Columbus Couple Transforms Cancer Tragedy into Hope Hollow, Offering Free Lodging for Families in Need
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Cancer is a word that carries weight, often bringing life-altering challenges and emotional turmoil for patients and their families. In the heart of Ohio, one couple has turned their own struggle with the disease into a lifeline for others, offering free lodging, transportation, and unwavering support to those battling cancer.
Jane Jacquemin-Clark and her husband, Kevin Clark, founded Hope Hollow in Columbus, a nonprofit dedicated to easing the burden on families traveling for cancer treatment. What started as a simple act of kindness—opening their home to strangers—has grown into a community-driven mission that places families in hotel rooms when they can’t afford accommodations during treatment.
“It was like people walked in as perfect strangers… and then you grow to know them, love them, and become family,” Jane shared, reflecting on the early days of Hope Hollow.
The couple’s journey began years ago, when they first opened their doors to families needing a place to stay while seeking treatment. Their home became a sanctuary, offering more than just shelter; it provided warmth, understanding, and a sense of belonging during one of life’s most difficult chapters.
But as word spread, demand outpaced their capacity. Recognizing the growing need, Jane and Kevin shifted their approach, partnering with donors to secure hotel rooms for families in crisis. One such story still resonates with Jane: a woman sleeping in her car in a hospital parking garage because she couldn’t afford lodging. “The social worker called us, and we immediately got her a room,” she recalled.
For Jane, this work is deeply personal. Cancer has touched nearly every corner of her life. “Everybody I loved most in this world had cancer or died of cancer,” she said. “I always thought my turn would come. And it did.”
In 2007, Jane was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Three years later, she faced another battle: breast cancer. After overcoming both, she felt compelled to turn her pain into purpose. “I pray the gratitude, I speak the gratitude… but it’s not enough. I have to find a way to live the gratitude,” she explained.
That gratitude became the cornerstone of Hope Hollow, a name that embodies resilience, compassion, and unwavering hope. While the methods have evolved—from hosting families in their home to arranging hotel stays—the mission remains unchanged: to ensure no family feels alone during their cancer journey.
“We can’t take away their cancer,” Jane said. “But we can let them know that people care deeply about what they’re going through—that they are loved, they matter, and they’re not alone.”
Jane’s ultimate wish is one that speaks volumes about her heart and vision: “I always say I wish we would go out of business… because that would mean no one has cancer.”
For now, Hope Hollow continues to be a beacon of support, offering comfort and practical assistance to families in their darkest moments. Jane and Kevin’s story is a testament to the power of turning personal pain into collective hope, proving that even in the face of adversity, kindness can shine brightly.
— Reported by Nexio News
