2021 MileOne Visionary Award presented at Caves Valley Golf Club

Dr. William Regine, chair of Radiation Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center and executive director of the Maryland Proton Treatment Center, received the 2021 MileOne Visionary Award on Monday, October 4 at the American Cancer Society's Fight Cancer from the Fairways, presented by Scott Fader of MileOne Autogroup. Dr. Regine received the award for his leadership on the Capital Campaign Committee for the funding of a new, larger, future American Cancer Society Hope Lodge of Baltimore that will offer 30% more capacity for cancer patient guests. This MileOne Visionary Award is given to a local American Cancer Society volunteer who continues to go above and beyond in the fight against cancer. Kudos to Dr. Regine for securing $550,000 for the project through gifts of $250,000 from the University of Maryland, $250,000 from The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center At Johns Hopkins Hospital and $50,000 from the Maryland Proton Center, in addition to him sharing the message with his colleagues at cancer centers nationwide to support other American Cancer Society Hope Lodges in their communities throughout the US. An additional $52,000 was pledged at the Fight Cancer From the Fairways event from generous donors. The Capital Campaign goal is $10 million. To donate to the future Hope Lodge, go to www.HopeisHomeBaltimore.org.

In addition, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation (RMSFF) also announced that the Foundation has pledged a $2 million challenge grant to support the renovation of a larger, reimagined facility where the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Baltimore will be relocating. The grant will be directed toward the capital campaign to create a larger capacity Hope Lodge Baltimore on the University of Maryland Baltimore campus. Fundraising for the campaign is ongoing and ACS is required to raise $2 million in funds by December 2022 in order to meet the challenge match requirement and receive the grant.

Since 1987, the 26-guest room Hope Lodge Baltimore has provided a place to stay for cancer patients traveling to Baltimore for treatment as well as free round-trip transportation from the Lodge to their treatment. The Lodge is consistently at full capacity and requires both additional guest rooms and a complete update to more effectively meet the needs of the cancer patients whose lives depend on access to the world-class treatment available at facilities in Baltimore. The ACS is also very grateful to the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine for their generous gifts towards the campaign. Many out-of-town patients being treated at both of these prestigious medical facilities, along with their caregivers, stay at Hope Lodge Baltimore.

The number of guest rooms at the reimagined Lodge will increase from 26 to 34, expanding the Lodge’s capacity by over 30%. This expansion will enable Hope Lodge Baltimore to offer an additional 2,920 nights of lodging to cancer patients and caregivers annually, helping to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes. More than 400 cancer patients and their caregivers spent nearly 13,000 nights at Hope Lodge Baltimore in 2019, saving an estimated $2.3 million in out-of-pocket costs. With hotel rooms in Baltimore averaging $175 a night, housing costs for cancer patients who may require treatment for up to six weeks or longer can easily exceed $9,000. Hope Lodge Baltimore will be located at 635 W. Lexington Street, immediately across the street from the present Hope Lodge facility. The new building will be completely renovated to provide state-of-the-art accommodations.

"Hope Lodge is among the most important aspects of the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center's partnership with the American Cancer Society. The cutting-edge cancer care provided by the UMGCCC often requires repeated or even daily visits over an extended period of time. For many patients who live at a distance, it would be impossible to complete their treatment at our center if not for Hope Lodge. It is truly a lifesaver,” said Kevin J. Cullen, MD., the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Professor in Medical Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Director of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“As an oncology nurse, I’ve seen firsthand the logistical challenges families face after cancer treatment begins,” said Kevin W. Sowers, President of Johns Hopkins Health System and Executive Vice President for Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Our support of Hope Lodge is one way that we are working to make a very difficult time in the lives of these patients and families a little easier. Providing temporary housing means one less worry so that they can focus on their loved ones healing. This is what makes the success of this capital campaign so important.”

The American Cancer Society operates 30 Hope Lodge facilities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Each Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city. Hope Lodge provides a nurturing, home-like environment where guests can retreat to private rooms and also have the opportunity to connect with others. Since 1984, ACS has provided more than 6 million nights of lodging to patients across the country, helping them save nearly $50 million in hotel expenses.

To learn more about the American Cancer Society patient lodging program, visit cancer.org.