Jacksonville, FL – Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s Southeastern Region will gather in Jacksonville, Florida, for the 2025 Southeastern Regional Leadership Conference under the theme “Strength in Sisterhood, Power in Leadership.” As part of the region’s signature Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) service initiative, the conference will support Hope Lodge Jacksonville, an American Cancer Society program that provides a free “home away from home” for cancer patients and their caregivers.
Why Southeastern Region of Zeta Phi Beta Chose Hope Lodge Jacksonville
- Local impact with national reach: Jacksonville’s Hope Lodge is one of only 30 facilities in the United States and Puerto Rico. With 30 private rooms near world-class treatment centers, the lodge welcomes patients from across the globe.
- Cancer’s disproportionate impact on Black communities: Breast cancer is 40% higher in Black women than white women, while Black men face prostate cancer rates 2–3 times higher than other groups. Supporting Hope Lodge directly aligns with the Southeastern Region of Zeta Phi Beta’s mission to uplift communities disproportionately affected by health disparities.
- Partnership with the American Cancer Society: As one of Zeta Phi Beta’s national partners, the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge represents the Southeastern Region’s commitment to advancing health equity and providing meaningful, life-sustaining support.
How Southeastern Region Zetas Will Help
Through monetary donations, in-kind contributions, and items purchased from the SER Z-HOPE Amazon Wish List, conference attendees will help sustain Hope Lodge by funding:
- Upkeep and maintenance of the facility
- Transportation for patients and caregivers
- Hot meals and snacks for guests
- Daily essentials such as soap, tissue, and laundry detergent
Impact of Support
The generosity of donors makes Hope Lodge possible. Zeta Phi Beta’s contributions will ensure that patients and their caregivers can focus on treatment and healing, rather than housing or basic needs. Beyond lodging, Hope Lodge also provides services such as yoga, smoking cessation classes, and connects underserved communities to cancer screenings—2.4 million screenings were facilitated in 2024 alone.
Why Jacksonville
Jacksonville was selected not only for its ability to host the Southeastern Region’s 2025 Leadership Conference but also because it is home to a Hope Lodge that serves as a vital lifeline for cancer patients across Florida and beyond. With 115,000 Floridians diagnosed with cancer annually and the state ranking second highest in the nation for cancer incidence, the location allows the Southeastern Region of Zeta Phi Beta to directly support a community deeply affected by the disease.
About Hope Lodge
Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a safe, nurturing environment where they can stay at no cost while accessing critical treatment. Each Hope Lodge location fosters community by offering meals, activities, and private rooms for guests to focus on healing without the financial burden of lodging. In 2024 alone, Hope Lodges provided over 540,000 free nights of lodging to patients and caregivers nationwide.
Contact:
Marketa H. Killingbeck
Deputy Chief of Staff, Southeastern Region, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Cell: (404) 324-7058