June 27, 2025
Danelle K. selects American Cancer Society Hope Lodge for Makana Pono Donation
Danelle K.
Administrative Assistant
Organization:
American Cancer Society’s Clarence T.C. Ching Hope Lodge
Front row (L to R): Maribelle M., Kaitlin H., Cristine E-S., General Manager for Hope Lodge Honolulu; Nyra H., Danelle K., Lauren B., Joyce B., and Riana F. Second row (L to R): Donna S. and Diana N-H.
“I am a cancer survivor,” said Danelle K., an administrative assistant at Islands Hospice. “I know how hard it is to go through treatment, especially when you are a long way from home.”
It is this deeply personal experience that inspired Danelle to select The American Cancer Society’s Clarence T.C. Ching Hope Lodge in Honolulu as the recipient of this quarter’s $5,000 Makana Pono donation. The Hope Lodge provides free lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers who must travel far from home for outpatient treatment. This mission resonated with Danelle, who has supported the organization for about three years.
Danelle’s nomination highlights an urgent health issue that touches many in our state. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is the second leading cause of death in Hawai‘i. Each year, more than 7,000 residents are diagnosed with an invasive form of the disease, and more than 2,000 lose their lives to it. As an island state, Hawai‘i presents unique barriers to care, with many patients forced to travel from neighbor islands or rural communities to Honolulu for treatment. This increases logistical and financial burdens that compound an already difficult journey.
Since opening in 2016, the Honolulu Hope Lodge has offered 20 guest rooms near treatment centers in the area. More than just a place to stay, the facility provides a homelike setting with shared kitchens, dining areas, laundry services, gathering spaces and quiet reflection areas. Volunteers and staff help create a nurturing experience, often preparing meals and offering support around the clock.
It is this deeply personal experience that inspired Danelle to select The American Cancer Society’s Clarence T.C. Ching Hope Lodge in Honolulu as the recipient of this quarter’s $5,000 Makana Pono donation. The Hope Lodge provides free lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers who must travel far from home for outpatient treatment. This mission resonated with Danelle, who has supported the organization for about three years.
Danelle’s nomination highlights an urgent health issue that touches many in our state. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is the second leading cause of death in Hawai‘i. Each year, more than 7,000 residents are diagnosed with an invasive form of the disease, and more than 2,000 lose their lives to it. As an island state, Hawai‘i presents unique barriers to care, with many patients forced to travel from neighbor islands or rural communities to Honolulu for treatment. This increases logistical and financial burdens that compound an already difficult journey.
Since opening in 2016, the Honolulu Hope Lodge has offered 20 guest rooms near treatment centers in the area. More than just a place to stay, the facility provides a homelike setting with shared kitchens, dining areas, laundry services, gathering spaces and quiet reflection areas. Volunteers and staff help create a nurturing experience, often preparing meals and offering support around the clock.
The Hope Lodge provides free lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers who must travel far from home for outpatient treatment. This mission resonated with Danelle, who has supported the organization for about three years.
Hope Lodge is part of a national network of more than 30 facilities across the United States and Puerto Rico. The program began in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, inspired by longtime American Cancer Society volunteer Margot Freudenberg, a Holocaust survivor whose legacy of compassion continues to shape the organization today.
Danelle has worked at Islands Hospice’s O‘ahu office for two years, where she plays an important role in supporting office operations, assisting field staff and visitors and helping ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Her nomination also reflects Islands Hospice’s continued commitment to championing cancer care in Hawai‘i. Through the Makana Pono Employee Giving Program, Islands Hospice has previously supported other cancer-focused nonprofits, including the Hawai‘i Children’s Cancer Foundation and Susan G. Komen Hawai‘i.
“Live life to the fullest and start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart,” she said.
Mahalo, Danelle, for selecting an organization that brings hope and comfort to individuals and families during their most vulnerable moments.