Province Invests in Expansion of Cancer Support at Daffodil Place

Nova Scotians and their families who travel to Halifax for cancer treatment, will soon benefit from additional living accommodations thanks to support announced by Premier Darrell Dexter today, April 15.

The province will invest $3 million to support the expansion of the Canadian Cancer Society's Lodge That Gives through an investment in the creation of Daffodil Place.

"When a loved one becomes ill, families face a multitude of worries and finding a place to stay shouldn't be one of them," said Premier Dexter. "This investment means that more Nova Scotians will have a supportive and welcoming place to stay as they undergo cancer treatments."

"The province is committed to providing better health care for Nova Scotian living with cancer and their families."

For more than 20 years, the Lodge that Gives has been funded by Canadian Cancer Society donors. These donations have provided free accommodations, meals and support for Nova Scotians with cancer. With the creation of Daffodil Place, the Lodge that Gives capacity will expand from 34 to 76 guests a night.

Daffodil Place will include a renovation of the building that currently houses the lodge and provincial offices of the Canadian Cancer Society. The new facility will include a cancer research centre and enhanced supportive care.

"With this investment, the province recognizes the critical need to expand accommodations, supportive care programming and cancer prevention research for Nova Scotians living with cancer," said CEO, Nova Scotia division of the Canadian Cancer Society Maureen Summers.

"This funding helps meet the essential needs of Nova Scotians travelling to Halifax for cancer treatments and makes Daffodil Place that much closer to becoming a reality."

The Lodge that Gives provides Nova Scotians with a home away from home while they receive necessary cancer treatment. The support they receive helps them focus on getting well and beating cancer.

"The Lodge That Gives gave me so much more than a place to stay. It gave me peace of mind so I could focus on getting better," says former lodge resident and cancer survivor, Seretha MacIsaac of Yarmouth.