LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The American Cancer Society is helping people on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus in a unique way, by offering the healthcare workers a place to rest and relax during this stressful time.
The Hope Lodge is a place cancer patients and their families seek refuge and a sense of community during treatment.
"They're not meant to be isolated at the Hope Lodge," Lorri Malone said. "They're meant to come together, have caregivers with them. So it wasn't an environment that would be conducive to what we're having to do now and the changes we are having to make," Lorri Malone, said.
To protect the most vulnerable, The American Cancer Society has decided to temporarily close the lodge. Instead of letting it sit empty, the ACS has partnered with UK Hospital to lend the facility to people on the front lines.
"If they feel like they can't go home, it gives them a place to stay. They can stay short term, they can stay as long as they want. Whatever they feel like is best for them," Malone said.
The ACS says in the meantime, they're still here to help.
"We are still available to cancer patients through our 800 number, through cancer.org. We're here to help them as well," Malone said.
The ACS can be reached, at any time, at 1-800-227-2345.
Anyone who would like to help support the Hope Lodge, can do so at cancer.org/hopelodgefund.
