Prioritize investment in Hope Lodge

Baltimore is home to some of the best cancer treatment facilities in the world, bringing people from all over the globe to receive life-saving care. Unfortunately, the cost of lodging prohibits some patients from making the potentially lifesaving trip to Baltimore. The Baltimore Hope Lodge was constructed to ensure that lodging is not a barrier to care for these patients, providing them with a free place to stay and transportation resources to access their appointments.

As a cancer caregiver and someone who has personally known far too many fighting battles against cancer, I understand how critical it is for patients to have access to a comfortable, safe and nurturing environment during their treatment, which is why I am asking state lawmakers to prioritize an investment in the Baltimore Hope Lodge. The Hope Lodge is a community that has provided an invaluable service to patients since 1987. In order to continue to meet the needs of these current and future patients and grow its impact through more beds, a new facility is required.

An investment in the Baltimore Hope Lodge represents an investment in cancer care—the benefits of which would reverberate throughout Maryland. A larger Hope Lodge facility would enable more cancer patients to receive care at Baltimore’s institutions, which helps foster research and generate innovation.

A reimagined Hope Lodge will help Maryland reinvigorate its longstanding cancer care legacy. I deeply hope lawmakers agree and prioritize an investment in the Hope Lodge.