process and can submit your information immediately.

If you are contacting the American Cancer Society directly, call 1-800-227-2345 and ask to speak with someone about Hope Lodge. Have your treatment center's name and your appointment dates ready. You will need to provide basic information: your name, the type of cancer you are being treated for, your treatment facility, your appointment dates, and whether you need housing for yourself alone or for yourself plus a caregiver.

The American Cancer Society will confirm that a Hope Lodge is located near your treatment center. If one is, they will ask about your specific needs — how long you need to stay, any accessibility requirements, dietary restrictions, or other details that affect room assignment. They will also ask whether you have other housing options available and why Hope Lodge is necessary for your situation.

What information you need to have ready

Before you contact Hope Lodge, gather your treatment details. You will need the name of the hospital or clinic where you will receive care, the name of your oncologist or treating physician, and your confirmed appointment dates. If you do not have exact dates yet, you can provide an approximate timeframe — for example, "six weeks starting in March" — and update it later.

Have your contact information ready: your phone number, email address, and mailing address. The American Cancer Society will use these to send you updates about your request and to confirm your room assignment.

If you have a caregiver, have their name and relationship to you available. You do not need to provide extensive background information about your caregiver, but the program will want to know they exist and that they will be staying with you.

You do not need insurance information, proof of income, or financial documents. Hope Lodge does not use these to make decisions about who can stay.

How Hope Lodge reviews your request

The American Cancer Society evaluates requests based on medical need and bed availability. They prioritize patients who are traveling the farthest from home, who have the longest treatment schedules, and who have no other housing options. A patient traveling six hours for a three-month treatment course will typically be prioritized over a patient traveling two hours for two weeks of appointments.

Availability changes constantly. Hope Lodges near popular cancer centers fill up quickly during certain seasons. If beds are not available when you request housing, the American Cancer Society will place you on a waiting list and contact you if a room opens up. You can also resubmit your request if your dates change or if you want to try again later.

The review process usually takes one to two weeks. You will receive a phone call or email confirming whether a room has been assigned to you. If your request is approved, you will receive details about check-in procedures, house rules, meal times, and what to bring.

What to expect when you arrive at Hope Lodge

Hope Lodge facilities are residential homes or apartment-style buildings, not hotels. You will have a private or semi-private bedroom and access to common areas like a kitchen, dining room, and living room. Meals are typically provided at set times — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — though some locations offer more flexibility for patients with treatment schedules that vary day to day.

Each Hope Lodge has house rules covering quiet hours, guest policies, and use of common spaces. These rules exist to maintain a peaceful environment for all residents, many of whom are managing the physical and emotional demands of cancer treatment. You will receive a copy of the rules when you check in.

Staff members are on-site during business hours and on-call during evenings and weekends. They can help with transportation to your treatment appointments, answer questions about the facility, and connect you with additional resources like counseling or support groups if you need them.

What Hope Lodge does not cover

Hope Lodge covers your room and meals, but not transportation to your treatment appointments. Some locations offer shuttle services to nearby hospitals, but this varies. Ask about transportation options when you confirm your room assignment. You may need to arrange your own rides, use a taxi or rideshare service, or rely on your caregiver to drive.

Hope Lodge also does not cover medical care, medications, or treatment costs. It is housing assistance only. Your cancer treatment and related medical expenses are separate from Hope Lodge and are handled through your hospital and insurance.

If you need additional support — such as help paying for travel to reach Hope Lodge, or financial assistance with treatment costs — ask the American Cancer Society about other programs they offer. They run multiple assistance programs beyond Hope Lodge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if there is no Hope Lodge near my treatment center?

The American Cancer Society will tell you during your initial contact whether a Hope Lodge serves your area. If one does not, ask about other housing assistance programs they offer. The American Cancer Society also runs a financial assistance program that may help you pay for temporary housing or travel costs related to treatment.

Can my caregiver stay even if they are not family?

Yes. Your caregiver can be a friend, neighbor, or anyone else you choose. The American Cancer Society does not require a family relationship. They only need to know that your caregiver will be living with you during your stay and that they are involved in your care.

What if my treatment schedule changes after I am assigned a room?

Contact Hope Lodge as soon as you know your dates have changed. If you need to stay longer, they will try to extend your room assignment based on availability. If you need to leave earlier, let them know so they can open the room for another patient. Changes happen frequently in cancer treatment, and Hope Lodge staff expect to adjust plans.

Do I have to pay anything to stay at Hope Lodge?

No. Hope Lodge is completely free. There are no application fees, room fees, or meal charges. The American Cancer Society funds the program through donations.

How far in advance do I need to request a room?

Request a room as soon as you have confirmed treatment dates. The earlier you submit your request, the better your chances of securing a bed, especially if you need housing during a busy season. However, you can also request a room closer to your appointment date if your treatment schedule is not finalized yet.