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10001 North 92nd Street, Suite 121 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-4530
February 6, 2010
The Phoenician Grand Ballroom Register online at www.shc.org/foundation/honorballinfo
Gift of Life Lodging Provides
Home-Away-From-Home for Cancer Patients Can anything good come from cancer? For Delores “Del” Lofton a Florida Keys resident, the answer is a resounding “yes!” That response would probably surprise most people that is until you meet Del. Her story, like her outlook on life is amazing. Del was first diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) some twenty years ago. The mother of four has fought hard all these years undergoing chemotherapy and a multitude of treatments. The cancer has taken her eyesight, yet she continues her quest to find her cure. A little over a year ago, Del received a phone call from her physician that would change the course in her fight. “He was so excited,” she says. “He had just come back from a conference where he heard about a clinical trial for basal cell carcinoma. I figured ‘why not?’ We’ve tried everything and I have nowhere else to go for treatment.” She soon found herself at Scottsdale Healthcare’s Clinical Research Institute (SCRI) at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center. An eager clinical trial participant, Del quickly discovered that she would need to make frequent visits to SCRI. The traveling took a toll on her; however,
Del found that the comforts of home were not that far away. Thanks to generous donors, she had help along the way through the Gift of Life Lodging program. Created by Country Inn & Suites and the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, the Gift of Life Lodging provides a complimentary stay for patients in need. Many like Del travel long distances to receive treatment at SCRI.
Del admits she has learned a lot in her journey. Through her strong faith, and circle of family and friends, she is an inspiration to many. “In these hard times, people are looking for hope and love. I am blessed, that through my suffering I have found both.” n
In essence, Del has found that the program has been a lifeline. “Being able to stay at Country Inn & Suites just across the street from the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center has been wonderful,” she says. “It is so convenient and the people treat you like family. This means a lot when you’re far from home and participating in a clinical trial.” “Gift of Life Lodging is a tremendous way to help those in their fight against cancer. Before we were able to offer this program, many of our patients had a difficult time finding accommodations to meet their needs,” said Joanne Gain, vice president of major gifts for Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation.
Linda Britton an d Del Lofton receiv Scottsdale Country e a warm welcome at the Inn & Suites.