We are thrilled to announce that For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation is returning again as a Cats Vs. Cancer Partner for 2016! That means for the entire month of February, every cat video you watch here on our site, or direct donation you make via our “donate meow” page, helps us raise money in support of their mission.
Take a look below to see their story and to see some of the people they’ve helped since we last partnered with them – YOUR VIEWS and SHARES MADE IT HAPPEN!
For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation enables cancer patients and their loved ones to strengthen, deepen and unify their relationship by creating unforgettable and last respite vacations. They’ve helped over 6,000 people since 1999!
“This break from cancer was exactly that! The smiles on our boy’s faces are a real treasure. This trip served as a huge motivation for me while I battled cancer and multiple surgeries. Having gone on the trip it was everything I hoped it would be, I was well enough and healed enough (from surgery) to enjoy everything. The time I spent with my family was filled with fun, adventure, laughter and memories!” – Doug Henning, traveled with his wife and children to the FPS Respite home.
In 1999, cancer took a man named Pete. But it couldn’t take his legacy.
Pete Bossow, Jr.
In the midst of his own battle with cancer, inspired by the kindness of his friends and family, Pete resolved to create an organization that would give adult cancer patients, their caregivers and their kids the emotional support and break from cancer they needed. He passed away before he could see his dream come to life. His wife, Marci, left her job as a practicing attorney and dedicated her life to making his vision a reality.
Brenda Lo Bianco is 51 and fighting breast cancer. Her daughters were devastated as they watched their mom endure chemotherapy treatments and side effects. Her husband, Mark, is working 4 jobs to try to keep ahead of the bills and to be able to afford their health insurance. Their respite vacation with their daughters to the FPS home in Florida gave their family precious time to heal.
For Pete’s Sake’s respite vacations are a week long (although can be made shorter to work with a patient’s treatment schedule, health and work schedule) and take place in Florida where FPS owns two respite vacation homes and at other donated locations along the East Coast and in the Caribbean.
Patients are between 24-55 years old and must be nominated by a member of their oncology team. For Pete’s Sake partners with over 325 nominators at 100 hospitals to form their nominating teams.
For Pete’s Sake aims to give cost-free, care-free respites and thus covers the cost of airfare, car rental, accommodations and gifts a generous cash stipend to ensure families have to spend little to no money of their own while on their break from cancer. Upon return, For Pete’s Sake creates a special photo keepsake and keeps in touch with the patients and caregivers through their ancillary support program.
Check out this video to learn more:
And to see how your time spent on Cats vs Cancer will help For Pete’s Sake and all our other future charity partners, check out this video to see how it all works:
