The push is on to raise the final funds needed to get work underway on a facility in Iowa City that’ll be used by cancer patients. Marcia Holley, of the American Cancer Society , says the Hope Lodge will fill a big need for cancer patients from across the state. (See artist sketch of proposed lodge at right)
Holley says it will provide a home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers. She says it’s designed for people who need to travel long distances for treatment. Holley says they are getting close to their fundraising goal.
Holley says they have raised five-point-six million dollars toward their overall right million dollar goal. She says they need six-million dollars to break ground, so they’re in a "full court press" to raise the final $400,000 to be able to break ground this fall. Holley says they’re asking everyone in Iowa to chip in.
Holley says "every nickel counts at this point in time." Cancer patients and their caregivers will be able to stay in the Hope Lodge for free while undergoing treatment. Holley says you can donate to the effort by calling a toll-free number. Call 1-888-266-2071, extension 7104. You can e-mail her at: Marcia.Holley@cancer.org, or visit the Hope Lodge website .
Holley says four million dollars of the eight million dollar goal will go toward building the facility, with four million used as an operating endowment. The facility will be built near the Ronald McDonald House at the University of Iowa.