News 2 employees are spending Friday giving back to the community by working at a local nonprofit that provides assistance for families of cancer patients. 

Our station, along with all 171 of Nexstar’s TV stations, is participating in the Nexstar Media Group’s Founder’s Day of Caring Program. The program was created three years ago by CEO Perry Sook, with a mission to inspire viewers to volunteer their time to give back to their communities as well. 

This year, News 2 has partnered with The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. 

Hope Lodge works with families that have to travel far from home to receive cancer treatment. They have 41 private rooms available with full amenities and a round-the-clock staff to provide any service the families might need. The Hope Lodge works to make their facility a comfortable and supportive environment. 

All of the service and lodging from Hope Lodge is free of charge for these families and is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Hope Lodge currently has 30 locations throughout the country. 

“We want it to be a home away from home environment. We want them to feel relaxed while they’re going through this very scary journey,” said Hope Lodge director Michele Ryan. 

Ryan told News 2 the story of a young man that was going to give up fighting the cancer, due to an overwhelming amount of bills from treatment, travel, and lodging.

When Hope Lodge offered him a room he was able to continue to fight.

“He walked out successful and is still doing well,” said Ryan.  

News 2 was there on Friday when one cancer survivor finished her last treatment. She rang a bell to mark the milestone.  

News 2 is at the Nashville location located at 2008 Charlotte Avenue. Employees spent Thursday and Friday serving up breakfast and lunch at the lodge as well as working to deep clean the kitchen facilities. In addition, employees spent time repainting the hallways of the facility. 

Hope Lodge would love to have volunteers help at the front desk, shuttle patients to and from treatment facilities, provide meals, or just spend time entertaining and engaging with guests.

If you are interested in volunteering please email Michele Ryan at Michele.Ryan@cancer.org. 

For more information on Hope Lodge click HERE. 

To check out the other great charities other Nexstar stations are supporting on Founder’s Day of Caring 2018, search #NexstarFoundersDay or #Nexstarcares