HCA Healthcare Foundation Awards $40,000 to Salt Lake City ACS Hope Lodge
Salt Lake City, UT — HCA Healthcare’s Mountain Division – as part of HCA Healthcare and known locally and across Utah as MountainStar Healthcare—recently announced a $40,000 grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation to support the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge serving cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers in Salt Lake City. The local grant is part of a $240,000 commitment to support Hope Lodge locations in six HCA Healthcare markets, including Charleston, Nashville, Houston, Kansas City, and Tampa.
For many patients, cancer treatment can require traveling far from home, adding financial and emotional strain to an already difficult journey. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 200,000 people travel 40 miles or more each year to receive the cancer treatment they need — a number that continues to grow. The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge helps ease that burden by providing free lodging and supportive community spaces for patients receiving cancer treatment and their caregivers. Through this grant, the HCA Healthcare Foundation aims to strengthen the Hope Lodge by helping to provide nutritious meals, food security resources and volunteer-led engagement.
“Improving access to care means supporting patients beyond their clinical treatment,” said Evan Ray, president of HCA Healthcare’s Mountain Division. “This donation helps provide critical support and a sense of community for patients and families during an incredibly challenging time.”
Access to nutritious food is an essential part of cancer treatment and recovery. Nearly one in five cancer patients experience difficulty affording basic needs such as food, transportation and lodging during treatment. For patients traveling for care, these challenges can impact energy levels, treatment adherence and overall recovery.
Through this grant, Hope Lodge guests in Salt Lake City will benefit from expanded access to nutritious meals, food security resources and supportive programming for guests.
“We are truly honored to receive this generous grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation. With this funding, we’ll be able to ensure sustenance and security as we fight together to eliminate cancer as we know it for everyone,” said Aimee Frost, general manager of the Hope Lodge of Salt Lake City. “We look forward to welcoming HCA Healthcare colleague into the Hope Lodge to serve dinner to our guests and their caregivers throughout the year as a part of our Meals of Hope program.”
This gift builds on decades of partnership with the HCA Healthcare Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing health and well-being. Beyond philanthropic support, HCA Healthcare colleagues contribute their time, leadership and resources through board service, volunteerism and personal giving, strengthened by HCA Healthcare gift matching.
HCA Healthcare is deeply committed to supporting cancer patients and advancing oncology care across its network of care. Through the HCA Healthcare Foundation, more than $242 million has been contributed since 1998 to health and well-being initiatives, including cancer care and community support programs.