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

J O S E P H S . & J E A N N E T T E M . S I l B E R H O P E l O D G E

In this issueHope lodge Welcomes South American Guests 1

Pan Ohio Hope Ride 2

Welcome, Tracy Michael 3

Holiday Wish list 3

Manager’s Corner 3

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 4

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South American Guests continued on page 2

Hope lodge Welcomes South America Guests To say that Moira and Jose Cristofano are grateful to have found the Hope Lodge is truly an understatement. They have journeyed so far, from Uruguay to be exact, to receive the best treatment for Jose. He is battling squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of cancer of the tongue.

Their cancer story began in October of 2010, when Jose found a small ulcer-type bump on his tongue. The doctors in their country performed a biopsy and diagnosed him with cancer. In November, Jose and Moira traveled to Argentina because in Uruguay he was unable to get a much needed PET scan. After having the test, Jose and Moira traveled back to Uruguay for his first surgery. Following the surgery, Jose endured three weeks of radiation.

In the spring of 2011, Jose started to feel sick again.

“We have family, an uncle, aunt, and four cousins who live in Washington, DC and they knew about cancer treatment centers in the States,” said Moira. “They kept asking us to come here to get help.”

Jose went through another surgery in Uruguay in August of 2011. In October they decided to take the advice of their family and travel to the United States for treatment.

“From the moment we came here, we have had so much support from our family in Washington who helped us get here financially and have done everything that they can to help us through this difficult time,” said Moira.

On November 15, 2011, Jose had a 12-hour surgery that included removing most of his tongue and restructuring it by using muscle from his leg. He was unable to swallow or talk because of the surgery, but since then, he has shown much improvement and the doctors believe they will be able to take his tracheostomy tube out after his treatments.

“He told me that he didn’t mind if he couldn’t talk, but he wants to eat,” Moira laughed. She explained that her husband is of Italian descent and likes to cook pasta and eat family meals together. “The doctor told him that he could if he works. I think when he finishes radiation then he will work on his speech and have food again.”

Moira and Jose Cristafano traveled from South American for Jose’s treatment and felt fortunate to be guests at Hope Lodge.

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It wasn’t until December that Moira and Jose learned of the Hope Lodge. “We were staying in a guest house and it was hard for us there. My family in Washington asked the doctors if we could come back there to finish treatments, but they thought we should stay here because the doctors knew him here,” said Moira.

“So the doctor asked, ‘Why are you not staying at the Hope Lodge?’ We got there on December 23. It has been very nice and we feel at home,” said Moira.

“We have three children who are in Uruguay. They are 25, 22, and 17. We talk on Skype all of the time and my oldest son was afraid that we were alone,” she said. “I told him that we are not alone. It is like family here and that really made him feel better. We worry about them, but they want us to stay here until he is better.”

“I am taking back books to my country to tell them about this place and I am going to take books to my family in Washington to let them know. It is a very, very nice place to be together. We have music and the dinners that go on to make the days [easier],” she said.

After Jose finishes his treatment they are going back home to Uruguay. “Many people are helping us with this difficult thing in our life. Many people are doing things in the Hope Lodge. Our family in Washington were the ones that kept telling us to come here and supported us,” she said. “Many people are around us that love my husband that are helping us in Uruguay with our children and our jobs. We are so grateful.”

If you or your loved one is fighting cancer and would like to know more about the Hope Lodge, you can call the American Cancer Society any time, day or night at 1.800.227.2345 or visit cancer.org/hopelodge.

Moira and Jose’s children: (L-R) Diego, Florencia, Kila (the dog) and Paula.

South American Guests continued from page 1Pan Ohio Hope Ride

The 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 CornerGreetings from Hope Lodge!The Joseph S. & Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge benefitted from many helping hands this past holiday season. The pantry is well-stocked from several Relay For Life® donation drives that took place throughout Ohio. Students from Colleges Against Cancer, which includes the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Kent State University, Case Western Reserve University, Akron University, and Ohio State University, donated their time and talents by performing music, karaoke, bingo games, sponsorship of meals, and decorating Hope Lodge for the holidays. Community members and groups such as Progeny, Joanie Kaufman, Holy Rosary, and Church of the Covenant shared musical activities and the sponsorship of guest meals. Sanofi Oncology provided an evening of fellowship with the guests by leading activities such as bingo, ornament decorating, and the sponsorship of a meal. These activities fostered a caring and supportive environment while the guests undergo treatment in Cleveland away from their homes.

The Gunn Foundation supplied funding for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day meals and gift bags for guests who remained in treatment during the holidays. We look forward to the Gunn Foundation support with the remodeling of the guest room bathrooms that will take place this spring.

The Hope Lodge has started a program with the local Starbucks to receive baked goods throughout the week. Soon University Hospitals will be donating meals through its food sustainability program. The Hope Lodge has become a participating member of the Cleveland Food Bank, which will be providing donated foods to the Hope Lodge pantry and to the guests who are in need.

Thank you to the companies and volunteers for your support.

Cristina Williams Manager, Joseph S. & Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge

You can contact Cristina at cristina.williams@cancer.org or by calling 1.888.227.6446 ext. 1900.

Wish List• Grocery store gift cards for potluck (Giant Eagle, Wal-Mart, Target,)* • Whole chickens, hams, beef roast, pork loin, bulk ground beef or turkey for potluck dinners* • Microwaveable shelf-stable meals* • Paper towels • Pots/pans • Cake and brownie mixes • Canisters of coffee, decaf and regular • Disposable cups • Dishwasher detergent • Dryer sheets • Color-safe bleach (i.e. Clorox 2) • Laundry baskets • Plastic clothing hangers • Toilet tissue • DVD movies – new releases • Copy machine paper for the printers • 409 cleanerItems denoted with an asterisk* are most needed.

Items may be shipped or delivered to: American Cancer Society Cleveland Hope Lodge, 11432 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106

Hope Lodge welcomes Tracy Michael as the new assistant manager.

Welcome, Tracy MichaelNew Hope Lodge Assistant Manager Tracy Michael comes to the Joseph S. & Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge from Sanborn Western Camps in Colorado where she worked as the camp coordinator. “It’s a private camp with backpack trips, mountain climbing, canoe riding, hikes, horseback riding,” said Tracy.

Being a camp coordinator was nice, but Tracy wanted to do something more. She was looking to work in nonprofit or in health care when she came across the position at the Hope Lodge. “I was ecstatic when I got the call for the assistant management

position,” said Tracy. “I was immediately impressed by the building when I came in for my tour. It’s amazing!”

Tracy is no stranger to Cleveland; she graduated from Cleveland State and currently resides in Brecksville, Ohio, about 20 miles south of downtown Cleveland. As the assistant manager, Tracy takes care of guest needs and makes sure they feel at home while staying at the Hope Lodge.

“Everyone is so nice. The guests that I have met since I have been here have been wonderful,” said Tracy. “I have loved the conversations that I have had with guests so far. Everyone has been so receptive.”

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 Joseph S. & Jeannette M. Silber 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.