The Cancer Society's Lions Lodge is close to the Waikato Regional Cancer Centre and Hamilton central city.
The Lodge provides a relaxing and friendly environment for people to enjoy while undergoing cancer treatment.
Who can stay at Cancer Society's Lions Lodge?
If you are receiving active cancer treatment at the Waikato Regional Cancer Centre at Waikato Hospital you may be eligible for free accommodation at the Lodge.
If the Lodge is right for you, your specialist will discuss this accommodation option when your treatment is being planned.
We may be able to provide accommodation for your support person but we do have a limited number of twin rooms available.
Costs
There is no charge for accommodation or meals at the Cancer Society's Lions Lodge while you are undergoing treatment at the Waikato Regional Cancer Centre.
Treatment and support
- The Lodge provides a free shuttle to take guests to and from their treatment and appointments at the hospital. You can also walk to treatment or take your own transport.
- While you are responsible for managing your own medication, a daily prescription service is available so you can order new or repeat medication to be delivered directly to you at the Lodge.
- There is a Cancer Society person at the Lodge overnight but no nursing care.
Check in and check out times
- Cancer Society's Lions Lodge facilities are open from 8:00am Monday to 12:00pm Friday.
- The Cancer Society's Lions Lodge is closed over the weekend. If you are returning the following week you are welcome to leave your belongings in your room.
- Tairāwhiti/Gisborne guests are welcome to stay the weekend in one of our weekend rooms. All weekend rooms are twin rooms.
Rooms
- All single rooms at the Lodge are king-single ensuite bedrooms which contain a wardrobe unit, a comfortable chair, and tea and coffee making facilities.
- There are also several twin rooms available for people who need a support person.
- Weekend accommodation is available for guests from the Tairāwhiti region.
Meals
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Delicious, nutritious meals are provided for guests in the shared dining room. We can cater to your dietary needs, including soft diets. We will call you before your stay to discuss your dietary needs.
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There are kitchen facilities available for those staying in our weekend rooms to prepare meals as we do not cater meals over the weekend. Alternatively, we have frozen meals available for weekend guests.
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Tea and coffee making facilities are available at all times, and there is often fresh, homemade baking available in the dining area
- Mealtimes:
- Breakfast 6:30am - 8:30am (breakfast is not provided on Mondays).
- Lunch 12:00 - 12:45pm (lunch is not provided on Fridays).
- Dinner 5:45 pm - if you can't make this time but still would like a meal, enter your details under "save dinner" in the kitchen diary. If you don't want dinner, also let us know in the diary.
Laundry
- Laundry facilities are available at a small charge.
Parking
- On-site parking is available for guests at the front and rear of the Lodge.
The units at the Cancer Society's Lions Lodge provide accommodation for people from Tairawhiti District Health Board who are having treatment for cancer at the Waikato Regional Cancer Centre in Hamilton.
There are five motel style units available at the Lodge, seven days a week, with separate outdoor access. Each unit can sleep two people so you can have a support person on-site throughout your cancer treatment.
Meals
- The units are fitted with small kitchens which include a jug, fridge, toaster, microwave, pots and pans, crockery, cutlery and utensils so that guests can self-cater.
- An evening meal is provided for each guest and support person Monday to Thursday.
- We also provide access to a range of frozen meals at cost price.
Entertainment
- Each of the units has access to television and WiFi.
Transport and parking
- The Lodge provides a free shuttle to take guests to and from their treatment and appointments at the hospital. Alternatively, you are welcome to walk to treatment or take your own transport.
- On-site parking is available for guests at the rear of the Lodge.
Prescription service
- While you are responsible for managing your own medication, a daily prescription service is available so you can order new or repeat medication to be delivered directly to you at the Lodge.
Linen
- Patients staying at the Lodge usually provide their own linen. However, to avoid excess baggage if you are travelling from Gisborne by air, you have the option of using linen provided by Tairawhiti District Health Board. Lodge staff will discuss this with you by phone prior to your travel.
Laundry
Washing machines and dryers are available for guests staying in the units.
Support and activities
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society can provide a range of free practical assistance and supportive care services during your stay, including:
- experienced cancer liaison nurses who can provide practical advice, support, information and can connect you to other community services
- emotional support and access to counselling services
- support groups and cancer information programmes
- personalised exercise programmes to aid treatment and recovery
- therapeutic massage to ease the physical side effects of cancer treatment.
Are the Lodge units right for you?
If the Lodge units sound right to you, please discuss this with your oncologist when your treatment is being planned. If you would like to bring a support person to stay with you during your treatment, please let the Lodge manager know.
For more information about staying at the Cancer Society's Lions Lodge's units contact us.
Address and phone number
| Contact details | |
| Address | 32 Tainui St (and corner Lake Road), Hamilton 3204 |
| Phone number | (07) 834 2351 |
| lodgereception@cancersociety.org.nz |
What to bring for your stay
You will need to bring:
- toiletries.
- clothing for one week, including suitable indoor footwear or slippers.
- personal items.
- sheets and pillowcases - king single or double.
- bathmats, towels and a facecloth.
- anything else you need to make your stay more comfortable, such as a laptop, tablet or e-reader - WiFi is available in the rooms and public areas.
- If you have particular medical requirements, such as personal oxygen, please discuss this with us before your stay.
The Lions Cancer Lodge - 1971 to 2011
The idea of building special accommodation for radiotherapy patients was first proposed in 1965 by Eric Grocott, secretary of the former Waikato Division of the Cancer Society.
A year later Lloyd Fraser of the Hamilton Lions Club initiated the project and Lions Clubs of District 202C gave their commitment to raising funds for it.
The first stage, completed in February 1971, consisted of public rooms and 14 bedrooms. The Lions responded again in 1974 when expansion was needed. A committee, led by Hori Carter of Whakatane, held a telephone appeal and more than double the funds needed to add a new 15 bedroom wing were raised in one night. At the opening of the new wing in June 1976, the keys to the building were presented to the Cancer Society.
Years later, for a third time, the Lions Clubs from Districts 202C, 202I and part of 202A rallied behind the fundraising effort for an extension to the building, this time under leadership of a past District Governor, Mr Bruce Hooker. At the opening ceremony on November 14, 1995, the building was named the Lions Cancer Lodge in recognition of the magnificent part played by Lions Clubs in its development.
The new Cancer Society's Lions Lodge - Opened February 2011
In 2008 and in response to the increasing need for accommodation, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society bought the old Braemar Hospital site on Lake Road to turn into the new Cancer Society's Lions Lodge. The original Lions Cancer Lodge was bought by the Waikato District Health Board (WDHB) in 2009 due to an increasing demand for their services and a need to expand.
Construction on the new Cancer Society's Lions Lodge began in January 2010 and the facility was officially opened on February 26, 2011 by the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor-General of New Zealand. Annually, the Lodge provides free accommodation, meals and support to around 700 people while they undergo treatment for cancer.
Continuing a relationship established nearly four decades ago, local Lions Clubs continue their support of the Lodge. Over 90 Lions Clubs across the district continue to carry out fundraising activities to support the construction of the Lodge and the on-going running costs.
We know that going through cancer is tough and can raise many questions. You are not alone.
We have nurses and counsellors to answer your questions and provide the support you need.
Get in touch