American Cancer Society Hope Lodge—Buffalo
Find Us On: 
197 Summer Street
Buffalo, New York
800-227-2345 or 716-882-9244
Staying With Us
Eligibility Requirements
The Hope Lodge Buffalo is available for adults receiving outpatient cancer treatment who live more than 50 miles away from their treatment center in the Buffalo area. Eligible guests may also have one to two caregivers stay with them at the Lodge.
Additional Requirements:
- Over 18 years of age (exceptions are granted on a case by case basis)
- Are ambulatory and able to care for themselves and prepare their meals (or do so with the assistance of a caregiver)
- Provide written confirmation from a physician that they are free of infectious or communicable diseases
- Agree to sign a Guest Agreement and Release of Liability and abide by the Hope Lodge Buffalo Rules
- Patients and caregivers may be admitted to the Lodge no sooner than one day prior to treatment initiation and must vacate the Lodge no later than 24 hours following completion of treatment
- Priority will be given to patients staying a minimum of three nights (exceptions are granted on a case by case basis)
- Lodging may continue uninterrupted as long as patients receive a minimum of three cancer treatments or appointments per week
- There is no limit on maximum length or numbers of stays provided that the patient continues to meet all eligibility requirements
- Have a permanent residence and will share a copy of a driver's license or other proof of residence upon arrival
Admission Process
To stay at the Hope Lodge Buffalo, you must have a properly completed, written referral signed by a physician, social worker or other healthcare professional. The referral must state the treatment type, frequency and the projected start and end dates.
It is advisable to initiate the referral process well in advance of the first date of treatment, as patients are accepted and processed on a first come, first served basis.
What to Bring
The Hope Lodge Buffalo provides guests with the essentials: bath towels, blankets, sheets, pillows, laundry detergent, dishes, utensils, etc.
However, you will need to bring:
- Food for your meals (upon check-in, you will be provided with cupboard and refrigerator space)
- Personal products (shampoo, razors, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.)
To make the Hope Lodge Buffalo feel more like a "home away from home," many guests will bring the following with them for their stay:
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Favorite towel
- Items to personalize your room (pictures of loved ones, stuffed animals, etc.)
For Caregivers: Please visit our special section for Caregivers on cancer.org
The Hope Lodge Buffalo provides guests with a room, bathroom, community kitchen and dining area and laundry facilities. The Lodge also offers guests free transportation to and from the Buffalo-area treatment centers.
The Hope Lodge Buffalo offers programs to help patients, families and caregivers learn how to manage the physical, emotional and practical challenges cancer brings.
The following are some of the programs available. Unless otherwise stated, all programs are offered at no cost.
Patient & Caregiver Support
We strongly encourage patients, family members and their caregivers to access additional cancer information through the Society's toll free number: 1-800-227-2345 and our American Cancer Society Web site.
Community-hosted Dinners
From time to time volunteer groups provide dinners for all Hope Lodge guests. This program is a way for people in the Western New York community to give back, as well as to provide an opportunity for our guests to meet new friends and gain support from others in the lodge. The Lodge staff will let guests know when these dinner take place.
Look Good...Feel Better (for women only)
Learn how to overcome the physical side effects of cancer treatment. A professional cosmetologist will show you how to enhance your appearance with make-up lessons, skin care and wigs and scarves. Programs are held at a local cancer center where many Hope Lodge guests receive treatment. Program dates and times are available from the Lodge director.
Mary's Room (for women only)
Mary's Room is the wig room located in the Society's Western New York Regional office. Women undergoing active cancer treatment are eligible for a one-time free wig. Patients must make an appointment and can be done through the Hope Lodge director.
