Stories

Hope Lodge Guest Becomes Dedicated Volunteer

Kathy Lawhorn has special motivation for volunteering at the Cincinnati Hope Lodge. When she walks through its doors she's always reminded of how the Joseph S. & Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge in Cleveland played such a big role in her recovery from cancer six years ago.

"It made all the difference in the world," she said. "I don't know if we could have made it in Cleveland without the Hope Lodge."

Over the course of several visits to the Cleveland Clinic, she made many friends at the lodge.

"The camaraderie of the guests was comforting. I could always see that there were others who had it tougher than I did, so I never felt sorry for myself."

Soon after she returned to Cincinnati, Kathy heard about a Hope Lodge opening there, too – "I was dancing on the ceiling" – and wound up cutting the ribbon at its grand opening. Now she volunteers every Wednesday, doing everything from cleaning rooms to organizing the upcoming luncheon for hospital chaplains.

"The Hope Lodge just has a special place in my heart. I'm trying to give back what I received from the Cleveland lodge, but no amount of money could ever pay back what the American Cancer Society gave to me up there."