This AstraZeneca contribution represents the largest single gift restricted to one purpose or program in the 93-year history of the American Cancer Society.

Since the Hope Lodge campaign began two and a half years ago, more than $20 million has been raised by the volunteer Campaign Cabinet. The American Cancer Society still needs to raise another $5 million to complete the project. In 2004, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute invested $2.5 million in the project, followed in 2005 by gifts of $2 million each from Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital, the founding hospitals of Partners HealthCare. The combined investments of the three hospitals enabled the American Cancer Society to purchase the site of the former Vincent Memorial Hospital for the new Lodge.

Four gifts of $1 million or more, as well as numerous six-figure gifts, have been received from individual philanthropists, organizations, and foundations committed to increasing access to state-of-the-art treatment for cancer patients living outside the greater Boston area.

The new AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center will provide 40 guest suites in a supportive and home-like atmosphere for cancer patients and their families during what is often a difficult and emotional time. The AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center will provide up to 14,600 free nights of housing each year. Currently, only 61 hospitality rooms are available to cancer patients traveling to Boston for medical treatment, while the number of patients needing such support continues to rise.

“AstraZeneca has always displayed tremendous commitment to patients, particularly cancer patients,” said David S. Rosenthal, MD, co-chair of the volunteer Hope Lodge Boston Campaign Cabinet. “Their generous gift to name the Boston Hope Lodge is yet another example of their dedication to improving the quality of life of cancer patients. Because of their generosity and vision, the American Cancer Society will be able to begin providing lodging and support nearly two years ahead of schedule to hundreds of cancer patients coming for treatment in Boston, one of the nation’s leading comprehensive cancer centers.”

With its U.S. headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, AstraZeneca has its second largest presence in Massachusetts, with a major cancer research facility in Waltham and operations located in Westborough. According to Tony Zook, President and CEO of AstraZeneca U.S., the company’s naming of the Boston Hope Lodge is “a living example of how important it is for AstraZeneca to contribute to the communities in which we live and work.”

“Patients are at the center of everything we do at AstraZeneca,” Mr. Zook said. “With a 30-year history of discovering and developing some of the world’s leading oncology products, AstraZeneca is committed to giving patients access to the medicines and care they need to live longer, healthier lives. The new AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center in Boston will assure that more patients can take advantage of the high-quality cancer care that Boston offers.”

Situated close to Boston’s world-class medical institutions, the 50,000 square foot facility will be the third American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in New England; the others are located in Worcester, MA, and Burlington, VT. While the façade of the historic 1907 building will be retained, work on the building will begin this month, with the groundbreaking for the new building expected in March 2007. Plans call for the AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center to be completed and serving patients by spring 2008.

“The American Cancer Society’s New England Division is deeply grateful to AstraZeneca for their $7million gift, which will surely make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of cancer patients and their families,” said Don Gudaitis, CEO of the New England Division of the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society has opened 23 Hope Lodges throughout the United States over the past 20 years, each providing free temporary housing facilities for cancer patients undergoing treatment far from their homes, as well as transportation, counseling, and other vital support services. For more details, contact Thomas P. Sellers, ACS Chief Financial Officer & Project Manager for Hope Lodge Boston, at 508.270.4760.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.