SCARBOROUGH, Maine — The American Cancer Society has announced the continuation of its partnership with Extended Stay America’s (ESA) “Keys of Hope” program for another two years.
Through this collaboration, ESA will donate 100,000 free and discounted room nights to cancer patients and their caregivers whose treatments may take them far from home. The program began in 2013 and ESA has generously donated thousands of rooms across the country for the past two years.
The Society owns and operates 31 Hope Lodge facilities in 22 states which also provide a free place to stay for cancer patients. However, the Hope Lodges quickly fill up and there is often a waiting list. Extended Stay America has over 632 properties in 120 communities in the U.S. and Canada – including the one in Scarborough. ESA’s guest rooms come equipped with a full kitchen and access to laundry facilities, making them more like home and more like the Society’s Hope Lodges. The program is open to patients of all ages, including pediatric patients accompanied by a parent.
Pamela Griffith, a resident of Houlton was diagnosed with lung and early stage brain cancer. Her local oncologist suggested that the best treatment option for her would be available at Maine Medical Center’s Cancer Institute (MMCCI) in Scarborough – over 500 miles and eight hours round trip from her home.
Griffith needed daily radiation treatments for 14 weeks and staying at a local hotel or renting a short-term apartment was not something she could afford. After hearing Griffith’s story, Rebecca Diggins, the American Cancer Society patient navigator at MMCCI, suggested the Extended Stay America program.
Working with the Society’s Patient Service Center, Griffith was approved for a free stay at the ESA in Scarborough – only 3.5 miles and 10 minutes from the hotel – for the entire duration of her treatments allowing her to receive the uninterrupted care she needed and providing her with the chance to beat this disease.
“Not having to worry about where to stay or how to pay for lodging was such a relief to me and my family,” said Griffith. “The staff at Extended Stay America was wonderful and the room was perfect. I was very tired and not feeling well during my treatments so I appreciated not having to travel very far.”
To qualify for the program, patients must be in active cancer treatment and live more than 40 miles or one hour away from where they receive care. Accommodations are based on availability, and requests are met on a first come, first served basis.
In addition to “Keys of Hope,” ESA staff actively participates in American Cancer Society Relay for Life events in their local area and raise money at check-in to help fund Society research programs. For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
