Sep 26 2013
The American Cancer Society announced today plans to embark on the next phase of bringing hope to cancer patients receiving treatment in Salt Lake with its selection of local company, R&O Construction, as the builder of its newest Hope Lodge®.
R&O Construction has experience building state-of-the-art heath care clinics as well as non-profit outpatient housing facilities. Its previous project background, combined with its skill and dedication to quality and timely service, make it the ideal builder of the Hope Lodge.
“Contracting with R&O Construction is a major step forward in bringing the Hope Lodge to cancer patients in the Intermountain West,” said Pam Higginson, Vice President and Hope Lodge Campaign Director for the American Cancer Society Great West Division. “We look forward to uniting together to ease some of the burdens placed on our neighbors and community members battling cancer as we build a place of refuge, relief and healing.”
The Hope Lodge will be a 63,000 square foot home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers who travel to Salt Lake from rural Utah and surrounding states for treatment. By offering a free place to stay, the Hope Lodge allows cancer patients who may otherwise choose to forego treatment because of travel costs and associated expenses to focus on their treatment plan and path to healing and recovery.
“The Hope Lodge Campaign Board is committed to bringing this much-needed resource to those fighting cancer,” said Katie Eccles, Hope Lodge Campaign Chair. “Our selection of a builder means we are one step closer to ensuring that people from all over the region get the care they deserve, without having to worry about where they will stay or how they will afford the extra expenses.”
The Hope Lodge will be built at 100 S. and 400 E. in downtown Salt Lake City and will be the first of its kind to serve the Intermountain West, which includes Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Wyoming. It will include 42 private suites and serve nearly 800 patients annually.
“It is always satisfying to join a cause that will better the lives of thousands over time,” said Dale Campbell, President of R&O Construction. “We know there is an urgent need for a Hope Lodge in Salt Lake and that it will serve many deserving people. It’s an honor to be a part of making this much-needed facility a reality in our community.”
The Hope Lodge fundraising campaign is an $18 million venture, $13.2 million of which has been generously donated thus far. On September 26, the American Cancer Society will host its 2013 Hope Gala to “Drive Hope Home,” sponsored by its honorary chairs, Dean and Kim England. Dean England serves as Co-Chairman of the Board of C.R. England and serves on the board of the Salt Lake City Hope Lodge. The Englands are champions for the fight against cancer and have become great advocates for giving hope to cancer patients through the Hope Lodge. The Hope Gala looks to its attendees to raise funds that will contribute to making The Lodge a reality and will support other American Cancer Society community programs.
If you would like to attend the 2013 Driving Hope Home Gala or learn more about the Hope Lodge, visit HopeLodgeUtah.org.
About The American Cancer Society Utah
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
About R&O Construction
R&O Construction has been building in this community for more than 33 years and has offices in Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah and a regional office in Las Vegas, Nevada. They have a strong commitment to the communities where they do business, evidenced by their many non-profit contributions and volunteer efforts.
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