Extended Stay America Partnership to Provide Balt.-Bound Cancer Patients with Free & Low-Cost Lodging

The American Cancer Society – the largest voluntary health organization in the U.S. – recently announced an unprecedented multi-year partnership with Extended Stay America – the largest company owned and operated hotel chain in the U.S. Over the course of two years, Extended Stay America will provide 40,000 hotel stays to cancer patients receiving life-saving treatment away from home, including 20,000 rooms free of charge plus an additional 20,000 stays at an incredibly discounted rate of $12/night, offering patients and caregivers an affordable, comfortable place to stay allowing them to focus their energy and financial resources on getting well.

The program, previously piloted in Atlanta, Ga.; Boston, Mass. and Houston, Texas, is now launching in ten additional cities: Baltimore, Md.; Billings, Mont.; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago, Ill.; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Durham, N.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Seattle, Wash. The program reach will continue to expand rolling out nationwide to the entire Extended Stay America portfolio in the near future. To request an Extended Stay America room, cancer patients and their caregivers should contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

One of the most important keys to surviving cancer is access to treatment and for many patients, the best hope for a cure means traveling to a treatment facility in another city, sometimes for weeks or months.

The American Cancer Society offers free, temporary lodging to patients and their caregivers, offsetting costs associated with living away from home during treatment through its Hope Lodge program.  In 2013, Hope Lodge provided more than 265,000 nights of free lodging to cancer patients, saving them an estimated $38 million in hotel costs.

As the partnership continues to roll out across the U.S., Extended Stay America extends a hand by providing 40,000 overnight stays at the brand’s 632 hotel locations, alleviating demand on the 31 American Cancer Society Hope Lodge facilities which often run at capacity.

“Extended Stay America is committed to giving back to the many communities in which we operate, and one important way to accomplish this is by taking care of those who seek a better future for themselves and their families,” says Jim Donald, chief executive officer at Extended Stay America. “Our hotels are specifically designed to bring the comforts of home to extended stay guests and we’re especially proud to leverage our unique properties to supplement the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge program helping to expand their vital efforts.”

 “The American Cancer Society is dedicated to removing the barriers cancer patients face when seeking treatment,” said Kristen Solt, vice president, Hope Lodge Network, American Cancer Society. “Traveling for treatment puts an additional burden on people who are already experiencing emotional and financial stress. We're thrilled to have the Extended Stay America donation as every room we provide makes a huge impact. We experienced great success during our pilot effort proving the partnership is an effective way to expand our room inventory. In Houston, for example, the demand for lodging well exceeds our resources, and now with Extended Stay America’s rooms, we are able to meet many more patients’ needs for lodging while in Houston.” 

“When you are sick with cancer and taking treatments, your time should be spent on the many things you need to do to get well,” said North Carolina resident Jimmie Herndon who traveled to Baltimore for his cancer treatment. “Worrying and being in a negative state can hinder your ability to get well.”

“I called the American Cancer Society’s 800 number and was told about the program with Extended Stay America,” said Jan Grady, whose son needed to attend a five-hour chemotherapy treatment every day for a week. “My son and his father were able to stay at the Extended Stay America hotel near the treatment center. Without this, it would have been a tremendous financial hardship. This program is lessening our burden by thousands of dollars.” Grady was so moved by the experience, she is now volunteering at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in her home town in an effort to pay it forward.

Extended Stay America provides the comforts and conveniences of home complete with on-site laundry centers, kitchens in each hotel room for patients to store and cook the foods they enjoy, and flat-screen TVs with premium channels to unwind with favorite shows. In-room Wi-Fi access allows patients to stay connected with loved ones while away from home, daily Grab and Go Breakfast provides quick and healthy choices to start the day and pet-friendly accommodations allow beloved pets to provide healing comfort.

To join Extended Stay America and the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer, visit ExtendedStayAmerica.com or call 800-804-3724. For information about American Cancer Society programs and services, including the Hope Lodge program, please visit cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.

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About Extended Stay

Extended Stay America, Inc., the largest owner/operator of company-branded hotels in North America, owns and operates 684 hotels in the U.S. and Canada comprising approximately 76,200 rooms and employs approximately 10,000 employees in its hotel properties and headquarters. The Company owns and operates hotels under the core brand Extended Stay America®, which serves the mid-priced extended stay segment, and other brands.  Visit www.extendedstay.com for more information about the Company and its services.

 About American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation's  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.