CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Extended Stay America and the American Cancer Society announced an unprecedented multi-year partnership through which Extended Stay America will provide 20,000 overnight stays to cancer patients who must travel far from home to receive life-saving treatment. Extended Stay America will offer 10,000 rooms free of charge to patients plus an additional 10,000 stays at a special rate of $12 per night, providing patients an affordable, comfortable place to stay so they can focus on getting well.
The program will be piloted in Atlanta, Boston, and Houston beginning Nov. 1., then expand into other key cities in December before launching nationwide in early 2014.
“Extended Stay America is committed to giving back to the many communities in which we operate, and one important way to accomplish this is by taking care of those who seek a better future for themselves and their families,” says Jim Donald, chief executive officer at Extended Stay America. “With cancer impacting everyone’s life in some way, we’re proud to partner with the American Cancer Society to provide the key to hope for patients battling cancer so they can focus on their fight.”
One of the most important keys to surviving cancer is access to treatment. For many patients, the best hope for a cure means traveling an average of 140 miles to a treatment facility in another city, sometimes for weeks or months. Through its Hope Lodge program, the American Cancer Society offers free, temporary lodging to patients and their caregivers, offsetting costs associated with living away from home during treatment.
In 2012, Hope Lodge provided more than 260,000 nights of free lodging to cancer patients, saving them an estimated $26 million in hotel costs. Now, Extended Stay America will extend that opportunity for overnight stays throughout 632 locations in the U.S., alleviating demand on the 31 American Cancer Society Hope Lodge facilities which often run at capacity.
“The American Cancer Society is dedicated to removing the barriers that cancer patients face when seeking treatment,” said Kristen Solt, vice president, Hope Lodge Network, American Cancer Society. “Having to travel for treatment puts an additional burden on families who are already going through a great deal of emotional and financial stress. With Extended Stay America’s donation of 20,000 hotel nights, we’re able to provide increased support for patients and ease some of the burden of cancer in their lives.”
