Midafternoon last Christmas Eve, Rod Whiting and his wife, Carol, loaded up for one final holiday errand. Their destination: the Hope Lodge on Calhoun Street in historic Charleston, South Carolina. Their mission: to serve a healthy, hearty pasta dinner to the home’s guests and their caregivers.

Operated by the American Cancer Society, Charleston’s Hope Lodge is one of several homes across the country that provide free accommodations and meals to cancer patients and their caregivers traveling out of town for treatment. This year, the Charleston Hope Lodge celebrates its 50th anniversary.

As director of communications and community engagement at HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital in Charleston and chair of the Hope Lodge Ambassador Council, Whiting has been involved with the American Cancer Society in every HCA Healthcare market where he has worked during his 22-year tenure.

From personal experience, Whiting understands the impact Hope Lodge locations have on their guests. “Carol has MS, so that’s always going to be a part of her life as long as she lives,” he says. “But she’s also had two separate bouts of cancer. We were fortunate enough to live close to the hospital where Carol received treatment. For people who must travel, hotel stays and meals are expensive and exhausting for both patients and their support networks.”

When it opened in 1970, the Charleston Hope Lodge became the nation’s first hospital hospitality house, offering cancer patients a free home away from home. Guests are eligible to stay if they live more than 40 miles from their treatment facility and have treatments three or more days in one week.

“We want cancer patients and their caregivers to focus on healing without the added burden of lodging and daily expenses,” says Kelsey Ray, the Charleston home’s general manager. Last year alone, more than 500 Charleston Hope Lodge guests saved nearly $1.5 million in hotel costs.

With 18 rooms, the home can accommodate about 36 guests a night. On average, guests stay a little over two weeks, though the length varies depending on treatment needs.

Located in Charleston’s historic downtown, the lodge sits in a charming, walkable neighborhood. “Nearby Calhoun Street, beautifully preserved homes and centuries-old buildings reflect Charleston’s unique history,” says Ray. “Walking past historic architecture and scenic green spaces provides moments of peace and connection during treatment.”

The lodge’s Volunteer Concierge program offers free admission to many local attractions, including the South Carolina Aquarium, historic house tours and self-guided walking tours. HCA Healthcare also donated a vehicle, which the lodge uses as a guest courtesy shuttle to and from treatments. “It removes another barrier to care for our patients and caregivers,” says Ray.

Volunteers and other community partners, from civic groups and faith organizations to local businesses and nonprofits, create meaningful experiences for guests. “Some host special events, provide wellness activities or donate services that help guests relax and connect with others on similar journeys,” Ray explains. “That creates moments of joy, normalcy and community during an otherwise difficult time.”

On Christmas Eve, as the Whitings prepared to host dinner, they noticed friendships forming among guests and saw the comfort guests offered during transition periods.

“As one family arrives and another family leaves, I heard words of encouragement,” Rod says. “People coming in are unsure of what to expect, but others say, ‘We’ve been there. You’ll be loved and cared for. You’ll be fed well. You don’t have to pay for anything. They’ll be attentive to your needs.’ Those words can only come from someone who’s experienced it. To me, it was very moving.”

For patients receiving cancer treatment far from home, small acts of care can make a difficult experience more manageable. Through its partnership with the American Cancer Society, the HCA Healthcare Foundation is helping Hope Lodge locations create welcoming spaces where guests can access nutritious meals, supportive community and moments of comfort during treatment. HCA Healthcare invested $240,000 to support locations in Charleston; Nashville, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Tampa, Florida.

“When you are undergoing cancer treatments, sessions can last six or eight hours,” says Erin Kelton, director of Community Engagement for Marketing and Corporate Affairs. “Afterward, you want meals that feel good. The last thing most people want is to make their own food. Also, healthy meals can be expensive.”

Volunteers, like Trident Hospital Administrative Director of Oncology Chris Childress and his family, are the heartbeat of the Charleston Hope Lodge, says Ray. “They help keep the lodge clean and safe, lead activities to support guests’ well-being and serve nutritious meals at the end of long days filled with treatments and appointments.”

Volunteers also consider dietary restrictions, such as limiting spices or offering a variety of options to meet guests’ needs.”

Because of HCA Healthcare’s scale, Whiting and his team are in a position to apply successful strategies across multiple locations. Amanda Lawrence, associate vice president of community engagement for HCA Healthcare’s South Atlantic Division, was inspired by an extensive herb garden at the Jacksonville, Florida lodge. “I was so impressed, it was like a sanctuary,” she says.

While Charleston’s Hope Lodge doesn’t have a large exterior footprint, a raised-bed garden is in the works. Whiting met with a regional landscaper to learn more about his expertise in sustainable gardening strategies in small spaces.

“Community partners play a vital role in sustaining the environment of care that allows patients and caregivers to focus on healing,” Ray says.

At the end of each week, the lodge holds a bell-ringing ceremony for guests completing treatment. “It lets them celebrate together and support the people who have become like family throughout their stay,” Ray says. “It’s truly heartwarming to witness the miracles happening every day here.”