MORNING HEADLINES | Few people could predict what would happen when Jewish refugee Margot Freudenberg opened the doors to the Charleston Hope Lodge in 1970.
More than five decades later, the endeavor has grown into a nationwide organization that has touched more than 111 million lives — patients, their loved ones, friends, neighbors and colleagues.
Under the wing of the American Cancer Society, the Hope Lodge serves as a temporary home for cancer patients while they undergo treatment — completely free of charge. In Charleston, it’s located on Calhoun Street across from the Medical University of South Carolina.
“We could be in the middle of the tour with a new prospective patient,” said Sundi Herring, director of philanthropy for Charleston Hope Lodge. “They say, ‘OK, how much is this going to cost?’ And we say, ‘It’s free,’ and [then] it’s just waterworks.
“It’s that underpinning of support, like they can suddenly believe again that they can get on the other side of this.”
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In recent headlines
CP OPINION: Keep thanks and giving local. It’s the thanks and giving time of year. First, the thanks part: Over this holiday weekend that many of us spend with family, let’s recall the first Thanksgiving in South Carolina. It was probably in French. Maybe Spanish.
CP NEWS: State water plan shows rising strain on S.C. rivers. South Carolina’s rivers and streams are under increasing strain due to a torrent of new residents, industries and megafarms that threaten their long-term sustainability, according to a new report.
STATE ROUNDUP: Bipartisan S.C. team bringing internet-connected schools to Gaza. Two longtime friends — former GOP Gov. David Beasley and 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Noble — are navigating tricky Mideast politics to bring high-tech tent schools to Gaza. “David is our chairman,” Noble said. “And whenever it gets really tough, we call him and he figures it out.”
- S.C. Dems say local wins show tide turning in their favor
- S.C. food banks lost over 1.5M pounds of federal food aid in 2025
- Enslaved S.C. potter’s works turned over to descendants in landmark agreement
- 7 new measles cases found as S.C. outbreak continues to spread
- Clyburn looks at first Black S.C. congressmen in new book
CHARLESTON ROUNDUP: Leading state environmental group struggles with leadership changes, staff losses. According to this report, former board members, staff and partner organizations worry that the Coastal Conservation League is losing effectiveness due to recent leadership and staff changes.
- 1 injured in North Charleston Thanksgiving Day shooting.
- $100M gate expansion now rising at Charleston airport
- ‘Light the Lake’ event kicks off Charleston holiday season
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