Why We Give: American Cancer Society

#whywegive initiative. KSTP supports a variety of charities throughout the year by running Public Service Announcements and airing the amazing stories demonstrating the impact that these organizations have in our community.

The Details

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS works with the American Cancer Society (ACS), which supports people with cancer and their families through the Hope Lodge in Minneapolis. As reporter Brett Hoffland shares, through the lodge, ACS offers free lodging to patients and caregivers who live at least an hour away from the treatment facility.

“I started volunteering here and kind of fell in love with it,” said Natalie Haight.

Haight has volunteered at the lodge since she was a student at the University of Minnesota. Now a nurse, she said she enjoys hearing people’s stories and connecting with patients and families.

“I want to help people because this has been a community that’s even helped my loved ones,” Haight said.

“Some people go for treatment and they actually can’t afford to stay close enough to the hospital to get the treatment,” said Anthony Bass, the senior executive director for ACS Minnesota.

That’s where the Hope Lodge comes in.

Bass said the lodge will celebrate 20 years in 2027. Over that time, it has provided 113,000 free nights and saved patients more than $13 million.

Donations from viewers like you help fund cancer research and operations at the lodge.

“The bills start escalating pretty quickly. When someone knows they have a place to stay it is a burden lifted off of their shoulders,” said Bass.

Haight, meanwhile, says the people she meets there continue to inspire her.

That’s why we give. What’s your cause?