KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For many this is the time of year when families come together, food is abundant, and home is where everyone seems to want to go. But for some, going home isn’t an option.
So they’ll settle for hope away from home.
Patrick and Stacy Garlock look forward to their annual Christmas traditions in Topeka with their family.
“Every Christmas is the same. We have a family get together on Christmas Eve, and kind of a party, and then Christmas morning has always been with our family,” said Patrick.
This year, there’s a tree with shiny ornaments and the stockings are hung, but the Garlocks will be at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in downtown Kansas City.
“Without this place, I don’t know what we would do,” Patrick said, shaking his head.
In September, Stacy was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, and she nearly died, but months later she’s slowly recovering.
“She’s my miracle wife,” Patrick said.
The Garlocks are calling the Hope Lodge home because Stacy received a life-saving stem cell transplant and she can’t be far from the hospital in Kansas City for 100 days.
“Those first 100 days are pivotal,” Patrick said.
The Hope Lodge gives adults with cancer a free place to stay while receiving treatment.
“We like to make this a home away from home,” said Director, Danica Cherry.
The goal of the Hope Lodge is to take away the burden on families who have to travel form cancer treatment.
“We like to keep their mind off of things when they come home from treatment,” Cherry said.
The Garlocks say the Hope Lodge is the closest thing to home, but they still look forward to Christmases of the future.
“Next year will be a better year,” Stacy said.
But their Christmas at the Hope Lodge will always be memorable, for there’s no place like hope.
The Garlocks have two adult children who take turns with Patrick to care for Stacy, they’ll be at the Hope Lodge for Christmas.
To help the Hope Lodge continue to help people like the Garlocks, follow this link to the Hope Lodge’s Christmas Wish List: