American Cancer Society Gene and Jerry Jones Family Hope Lodge
Dear Friends of Hope Lodge,
When I sat down to write this letter, I kept circling back to the idea of “looking forward.” This came to mind quickly, because when summer arrives there is so much to look forward to. But as I reflected on the idea, I realized that at our Hope Lodge community there is a “looking forward to” that goes far beyond the activities of summer.
As we welcome Hope Lodge guests every day and get to know them better, we share one singular hope with each of them: looking forward to the days after treatment or looking forward to life after cancer. We all know that feeling. It is the deep roots of hope.
This “looking forward to” is what the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program is all about, and you are an important part of that. The hours donated by dedicated volunteers, the delicious meals dropped off by community members, supplies ordered and sent from our Amazon wish list, and, of course, the generosity of our donors all keep our facility running. But, more importantly it makes the “looking forward to” a reality for so many!
As you read this newsletter, keep that feeling in mind. The cancer journey is difficult and daunting, but we want every day filled with the promise of what is possible after cancer. That’s what drives us. That’s why our home away from home for people with cancer and their caregivers is called Hope Lodge.
As you turn your calendar to the sun-filled months of summer, we hope you are looking forward to vacations, outings, and festivities with family, friends, and loved ones. Thank you for being part of our Hope Lodge family. Please read on to see the latest news! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you.
With gratitude,
Buffy Viracola, Senior Manager Hope Lodge
Triathlete and Her Mother Find Hope in Dallas
In July 2021, Victoria Phillips was a healthy 29-year-old senior project manager with British Airways based out of Austin, Texas. She was on her way to Chicago with a friend for a triathlon when she started experiencing bad headaches. After the race, the headaches got worse. In an emergency room in Nashville, doctors subsequently discovered a brain tumor, and Victoria was rushed into surgery.
“My husband and I were coming from the United Kingdom to the US to visit our daughters,” said Liz Phillips, Victoria’s mother. “Just as we were leaving the UK, Victoria called and said she was in the hospital. She had a brain tumor. It was the worst day of our lives.” Victoria stayed in Nashville for two more weeks to recover before the long road of treatment ahead. She was referred to radiation proton therapy in Dallas.
“After Victoria completed her radiation treatments, I decided to leave the United Kingdom and meet her back in Dallas for the start of chemotherapy,” Liz said. “We didn’t know what we were doing or where we’d stay.” Luckily, a social worker referred them to the American Cancer Society Gene and Jerry Jones Family Hope Lodge facility in Dallas. Liz said the Hope Lodge community was a safety net for her and Victoria.
“Hope Lodge has given us time to cope with what we’re going through, and it’s given us hope for a great future,” Liz said. “Hope looks different for everyone. We all need hope.”
While the Hope Lodge community has been a relief to Victoria and her mom during this stressful time, Victoria is looking to the future. She wants to find a more permanent place to live in the Dallas area where she can continue her treatment, return to work when she is feeling better, and spend time with friends. She is looking forward to life returning to normal as quickly as possible.
A Letter That Says It All from Room 102
A recent letter from two guests, Mike and Karen, who stayed at a Hope Lodge facility for 46 nights during Mike’s radiation treatment, expressed their gratitude for this unique home away from home. Their stay at the Hope Lodge community also saved them more than $7,000 in hotel costs. Before learning about the American Cancer Society program, the couple paid more than $160 per night for several weeks at a hotel so they could access the lifesaving cancer care Mike needed. As you’ll read, it’s not just financial support, but also the comfort, kindness, and HOPE provided through the true power of the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program that helped them on their cancer journey.
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