What is Hope Lodge?
Astra Zeneca Hope Lodge in Cheltenham, PA is a facility that houses up to 40 cancer patients and their caregivers while they receive life saving but rigorous treatments in some of our nations best hospitals located in Philadelphia.
How did Team CMMD get involved?
It was the night before the Broad Street Run 2015 when a member of American Cancer Society’s DetermiNation team approached Team CMMD about possibly providing a few dinners for the patients at the lodge. Members of DetermiNation knew that Team CMMD and Hope Lodge would be a great match. Since that first dinner last summer, our team has served six themed dinners. Team CMMD has received an incredible response not just from the awesome patients staying at the lodge but from our own Team CMMD members. We put most of our planning and signups via Facebook and the outpouring of support has been inspiring. We have been able to provide six dinners for 80 people provided entirely by Team CMMD member donations. As so many Team CMMD members have been eager to help, we have expanded our dinners to include several giveaways for the patients and their caregivers. During the holiday season our Team CMMD in Training members (kids age 6-12) made hand tied fighter blankets with “Team CMMD No One Fights Alone” embroidered on them. We were able to deliver 40 of these blankets to the patients at Hope Lodge.
How can you help?
Every dinner we do for Hope Lodge is a magical event for both the patients and our own Team CMMD members. We break into three teams: a team to prep the day before, a team to go to Hope Lodge and cook and serve dinner, and a team of volunteers to help by donating the food we will need to feed up to 80 guests. The next Hope Lodge dinner will be July 12th and is entitled “Team CMMD Backyard Barbecue.” We are still taking in donations! Sign up here.
Stay up to date on planning for future dinners by joining the Hope Lodge volunteers Facebook page.
THANK YOU!
Melissa Shelton, Team CMMD Teammate and Hope Lodge coordinator