American Cancer Society Opened Expanded Baltimore Lodge
The new 34-room facility provides free lodging for cancer patients traveling for treatment.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Cancer
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On June 3, 2026, the American Cancer Society opened an expanded Hope Lodge in Baltimore at 635 W. Lexington Street. The new facility includes 34 guest rooms, featuring 10 specialized suites for immunocompromised patients.
Why it matters
The expansion aims to eliminate financial barriers to care by providing free lodging to patients who live at least one hour from their treatment site. The new building replaces a smaller 26-room facility that frequently required a waiting list for guests.
The new facility was funded by a $10 million capital campaign and features 34 total rooms, up from 26 in the previous building. The University of Maryland, Baltimore leases the property to the American Cancer Society for $1 per year.
The players
American Cancer Society
This is a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer through research, education, and patient support.
University of Maryland, Baltimore
This is a public university that focuses on professional and graduate studies in health, law, and human services.
The details
The facility supports patients by providing lodging alongside their designated caregiver during their treatment period. Designed to improve accessibility, the site includes 10 suites specifically tailored for the needs of immunocompromised individuals.
Timeline
The original Hope Lodge opened in Baltimore in 1987.
In 2025, the lodge provided 12,000 free night stays to 531 guests.
The new expanded Hope Lodge opened on June 3, 2026.
The American Cancer Society celebrated the new facility on September 23, 2026.
Health Landscape
This project follows the established model of the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge network, which currently operates 31 such free lodge communities nationwide. The expansion reflects a broader trend of large health organizations investing in non-clinical support infrastructure to improve treatment outcomes.
Patients living at least one hour away from their treatment site can apply to stay at the facility for free, which includes space for one caregiver. By removing the cost of accommodation, the lodge helps patients maintain consistent treatment schedules without the financial strain of hotel expenses.
The takeaway
Access to local lodging remains a critical component of successful cancer treatment outcomes for traveling patients. The addition of immunocompromised suites allows the facility to safely accommodate a wider range of high-need individuals.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services in our Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBFF.
Live Poll
Should local organizations prioritize funding free housing for patients traveling long distances for medical care?
