S P R I N G 2 0 1 2 hope lodge news

M u S E k A M P F A M I l y H O P E l O D G E

In this issueVolunteer Gives Time and Donation to Hope lodge 1

Pan Ohio Hope Ride 2

Daughters Help Mother through her Cancer Journey 2

Barrett Center Employee Helps Patients Find a Peaceful Place to Stay 3

Manager’s Corner 3

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 4

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Volunteer Gives Time and Donation to Hope lodgeIt’s been nearly four years since the first time Dennis Loje started recruiting volunteers from Ethicon to cook meals for patients and their caregivers at Hope Lodge. “When we first started there were about five of us. Now we have more than 20 people who volunteer either by cooking or donating items,” said Dennis.

Nearly 10 years ago, Dennis’ father was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Dennis was unable to donate his kidney, but after meeting with the American Cancer Society and finding out more about the Hope Lodge, he knew this would be his way of giving back.

“We’ve met so many people that have left a lasting impression and put life into perspective. The best part of the evening is having dinner with everyone and how they are so positive,” said Dennis.

He goes on to tell a story of a young woman he met at Hope Lodge who was in her early twenties. Her immune system was so weak it could not handle outside exposure and she had to be quarantined for nearly a year. She was at Children’s Hospital and she was so weak she slept most of her days away. When she started to feel better she would draw pictures for the children who were patients so that their walls would not be bare while staying at the hospital.

“In spite of what she was going through, she was still doing what she could to help others,” said Dennis. “I couldn’t imagine being in a little room for that amount of time. I can barely sit on an hour flight on an airplane,” he chuckled.

Dennis is quite modest about his recent recognition as Johnson & Johnson’s Volunteer of the Year. This prestigious title enabled Dennis to designate a donation of $10,000 to his charity of choice, and he chose the American Cancer Society. “We get more out of Hope Lodge than anything,” he said.

“Our company does a lot of volunteer work, but this is unique. I don’t know of any programs at Ethicon where people go out and cook for other people.”

The employees are glad to donate their time and the food. They all chip in and come to Hope Lodge after work. The goal is to have a group from Ethicon come out every week.

If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Hope Lodge, call 1.800.227.2345 or visit cancer.org/hopelodge for more information.

Volunteers from Ethicon gather every month to prepare dinner

for Hope Lodge guests.

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Daughters Help Mother through her Cancer Journey

Pictured L-R Jessica Nelson, Wilma Christy, and Valerie Reitz were guests at the Musekamp Family Hope Lodge

Jessica Nelson and Valerie Reitz spent the holidays at the Musekamp Family Hope Lodge while their mother, Wilma Christy from Russellville, OH, had chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Christ Hospital over a four-month period.

“I was calling around trying to find out where we could stay that was close to the hospital while Mom received her treatments. Christ Hospital put me in touch with social workers who made all of the arrangements for us to stay here,” Jessica said.

Jessica lives in Shasta, California while her sister, Valerie, is from Eastern Kentucky. The two were glad Hope Lodge allowed them to stay close to the hospital. “Things come up unexpectedly,” Jessica said. “Every day during the New Year holiday, we had to take Mom in to get injections because her white blood count was low. Sometimes we had to take her twice a day. That would have been difficult if we weren’t able to stay at the Hope Lodge.”

“And the staff here is wonderful,” Valerie added. “Nancy makes you laugh. Bob gives you information. He has so much information! They listen to the patients and the caregivers and they get it. They get what you are going through.”

Wilma has renal cell cancer, also known as kidney cancer. It is a disease where cancer cells are found in the linings of tubules in the kidney. Wilma has already had one kidney removed, and more recently, a tumor the size of her head.

“Mom, what’s been the hardest for you?” Jessica asked.

“Probably firing us girls,” laughed Valerie.

“Yes, I have to fire them all the time,” said Wilma. “But being away from home is the hardest.”

“She misses her little doggies the most. Last time she was gone, when she came back the little girl dog was so happy to see her that she passed out,” said Valerie.

Pan Ohio Hope RideThe American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride has grown exponentially in five years. This year is expected to be the biggest and most successful ride yet. The ride supports the Society’s goal to save lives and create a world with more birthdays. It has raised more than one million dollars to help people stay well, help people get well, to find cures, and to fight back. One of the ways the Society helps cancer patients get the care they need is through Hope lodge. Cyclists love the cause…and the ride.

“It’s an event that you walk away from feeling like you were treated like a king or a queen,” said Matthew Davidson, Hope Ride co-chair.

“This is my third year doing the ride, but I can recall my first year as a rider and meeting everyone for the first time. I just showed up in Cleveland ready to ride. It was as if I had known everyone for years. It is a family atmosphere – we are all there for the same cause.”

“I have been an avid cyclist. I had never heard of Pan Ohio until a representative from the American Cancer Society came and talked to our company CEO about the ride because we have a cycle team there,” said Davidson. “I got really excited about it and I have been involved ever since.”

Whether you have been an avid cyclist for years or this is your first time picking up a bicycle to ride since middle school, it doesn’t matter. This ride is made for any and every one. “Just get on your bike and start riding. Set a goal. Say ‘This week I will ride one mile, next week two miles,” and slowly build yourself up,” Davidson explained. “There is no set speed, it’s a ride. It doesn’t matter how fast you get there, it just matters that you get there.”

The Pan Ohio Hope Ride is 328 miles; it starts in Cleveland and ends in Cincinnati. Riders may participate in one, two or all four days of the tour. People can get involved in other ways by volunteering to help at one of the stops. If someone is unable to make it to the ride, he or she can be a virtual participant and sign up. Online fundraising is available and encouraged to support the cause virtually, earning incentives, such as an event jersey.

At the Hope lodge, guests rally around each other to form strong friendships. last year, 2,900 patients and caregivers stayed at one of the four American Cancer Society East Central Division Hope lodge facilities in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Hershey and Philadelphia, saving them approximately $4.2 million in lodging cost. The Society also has 31 other Hope lodge facilities near major cancer centers, and works on lodging partnerships to help patients who have to travel.

There is still time to register for the ride. For more information, visit panohiohoperide.org or call 888.227.6446 ext. 1222.

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Manager’s CornerDear Friends of the Musekamp Family Hope Lodge:Recently a very dear guest of Hope Lodge passed away. Stacy was a beautiful and vibrant lady. She and her husband first came to Hope Lodge on their honeymoon almost three years ago because she had a malignant brain tumor that needed treatment right away. Unfortunately a new, more aggressive tumor developed this past year. Stacy passed away this January. Her husband, Jeff, told me, “I’m thankful the doctor was able to give us almost three more years together.” Even in his deep sorrow, he was thankful.

If there is anything positive that can come from the word cancer, it is this: cancer makes one think about what is important. Cancer makes one thankful for everyone, everything, and every moment in one’s life. The guests and caregivers at Hope Lodge know this; they live it every day. They are thankful for each other, for a newly found friend, a home-cooked meal, or for an extra minute of your time at the end of a stressful day.

We are so lucky to have a Hope Lodge in Cincinnati and I am so grateful to be a part of it. The Lodge is more than a “free hotel” for cancer patients to stay while getting treatment here; it really can become a “home away from home” and a place of support for the many residents who find themselves here bound by the same disease and the same goal – to get well!

I am especially grateful to be a part of Hope Lodge around the holiday season. Everyone is so generous and helpful. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the various groups and many individuals who volunteered and donated to Hope Lodge this past holiday season. Everyone at the lodge enjoyed the decorations and community dinners with students from area colleges. We are also thankful for the gifts and kitchenware from the Society Ohio Northwest Region volunteers and the pantry items and monetary donations from various individuals. Our holiday party, sponsored by Ethicon Endo Surgery, was a huge success. The weather was great and our East Central Division CEO Garry Pincock was also able to attend this year. On behalf of all our guests a big thanks to all!

Of course, we don’t need to wait until the holidays to be generous or until something serious happens in our lives to make us appreciative of others. Remember what is really important in life every day. Tell others how you feel and show them how much you care. Have an attitude of gratitude and giving all year long!

We hope to see everyone in downtown Cincinnati at the end of the Pan Ohio Hope Ride!

Sincerely,

Bob Ange Manager, Musekamp Family Hope Lodge

You can contact Bob at robert.ange@cancer.org or by calling 888.227.6446 ext. 4900.

“Yes, she did, but I make sure to talk to her every night,” said Wilma. “And she talks back! I ask her ‘Are you Mom’s little puppy girl?’ and Lilly says,

‘Uh huh.’” They all laughed at the deep connection Wilma and little Lilly have.

Wilma and her daughters are sincerely grateful for the services and comfort the Hope Lodge has provided.

“This place should really be called the ‘Comfort and Hope Lodge.’ It really is terrific,” said Jessica. “My husband and I have donated to the American Cancer Society in the past, before Mom was diagnosed. To be able to actually come and experience it first-hand makes me feel really good about making the donation.”

For more information about Hope Lodge and how you can get involved, visit cancer.org/hopelodge, or call the American Cancer Society at 1.800.227.2345.

Barrett Center Employee Helps Patients Find a Peaceful Place to Stay

For 21 years, Cynthia Dowell has worked for the Barrett Center for Cancer Prevention Treatment and Research located at University of Cincinnati Hospital as the clinical services coordinator, making sure patients receive the best treatment possible.

“You step in where you need to step in. It is not about you; it is about the patients. They are here because they need help and I am here to help them,” Cynthia said.

There have been plenty of times when Cynthia would

have to wear different hats at her job in order to help patients find the resources needed to guide them through their battle with cancer.

The Barrett Center offers high quality cancer care. Patients from around the country come to the Barrett Center to get treated. “When patients are looking for a place to stay, I am so glad I can say to them

‘I have a great place for you to stay’ and I send them to the Hope Lodge,” said Cynthia. “Even if a patient is only 60 miles away, sometimes they have to come here every day for their treatments and that can be hard for them. Hope Lodge is great place for them.”

Cynthia thinks the Hope Lodge is a wonderful option. “It is a beautiful place to stay and they have great staff. It’s a peaceful place to stay. Family members can come and visit them and caregivers can feel comfortable there as well,” she said.

To find out more about University Hospital Barrett Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment and other cancer resources call the American Cancer Society’s at 1.800.227.2345.

Cynthia Dowell, Clinical Services coordinator for Barrette Cancer Center, refers patients to the Hope Lodge

The official registration and financial information of the

American Cancer Society, East Central Division, Inc. may

be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State

by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 800.732.0999.

Registration does not imply endorsement. Ohio residents

may call 717.783.1720.

hope lodge news

American Cancer Society Musekamp Family Hope LodgeP.O. Box 897, Hershey, PA 17033-0897

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Gary Olson Chairman of the Board

M. Joyce Dienger, PhD, RN President

Garry L. Pincock Chief Executive Officer

Frank P. McGrady Chief Operating Officer

Colleen Fitzwater Vice President Marketing and Communications

Nikki Williams Program Manager, Mission Communications

Justin Perri Graphic Designer

Contact info: American Cancer Society 2808 Reading Road Cincinnati, OH 45206 1.888.227.6446 ext. 8551 nikki.williams@cancer.org

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness MonthReducing Colon Cancer Deaths in African AmericansNot only is the American Cancer Society working to help cancer patients get well, but it is working to find cures to help more patients survive cancer – or possibly avoid it in the first place. Colon cancer is one of two cancers that can be prevented by screening, as pre-cancerous cells can be removed before cancer ever develops. Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in the US. Last year, an estimated 49,380 people died from the disease.

Colon cancer is very treatable when it is found early. Everyone 50 and older is at risk for colon cancer, but African Americans have an especially high rate of colon cancer incidence and death. Colon cancer is found 20 percent more frequently in African Americans than whites and African Americans have a 45 percent higher rate of death from colon cancer. Getting more African Americans aware of the risk and increasing screening rates can save lives. One of the Society’s funded scientists in the East Central Division, Ronald Myers, PhD at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, is working to find the best tactics to increase screening rates among African Americans. The Society, United States Services Task Force and other organizations are collaborating on this four-year study, which compares the cost and effectiveness of standard intervention and a customized intervention by primary care physicians.

For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 1.800.227.2345 or visit cancer.org.