American Cancer Society Announces Transformational Support from Chicago Health Systems to Bring a Hope Lodge to Chicago

CHICAGO, August 25, 2026 - To improve the lives of people with cancer and their families, the American Cancer Society is taking a major step toward expanding access to care in Chicago with a new Hope Lodge ®. Rooted in the organization's mission to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer, the new facility will provide no-cost lodging and supportive services to patients who need access to treatment without the burden of travel-related expenses. There are currently 31 American Cancer Society Hope Lodge communities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The Chicago effort is anchored by an investment from the University of Chicago Medicine, as well as generous support from Rush University System for Health, and additional community partners.

UChicago Medicine is contributing both the land for the future site of Hope Lodge Chicago through a long-term lease and a $5 million philanthropic investment. Together with Rush University System for Health's support, these commitments represent more than $10 million toward the campaign goal of approximately $82 million needed to bring Hope Lodge Chicago to life. The land donated by the University of Chicago Medicine will be located at 5700 South Stony Island Avenue in Chicago's Hyde Park.

"When cancer treatment requires traveling away from home, the cost of lodging can become a significant financial barrier at a time when patients and families are already carrying so much," said Shane Jacobson, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. "Thanks to this generous support from University of Chicago Medicine and Rush University System for Health, Hope Lodge Chicago will help remove that barrier so more patients can access the care they need."

Chicago is a regional oncology destination home to numerous hospitals and academic medical centers that serve patients from across Illinois and beyond. The city is one of the most expensive in the U.S. for lodging accommodations, with hotel rates having increased significantly since 2019, averaging around $320 per night. Many individuals must travel long distances for specialized treatment, often requiring extended stays that can create significant financial and logistical strain.

With planning underway, Hope Lodge Chicago is expected to provide thousands of nights of lodging each year, helping families save millions of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. These savings can be the difference between receiving care and delaying or forgoing treatment altogether.

Through the American Cancer Society Empower program, the facility plans include a Cancer Wellness Hub that will support guests of the Hope Lodge, as well as patients and families in the surrounding area with services focused on physical activity, nutrition, social connection, and stress management. This integrated model helps patients transition from treatment to survivorship, addressing both medical and quality-of-life needs.

"Our academic health system cares for patients from across Illinois, throughout the Midwest and far beyond, many of whom travel great distances to receive specialized cancer care and access leading-edge clinical trials," said Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, director of the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Hope Lodge Chicago will help ease one of the most significant burdens these patients and their families face during treatment, and we are proud to partner with the American Cancer Society and others to bring this transformative resource to our region."

Nationwide, the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge communities provide free lodging to more than 36,000 cancer patients and caregivers each year, saving them more than $85 million in lodging costs. For more information, visit cancer.org/HopeLodge.

###

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 110 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook,X, and Instagram.