THE FOURTH PILLAR: HEALTH CARE

Peter Wege’s health advocacy emphasizes prevention and holistic medicine. The Wege Foundation’s largest single gift to Saint Mary’s Hospital, where his seven children were born, is actually named for Peter’s philosophy. It’s called The Peter M. Wege (after his father and oldest son) Institute of Mind, Body, & Spirit.

The natural light and greenery seen in the accompanying photograph of the Institute’s lobby reflect the serene atmosphere of holistic healing. This major addition to the Saint Mary’s campus uses the latest medical technologies to treat illness along with alternative therapies, including acupuncture and massage.

The one disease Peter has worked to conquer since his first donation as an Army Air Force officer in 1946 is cancer. His father died of oral cancer in 1948 and his mother of breast cancer ten years later. Peter’s early support for Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids testifies to his passion for helping cancer patients and their families.

But even after helping Gilda’s Grand Rapids become the most successful of the 20 Gilda’s Clubs in the country, Peter was not done helping people with cancer. In October 2005, the American Cancer Center broke ground on the first “Hope Lodge” in Michigan, a free residence for out-of-town cancer patients and their families.

Hope Lodge was built to house cancer patients who have traveled to Grand Rapids for treatment at one of the hospitals. The need for this free, short-term lodging became clear with the numbers. Of the almost 4,000 cancer patients treated in Grand Rapids every year, one-fourth of them come from out of town. By offering a home atmosphere with a kitchen and laundry, Hope Lodge relieves the patient and family of both the expense and inconvenience of hotel living.

Working with the Great Lakes Division of the American Cancer Society, The Wege Foundation’s lead gift—plus Steelcase furniture—enabled Grand Rapids to build Michigan’s first Hope Lodge. The $6.8 million Hope Lodge has 20 private suites and four communal kitchens that can house 600 cancer patients with their care givers every year.

The 30,000-square-foot residence also has a workout room, an outdoor garden area, and a library with internet access. And to nobody’s surprise with Wege involved, Hope Lodge is green built with a top environmental ranking from the U.S. Green Building Council.

While Hope Lodge serves as the “poster cause” for The Wege Foundation’s Health Care pillar, it obviously touches on the Environment and Human Services as well. In the lobby of this new Peter M. Wege Guest House hangs the portrait of the two people Peter always credits for the good works he has been able to do.

Peter Martin and Sophia Louise Wege stand together in the painting welcoming cancer patients and their families to Hope Lodge’s home-away-from-home.