For Hub City Times  

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield Clinic Health System is now welcoming patients to Cattails Cottage, a home on the Marshfield Medical Center campus in Marshfield for oncology patients to stay while undergoing cancer treatments.

Cattails Cottage is a place where adult patients and their caregivers can find supportive accommodations when traveling for cancer care. Patients must live more than 40 miles from Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield and have a referral from their provider.

“We understand that a cancer journey brings a lot of challenges and stress and for our patients that have to travel; we’re really pleased to be able to offer them safe housing,” Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Teri Wilczek said. “Our goal was to make this a cozy comfortable space for patients where they could feel like this was their home away from home.”

Cattails Cottage features 11 private rooms and shared community areas, two fully-equipped kitchens with family dining room, on-site laundry, handicap accessible areas with elevator, internet access, library nook and on-site staff and volunteers to help answer questions. The home has easy access to the hospital and clinic and its treatment health care and support services.

“The entire project was donor funded with many local residents, businesses, and Marshfield Clinic Health System employees helping with fundraising, fulfilling wish list supplies, donating items, and transforming a home formerly used to housing medical students,” a MCHS release said.

Since the American Cancer Society closed the Hope Lodge in Marshfield this summer, many patients faced uncertainty. The Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation established an emergency lodging fund to aid with the situation created by the closing, until Cattails could be established.

“When other resources in Marshfield abruptly closed, we needed to find a way to support our patients who travel from as far away as Eau Claire, Rice Lake, Minocqua and even the Upper Peninsula for cancer care,” Marshfield Clinic Health System CEO Dr. Susan Turney said. “Our whole community – concerned residents, community leaders and local businesses – came together to make Cattails Cottage possible. They did this during a pandemic and in about two months’ time. We’re extremely proud of this project and the depth of support we receive from our communities.”

To learn more about Cattails Cottage, visit www.marshfieldclinic.org/CattailsCottage.