The American Cancer Society announced today that it has joined forces with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Utah chapter to build a Hope Lodge in Utah, kicking off with a $20,000 donation from AGC and its members.

The Hope Lodge, which will be located at 100 S. and 400 E. in downtown Salt Lake City, will serve residents from rural Utah and the Intermountain West who travel to Salt Lake to receive care at its premier cancer treatment centers. The Hope Lodge fundraising campaign is an $18 million venture, and upon completion, the Lodge will provide 41 suites for cancer patients and their caregivers to stay free of charge while undergoing treatment.

"Cancer is a disease that affects almost everyone in some way," said Mark Green, President and CEO of M.C. Green & Sons, Inc. "That is why we are passionate about helping to build the Hope Lodge and giving hope a home right here in Salt Lake. In addition to our donation, we are encouraging our members and the community at large to get involved by making donations or volunteering wherever possible."

AGC of Utah is a proud partner of the Associated General Contractors of America, the leading association for the construction industry. As the largest, and oldest commercial construction trade association, AGC of Utah sets the benchmark by providing business opportunities, education, training, resources, and advocacy for members while advancing sound public policy for the construction industry. In today's complex economic landscape, AGC provides proven services for small to large construction firms to stay competitive and profitable. AGC of Utah has a member base of nearly 450 commercial construction related firms across the state.

"We are grateful for the donation and support of AGC of Utah," said Pam Higginson, Vice President and Hope Lodge Campaign Director for the American Cancer Society Great West Division. "We look forward to working with AGC of Utah and having the support of so many premier contractors as we begin building this unique facility and as we continue moving closer to our goal of bringing a Hope Lodge to Salt Lake City."

Because of the urgent need for a Hope Lodge, the AGC of Utah donation is needed now more than ever. Along with the donation, AGC of Utah will encourage its members to offer their individual support towards Hope Lodge through their own donations.

If you would like to learn more about or donate to the Hope Lodge, visit HopeLodgeUtah.org.

About The American Cancer Society Utah

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About the Associated General Contractors of Utah

The Associated General Contractors of Utah is an independent chapter of the AGC of America. It is an organization of qualified construction contractors and industry-related companies dedicated to skill, integrity, and responsibility. The association provides a full range of services satisfying the needs and concerns of its members, thereby improving the quality of construction and protection of the public interest.

For ACS Hope Lodge
Emilee McConkie, 801-305-1447
emilee@radi8creative.com