By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – Due to the vast area that the Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) main campus serves, cancer patients often travel hours to receive treatment there. The drive can not only cause financial strain, but can place detrimental physical strain on the patient during treatment.

Since the American Cancer Society closed the Hope Lodge in Marshfield, many patients face uncertainty during this time. The Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation is working to establish an emergency lodging fund to aid with the situation created by the closing.

“We are truly grateful for the community’s amazing response as we pull together to provide care to families on a cancer journey,” MCHS Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Teri Wilczek said. “With the American Cancer Society’s abrupt closing of the Hope Lodge, we are working quickly to find alternate housing for our cancer patients. MCHS will be updating a facility on Western Avenue, the former House of the Dove hospice home, that we are calling Cattails Cottage.  Cattails Cottage will provide a comfortable, safe place for patients traveling to Marshfield for cancer care.”

Organizers say that using the former House of the Dove site, at 613 Western Street, comes with several benefits: the clinic system already owns the home, it is situated on the clinic’s main campus, and it is equipped with an elevator.

The building has 11 bedrooms and four bathrooms, two kitchens, a laundry room, and a deck.

“Unfortunately it needs a lot of work to make it a clean, safe and comfortable home away from home for our patients,” Wilczek added. “Until last week, the location was being used by medical students and interns.  We are currently clearing everything out, ripping out the flooring, tearing down wall paper and preparing for a fresh and updated look.  We are relying on donor support to provide new flooring, appliances, furniture, beds, mattresses, bedding along with replacing everything in the kitchens, bathrooms and beyond.”

The Foundation is looking for support in providing the space for patients, including: refurbishing the new cancer lodging space with new flooring, furniture, TVs, etc… and supporting a house manager to assist the families five days a week.

There are many ways the community can assist: by making a financial donation for renovation needs, more information at https://marshfieldclinic.org/giving/cancer-patient-lodging; purchasing items from the Cattails Cottage charity register at http://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/CattailsCottage, which can be shipped to the facility; volunteering to assist with renovations, more information at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0845A8AB2DA64-cancer; or providing items from the wish list.

Wish list items include: dishwasher tablets, dish soap, Ziplock bag, Saran wrap, aluminum foil, K cups, hot chocolate, tea, granola bars, oatmeal, toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towel, napkins, paper plates, plastic utensils, liquid laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bleach, anti-bacterial wipes, garbage bags, cleaning products, postage stamps, batteries, first aid supplies, and gift cards.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/MarshfieldClinicHealthSystemFoundation or call 800-858-5220.

The Foundation plans to have the facilities in operation by Sept. 1.