UChicago Medicine, American Cancer Society partner to build no-cost lodging for traveling cancer patients

Patients traveling long distances to the University of Chicago Medicine for cancer treatment will soon have a new place to stay close to its anchor hospital on the city’s South Side, as part of a partnership with the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society plans to build Hope Lodge Chicago, a facility at 5700 S. Stony Island Ave., that will provide free accommodations for cancer patients and their caregivers who travel to Chicago for treatment.

The project is being developed through a partnership between the American Cancer Society and community partners, with UChicago Medicine serving as the primary partner. The University of Chicago will provide the property through a long-term lease, and the medical center will contribute funds toward construction.

Hope Lodge Chicago will be located about one mile from UChicago Medicine's new AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion, a 575,000-square-foot cancer facility scheduled to open in April 2027.

Together, the projects will expand not only the physical capacity of UChicago Medicine's cancer program but also the support available to patients who travel from across Illinois, the Midwest and beyond to receive specialized cancer care.

"Exceptional cancer care should be within reach for every patient who needs it,” said Tom Jackiewicz, president of the University of Chicago Health System. “Hope Lodge Chicago will help make it easier for patients to travel to Chicago for care, while giving them the opportunity to remain close to the people who support them most. It is an important addition to the investments we are making to expand access to UChicago Medicine’s cancer care.”

For UChicago Medicine, the need is particularly significant as its cancer program continues to care for patients from throughout the region and across the country, including people seeking specialized treatments and access to leading-edge clinical trials.

“Cancer care is increasingly complex, and patients often need to travel to academic medical centers to access specialized expertise, advanced therapies and clinical trials,” said Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, director of the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. “For patients and families already navigating the physical and emotional challenges of cancer, the cost and logistics of traveling for treatment can become another burden. Hope Lodge Chicago will help address that burden and allow patients to focus more fully on their care.”

Supporting patients beyond the hospital

In addition to guest accommodations, Hope Lodge Chicago will include a Cancer Wellness Hub offering programs and services for patients, caregivers and members of the South Side community.

The hub will focus on areas such as physical activity, nutrition, social connection and stress management. Activities will be offered through the American Cancer Society's ACS EMPOWER program, which provides education and supportive services to help people manage the transition from cancer treatment to survivorship.

Hope Lodge Chicago will be the American Cancer Society's 32nd Hope Lodge. The organization currently operates 31 other locations across the United States and Puerto Rico.

About the AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion

Opening in April 2027, the seven-story AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion will be Illinois’ first freestanding facility dedicated to cancer care and research.

Located on UChicago Medicine’s Hyde Park campus, the pavilion will bring inpatient and outpatient cancer care, clinical trials, advanced imaging and supportive services together under one roof.

Key features will include 80 private inpatient rooms, 67 private infusion bays, dedicated clinical trial space, advanced imaging, a rapid assessment clinic for immunocompromised patients, and patient- and family-centered technology and amenities.

The pavilion also will be home to one of two locations of the UChicago Medicine Ralph Lauren Center, which will offer cancer prevention, screening, treatment and other supportive services. The other site will be at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, which will open later in 2026.