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For Pete's Sake® Cancer Respite Foundation A Story of Love that Includes You!

A Message From Our Founder

This past year, we Lifted Up in Love so many families in the cancer crisis. We did this despite the challenges that were present because of the pandemic and because of you – your generous support enabled our Mission to be Possible! So thank you for being a part of the FPS community!

Our Annual Report contains so many families being Lifted Up in Love, of people making memorable moments together despite a daunting cancer journey. I hope you can view this Annual Report and smile, knowing that you created the smiles in all these photos! Thank you!

As always, should you ever have an amazing idea (and FPS has been built upon ideas) then please call me at 215.416.7489 or email me at marci@takeabreakfromcancer.org!

With gratitude, Marci Schankweiler, FPS Founder and CEO

Kathi on respite at Woodloch with her family. Kathi is 53 years old with a recurrence of ovarian cancer. Her family has been through so much and this time together allowed them to be carefree once again!

Since June 2020, we have been primarily utilizing Woodloch Resort, the top rated family destination in the northeast, as a safe haven for our families to take respite. This model, which we had been testing before the pandemic, has been reimagined and redefined and we are excited to see what the future brings!

Almost every month, 8-10 families travel to Woodloch during the same week for their Travel Respite. The families are lodged in comfortable and individual units, and are given the chance at least once a day to connect at an activity that addresses the therapeutic benefits of respite. The group activities are optional, and most families are happy to join as they strengthen their relationships and create new and lasting friendships.

Some smiles and memories created on respite at Woodloch in the past year!

Despite extensive travel restrictions, and working with our dedicated nominators, we were able to serve 372 people with respite, representing 99 families.

For those who were too ill to travel, we were able to provide Staycation respite experiences. The FPS Staycation program equips families with resources for respite, reflection and financial relief when a family is unable to travel due to advanced stage cancer. This opportunity allows families to connect and create magical moments within their own homes.

Lights. Camera. Action.

The highlight of our year was our Virtual Experience, featuring so many talented and generous people who worked together to raise funds for families facing cancer! At the start of the pandemic, it was unsettling to think about fundraising without in-person events. But our staff and volunteers rallied and we were able to create an unforgettable production! If you have yet to watch the experience, we invite you to grab some popcorn and check it out! It's more than a video, it's a story of love that includes YOU!

Thank you to our incredible Virtual Experience Committee who helped us bring this vision to life!

We dedicate the Virtual Experience to the Selcher Family. Erin and Steve traveled on respite in January 2021 and were featured in the Virtual Experience. Erin passed away from pancreatic cancer in May 2021. Read more about her amazing life below.

Sarha Young traveled on respite with her husband and children in October 2020. At the time, she was 35 years old and had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. She endured surgery, chemo and radiation. Finances were tight as she was unable to work as a nurse during her treatment. The stress was plentiful. Imagine the relief the family felt while on respite at Woodloch - no appointments, no financial stress, just precious moments together. "I was three months pregnant when I learned I had stage IV cancer. My husband Scott, my five other children and I were distraught, shocked, frightened and overwhelmed. With ongoing treatment, caring for a baby, concern about my family’s well-being and crushing financial strain, I had no hope. We reached rock bottom. And then, your FPS community came along and provided a moment to live, hug and love WITH HOPE during our respite last month at Woodloch. There are no words to describe your impact and there never will be." - Sarha

Sarha passed away in May 2021. This respite created memories that her husband and children will cherish for years to come. Thank you for the part you played in making love greater than cancer for this beautiful family.

Now, more than ever, it's important to spend quality time with the ones you love. FPS respites inspire us all to live for today.

“Our FPS respite experience was incredible - incredible! We enjoyed every moment and were excited each morning for new adventures. We met kind people who will be in our lives forever. Thank you!” - Cindy, 55 years old with breast cancer. Cindy traveled to Woodloch with her partner and grandchildren, of whom she has custody.

Although the pandemic altered the way we supported our families in person, we hosted virtual events, small dinners, seminars and made sure to call and check in with our patients. We were overjoyed in June to be able to host our first in-person support event since 2020 - a day at the beach in our beloved SIC, NJ!

FPS families gathered in Sea Isle City, NJ in June 2021. Our Beach Day was one of the highlights of our year! So many laughs, hugs and stories shared with special people.

Annually, over 4,100 people and corporations support our mission by donating, hosting an event or volunteering. The FPS mission is powered by volunteers! We are so grateful for each act of kindness! If you're interested in volunteering or hosting an event, please contact Donna@takeabreakfromcancer.org or call us at 267-708-0510.

Here are some unique ways our supporters gave back in our 2020-2021 year! We are grateful for their support and for the support of many others who helped keep our mission alive during a difficult year. For Pete's Sake is all about community!

Cars4Cause hosted one of their Car Shows at The Grove in Malvern on May 8th and raised $2,000 to give families a break from cancer! They partnered with businesses at The Grove who gave a portion of proceeds for sales that day, SlyFox Taphouse, Bomba Taco + Bar and Splitting Edge Axe Throwing!

Thank you to Chris Colburn, CEO & Founder of Cars4Cause and FPS Travelers, Toni & Michael Zappitelli! Toni and Michael traveled to Cancun in 2019 on an FPS respite.

FPS Volunteer and member of the FPS Young Friends Society, Phoebe Gutt, presented Marci with a $5,000 contribution from the Crane Fund for Widows and Children.

The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority raised money in a No Shave November in Memory of FPS Traveler, Makala Ashmar. We are so grateful for this support and know Makala is sending her love to us through this gift! Thank you to all the members of the force and those that worked with, knew and loved Makala at the airport (pictured: Makala in 2019 with Marci and the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority as they celebrated their 2019 fundraiser).

Makala passed away in September 2020 and before her passing she created a legacy to help more people take a break from cancer.

Every December for the past 3 years, Belle Mariposa Salon and Day Spa has hosted a Sip & Shop event to benefit FPS. Tracey VanDenPlas and her team found a creative way to host a FUNdraiser that was successful and safe for everyone!

The salon hosted a Virtual Sip & Shop that was well supported by clients, family & friends and raised over $2,000! In the past 3 years, Belle Mariposa Salon has raised enough money to provide respite to 2 families.

Eagles Community RedZone Presented by Philadelphia Insurance companies honored C.B. Community Schools, Carelink Community Support Services, Chimes and For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite at the Eagles vs. Ravens game on October 18th.

Here is FPS Board Chairman, Brad Minor, with FPS Chief Philanthropy Officer, Cheryl Pompeo and Former Eagle Fred Barnett, #86 wide receiver 1990-1995 at a RedZone cocktail event!

Community Chiropractic Center in Blue Bell hosted a give back program in which they donated a portion of all new patient exams to FPS, and they raised over $3,000 for our mission!

4 years ago, Jared set off on a quest to cycle cross country and raise funds for FPS families to take a break from cancer. 18 days into his journey, he was struck by a truck and left paralyzed. In October 2020, Jared set off to complete his journey and arrived in Ocean City, NJ on October 24, 2020. It was an incredible journey! Jared inspired us all and raised over $5,000 for the FPS mission!

Many thanks to Mayor Jay Gillian, Ocean City NJ residents, police force, firefighters and city administration for coming out and cheering for Jared on the final leg of his journey cycling across the country for FPS! And Jared, thank you for inspiring people of all ages! Your resilience, courage and hope will forever be remembered by all those touched by your story.

The FS Investments Turkey Trot and Dan's Down Dog and Dash united to host a virtual Turkey Trot in November 2020! This event raised over $16,000 for our mission and honored Eliot Hayes for his strength in the face of cancer adversity.

Thank you to Dunkin' who traveled around the Philadelphia area celebrating FPS Travelers who have paid kindness forward for FPS! Pictured are Helena Mercatilli and her friends. Helena raised money for FPS by selling her handmade sugar scrubs in memory of her dad, FPS Traveler, Steve Mercatilli.

Glanzmann Subaru provides invaluable support to our mission by choosing FPS as their local charity of choice each year in the Subaru Share the Love Event!

This year's campaign raised $30,000 for FPS families to take a break from cancer!

If you live in the Philadelphia area, be sure to check out Glanzmann's new dealership - it's the largest Subaru dealership in the world!

The Weiner Family traveled on respite in April 2020. Aaron Weiner sold hot chocolate bombs for his bar mitzvah project and donated the proceeds to For Pete's Sake! The whole family helped in his endeavor and their kindness supported another family facing cancer.

Ava Melasecca is an inspiration to our community! Ava founded Cupcakes for Cancer in memory of her dad and FPS Traveler, Jeff. She raises money for local charities and in March, donated proceeds from her sales to For Pete's Sake! Ava was also a star in our Virtual Experience!

Our Golf Tournament was the only signature event we were able to host in our 20-21 Fiscal Year, and we were overwhelmed by the support of our community! We raised $77,795 to give more families a break from cancer!

We look forward to resuming our Gala, Fashion Show, Walk and NYC Happy Hour in 2022!

Since we couldn't host the majority of our signature events, we found an outdoor, social-distancing friendly event in Cornhole.

Cornhole for Cancer was born!

We launched a mobile cornhole tournament and relied on volunteers to host their own events and fundraise for the FPS mission! A lot of fun was had at these tournaments in the past year and we continue to recruit new planners!

Thank you to Global Packaging for their support in this endeavor!

Our first Cornhole for Cancer Tournament in our office parking lot in Plymouth Meeting, PA in November 2020.

The Salamone Family, FPS Travelers, hosted our first official volunteer-led Cornhole for Cancer Tournament in June 2021!

Maryann Pastry Shoppe hosted a Jersey Shore Cornhole for Cancer Tournament in SIC, NJ in July 2021!

Nor-Gwyn Baseball & Softball hosted a fall-fun Cornhole for Cancer tournament in October!

Visit Cornholeforcancer.org to learn how we can bring a tournament to your community!

We pride ourselves in being excellent stewards of our donor's dollars. Therefore, we support a culture of complete transparency in all of our operations and fiscal spending. We are one of only 200 organizations nationwide to hold the PANO Standards for Excellence Accreditation and we hold the Guidestar Platinum Seal. In March 2021, we were contacted by Charity Navigator and are now rated a 4 star charity! We are also a top-rated nonprofit by GreatNonprofits. Thank you for your support and your trust.

FPS prides itself on sustainability.

We want to ensure we will always be here for future families in the cancer crisis.

Because of this, we launched an endowment in 2015 which is permanently restricted for FPS’ future. We also have a planned giving program and a charitable remainder unit trust. These revenue sources account for some of the additional income reported in our financials. Our finance and audit committees are comprised of processionals in their fields and they manage our assets. When you invest in FPS, you invest in a nonprofit you can trust.

FPS is proud to report that 76% of all funds are spent on direct program expenses.
Efrain prides himself on being a strong caregiver for his family, but treatment for his two cancers has transferred household duties to his wife, who is managing all appointments while working two jobs and going to school. The family needed a chance to relieve some stress and anxiety caused by cancer and COVID, and the FPS community provided them with a Travel Respite to Woodloch Resort in January! Here they are pictured during one of our favorite Woodloch activities, the Boat Build!
"Thanks for everything at the respite. For Pete's Sake has done for my family and I, what I couldn't have done. It is sad that when people read or hear about cancer from an outsiders point of view it just seems like data, statistics, numbers. But when you suffer from cancer, you get to see the faces; the families that struggle, highly energetic, motivated men drained to nothing, cheerful children barely able to smile. I am grateful there is an organization like FPS that helps lift our morale, that is always willing to provide a lending hand to those who suffer the most. Even though I am in remission I still have a lot of pain. Last year my fear was focused on my mortality, now its about my path to recovery. These days on respite were awesome! Thank you!" - Efrain

FPS IS PROUD TO RECEIVE GIFTS FROM THOUSANDS OF CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS EACH YEAR. OUR GIVING COMMUNITIES CREATE SUSTAINING, FUTURE AND LASTING INCOME. CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO VIEW THE MEMBERS.

Our Healing, Hope and Happiness endowment aims to be the primary source from which perpetual respite support continues year after year. Thank to you our endowment donors.

Our Monthly Memory Makers donate a designated amount to For Pete’s Sake each month as a way to sustain our mission. Each month, this gift gives families facing cancer the most precious gift of time together.

Our Planned Giving supporters have said “yes” to leaving a legacy of hope—a legacy that will forever link their life story to adult cancer patients and their families helped through For Pete’s Sake. No gift is too small and we encourage to give in honor or in memory of a loved one! If you have already named For Pete’s Sake in your estate, please email Marci@takeabreakfromcancer.org to let her know.

Our Corporate Partners provide backbone services to help our mission. We are grateful for their commitment to our families.

Every donor plays a role in making For Pete's Sake a viable organization. We thank each one of these donors for their generous support!

We remember those who are no longer with us and are thankful for our supporters who make such meaningful gifts in memory of loved ones.

We celebrate the members of our community who donate their birthdays, anniversaries and more!

Alba and her husband were both diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and they were not able to visit, or receive support from, their extended family. Cancer during COVID-19 took a toll on them emotionally. Alba’s oncology team knew the family could use a break from their normal routine and environment, so they nominated her for a Travel Respite. Alba and her family traveled to Woodloch Resort and the time away forever changed Alba’s outlook on life! “I just want to say thank you. This respite changed my life in this difficult time. I learned that as a family we can have fun and enjoy every little moment. Life is too short to be sad! I now feel more energetic and have enthusiasm to keep moving and do what I love. I’m going to enjoy my family every single day – no matter what. Cancer won’t stop me.”

Thank you for your support of our mission! You helped us transform hundreds of lives in one year! We'd also like to thank our volunteers who donate their time and talent so generously. If you'd like to contribute to our mission in a meaningful way, please email Info@takeabreakfromcancer.org.

Sincerely, The FPS Board of Directors and Staff