For patients from out-of-town, there are many places to stay for either a short or a long stay; Gainesville offers a wide variety of hotels, motels and bed & breakfast inns. Please contact us for a current listing of lodgings that offer discounts to our Shands patients. Some also offer shuttle service to our facility for your convenience. You can also visit the Alachua County Visitors Bureau online at www.VisitGainesville.com for a listing of hotels.

If you plan to stay overnight in Gainesville, we suggest that you make a reservation beforehand if possible. Many sports events and conventions take place in Gainesville so some hotels are frequently booked up.

The Hope Lodge

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Hope Lodge offers free home-style accommodations for patients (and one adult family member or friend) undergoing daily cancer treatment in Gainesville.

To stay at the Hope Lodge residents must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Undergoing active, daily, out-patient treatment at a Gainesville area cancer center
• Be independent, ambulatory (able to walk), and able to meet personal and nutritional needs or have a companion to assist in their care
• Must take a tour of the Lodge and register in person
• Require a minimum of three nights of lodging

Patients are responsible for their own general housekeeping, laundry, and meals while staying at the Hope Lodge. The Hope Lodge does not provide medical care or treatment.

Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and, on occasion, there may be a waiting list to stay at the Hope Lodge. If there is not a room available when you are scheduled to start treatment, please contact the social worker and she can assist you in finding affordable lodging until a room is open.

Ronald McDonald House

Sponsored by McDonald’s restaurants, the Ronald McDonald House offers temporary housing for families while a child is undergoing cancer treatment or other kinds of major therapy in Gainesville. The cost is $10 per day, although this is sometimes waived.

You must register ahead of time to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. There may be a waiting list so you may not be able to stay there immediately. Please contact the social worker and she can assist you with this process.

Financial Arrangements

A financial counselor will meet with you when you are first seen in our department and again as needed to assist you with financial arrangements. Our department is a preferred provider for many insurance plans, and also treats patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid. If you need specific information about charges or insurance coverage before you come to the department, call Yvonne Sturkes at (352) 265-8897. If she cannot answer your specific question, she can refer you to the proper source of information.