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Join us in a historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build the nation’s FIRST CANCER RESPITE CENTER and positively impact families facing cancer.

respite-transform-cfs-logo

Join us in a historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build the nation’s FIRST cancer respite center and positively impact families facing cancer.

respite-transform-hero2023

Pete’s Story.

Cancer.

When I heard this word with Pete, I didn’t envision a thirteen-month struggle battling this disease and life without him. But this was my reality. During our journey, we had the unique opportunity to experience a respite from cancer thanks to the generosity of our loving community. Before his death, Pete communicated his vision for a respite center so that other young families could reconnect, rejuvenate and refresh in a safe environment, an environment that allowed for communication, reflection, joy and pain to be shared within a family unit and together with other families in the same journey. For twenty-five years, FPS has impacted over 12,000 people with this gift of respite. Today, we embark on an endeavor that will bring respite to thousands more!

We announce our Respite Transformed Campaign: Pete’s Vision Realized adjacent to Woodloch Resort.

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Depicted above is Pete Bossow in July 1999, two months before he died. It was during this time when he outlined his original vision of the respite center; the drawing above was done immediately following his passing.

RESPITE Transformed

RESPITE
Transformed

Our $32M Respite Transformed Campaign will culminate in the construction of the $25 million FPS Cancer Respite Center adjacent to Woodloch Resort and add $7M of funds to the endowment; this center will transform cancer care in the Northeast region and offer transformational respite experiences in the most scalable, sustainable, effective, and efficient way possible.

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Project Vision.

Designed using 20 years of qualitative and quantitative outcome data from thousands of Respite Recipients and with input from oncology professionals, our Program Outcome Measures collected since the start of community respites at Woodloch Resort statistically demonstrate the impact of respite on the patient, caregiver and their loved ones.

Every space lends for transformative experiences that will change the continuum of care for cancer patients.

Focusing on health outcomes for the family unit, the facility includes a dedicated dining room serving 60,000 meals annually, an art room with stress reducing activities, a chapel for quiet meditation, yoga space for the entire family, a swimming pool for water therapy and outside nature trails on its 32 acre campus.

Click the icons on the rendering below to learn more about our Respite Center.

  • Pond & Babbling Brook

    Our families will find this area a place to calm down the body and mind with the sound of a gentle stream flowing down a rocky landscape.


  • Native Butterfly Meadow

    The Native Butterfly Meadow is designed for beautification, habitat creation and to attract pollinators, like the Monarch butterfly. Butterfly Meadows encourages healthy pollination in the area and creates communities within the ecosystem.


  • Rain Garden

    Our rain garden will collect and soak up rainwater runoff from paved areas, roofs and the surrounding landscapes to reduce flooding and create a habitat for butterflies, song birds and other wildlife.

  • Community Courtyard

    This outdoor gathering area will host relaxing activities, al fresco dining and allow our families to gather as a community around the firepits to enjoy calming unity, laughter and of course, smores.


  • Flagpole Plaza

    Our flag raising ceremonies, will not only honor our country and those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. It will also display our commitment to honor and support our families through their cancer journey.

  • Nature Trail

    Our trails will be constructed using asphalt pavement to create a continuous, smooth trail that will provide an ease to ambulate around the campus and take in the surrounding beauty of the Pocono Mountains. Our nature trail will also connect with existing hiking trails for those who wish to be immerse in nature and all its beauty.

  • Amphitheater

    This will be one of our most treasured outdoor spaces, built into the beautiful, wooded landscape wrapping our families in the calming beauty of nature. Our amphitheater will be a great place to gather, catch a performance, hold outdoor programming and endless opportunities of entertainment and spiritual connection for our families. Located adjacent to our chapel, providing our families the ability to join sunrise services, meditation, and renewal of vows. Thoughtful planning ensures healing of the mind, body and soul while being fully accessible for all levels of mobility.

  • Cornhole, Shuffleboard & Bocce Area

    This area of the Family Fun Zone provides leisure activities for our families to reconnect and relax.

  • Pavilion in the Family Fun Zone

    This structure will provide full coverage from the sun, allowing our families to enjoy breaks from the various play activities. Additionally, it will provide a gathering space for various therapeutic activities and entertainment.

  • Nature Playground

    Our nature playground is a play environment featuring natural elements that feel integrated with the outdoor landscape. It will enable children to move freely and creatively around the environment allowing them to explore, run, jump, climb and swing.

  • Play Lawn

    Our recreational play lawn will provide endless opportunities to play while inspiring movement. Our families will be able to enjoy the lawn year-round with frisbee, soccer, lawn games, snow stomping footprint tag, snow angels, snowmen and so much more.

  • Labyrinth

    Our labyrinth creates a walking meditation, to quiet the mind, calm anxieties, recover balance in life, enhance creativity and encourage meditation, insight, self-reflection and stress reduction.

  • Wishing Well

    Our families will be able to come together and share encouragement, love, joy, healing and hope for their family members as well as the other families they met on respite.

  • Chapel

    A peaceful space that fosters an environment for prayer, reflection, meditation, and other spiritual practices, supporting individuals on their unique journeys of spiritual health and well-being. This inclusive sanctuary welcomes people of all beliefs and traditions, offering a tranquil setting for personal reflection, growth, and healing.

  • Pool

    A pool offers both therapeutic benefits and opportunities for joy, serving as a place where water’s calming properties can soothe the soul. It provides a welcoming space for family connection, laughter, and cherished memories, blending relaxation and fun into a powerful source of emotional and physical rejuvenation.

  • Lodging Units

    Comfortable and thoughtfully designed lodging units tailored to meet the unique needs of cancer patients and their families, providing a supportive and healing environment during their stay.

  • Gateway Drive

    The entrance to the Center.


  • Family Fun Zone

  • Bluestone Rockery

  • Departure Driveway

  • Wall of Inspiration

  • Butterfly Garden

  • Short Stroll Loop

  • Food to Table Garden

  • Respite Relief Stop

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  • Respite Relief Stop

    2 of 5 on Short Loop


  • Respite Relief Stop

    3 of 5 on Short Loop


  • Respite Relief Stop

    4 of 5 on Short Loop


  • Respite Relief Stop

    5 of 5 on Short Loop


  • Respite Relief Stop

    1 of 5 on Long Loop


  • Respite Relief Stop

    2 of 5 on Long Loop


  • Respite Relief Stop

    3 of 5 on Long Loop


  • Respite Relief Stop

    4 of 5 on Long Loop


  • Respite Relief Stop

    5 of 5 on Long Loop


  • Dinner Bell

  • Porte Cochare

  • Open Field in the Family Fun Zone

  • Bocce Area

  • Baseball Field

  • Family Play Path

  • Basketball Court

  • Sway Swings

  • Welcome Garden

  • Train Garden

  • Family Play Zone Garden

  • Wood Fire Pit

  • Gas Fire Pit 1 of 3

  • Gas Fire Pit 2 of 3

  • Gas Fire Pit 3 of 3

  • Windchime Walk

  • Terrace Garden

  • Patio

  • Loading Dock

  • Parking Spots

  • Engraved Pavers

 

    Impact & Vision

    View Building Renderings
    Campaign Brochure

    Impact.

    Respite Transformed will change the continuum of care. For Pete’s Sake will scale efficiently and effectively, bringing integrative oncology with 20,000 respite nights and 500,000 respite hours to over 4,400 people annually. Here’s how significant this change will be for cancer patients and their loved ones!

    Current Future
    States served 5 15
    Families served weekly 2-4 16
    Individuals serviced by respite 764 4,496
    Nominating cancer centers 260 411
    Post-respite support & outreach 17,778 69,688
    Volunteer engagement 770 3,840
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    Respite makes a difference. Our respite data and outcomes have been recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and published in an April 2020 FPS abstract, title Individual and community respite as supportive care for adult cancer patients, their caregivers and their families. FPS has presented twice at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) national conference on the therapeutic impact of respite on patients, caregivers and their families relative to strengthened communication, relationships, resilience, quality of life and coping with cancer.

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    Increase in caregiver's coping ability
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    Increase in patient's coping ability
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    Increase in child's coping ability

    Our nominators continually report outcome data to For Pete’s Sake to measure impact. 100% of our nominators report improvement in patients’ and the families’ ability to cope with cancer. Furthermore, oncology professionals themselves report renewed strength and stamina in the clinical setting.

    Scalable Respite Model

      • Expands accommodation inventory by 700%
      • Streamlines internal and external operations
      • Provides a drivable location in 15 target states
      • Drives operational efficiencies
      • 38% direct cost reduction: $5,757 to $3,533 per respite
      • 23% indirect cost reduction: $11,865 to $8,407 per family for respite and ongoing ancillary support
      • Return on capital of $25M construction cost of 6.18 years
      • Creates a replicable respite model for the nation

    Sustainable Respite Model

    • Leverages hospitality partner Woodloch in collaborative agreement
    • Capitalizes on Woodloch partnership with access to resort amenities
    • Allows for revenue creation when Center not occupied
    • Uses robust Respite Volunteer Program to offset costs with 11,000 hours annually
    • Extends Respite Volunteer Program to oncology professionals to offset career burnout
    • Adds an additional $7 million to FPS endowment

    Evidence-Based Therapeutic Outcomes

    • 18 years of data demonstrates respite impact
    • 100% of nominators report improvement with coping by average of 50%
    • Benefits of Community respite recognized by American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in 2020
    • Benefits of Family Respite recognized by American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) in 2010 and 2022
    • Oncology Nominator, Patient, Caregiver and Children Feedback Available Here

    Meet The Team

    Marci Schankweiler
    Founder & CEO
    marci@takeabreakfromcancer.org
    (215) 416-7489

    Bob Kiesendahl
    Owner – Woodloch Resort
    woodbob@woodloch.com
    (570) 470-9944

    Campaign Committee

    Chairwoman
    Kate Shields*

    Chairman
    Tom McGinn

    Chair Emeritus
    Dale Moss

    Founder & CEO
    Marcella Schankweiler*

    Board Chair
    Meghan Patton*

    Peter** & Shirley Ma
    James Greenhalgh & Dana Linn-Greenhalgh
    Missy McGinn
    Michael & Lisa Minghenelli*

    Jeffrey Boyle
    Craig & Taryn Jones
    Paul & Courtney Ferrero
    Colleen Koh**
    Charles* & Amy Greenberg
    Pat & Shelia Bello
    Bob McNeil
    R. Brad* & Kelly Minor

    *Member, Board of Directors
    **Chair, New York Council

    Board of Directors

    Vice Chairman
    Joseph Manion

    Secretary
    Colleen Lange

    Treasurer
    Paul Mullen

    Christopher Condon
    Chuck Grohoski
    Bob Kiesendahl
    Vanessa Mapson
    William W. Matthews, III
    Thomas McGinn
    Michael Minghenelli
    Christopher Selgrath
    Kristin Williamson

    Building Committee

    Patrick Bello
    Christopher Condon
    Helen Malloy Griffin
    Anthony Gerardi
    Craig Hamilton
    Craig Jones
    Beth Kuttler
    Keith Ledwith
    Richard Salamone
    Dave Smith
    Mary Beth Stefanowicz

    Woodloch Community

    Bob Kiesendahl
    Dave Smith
    Rory O’Fee
    Amy Beilman

    Staff

    Program Director
    Carol Schwind, RN

    Medical Advisory Committee

    Et-tsu Chen, MD
    University of Pennsylvania Health System

    Terri McHugh, DO
    Main Line Health

    Meg Garrett, BSN, RN, OCN* University of Pennsylvania

    Health System
    Melissa Kratz, RN, MSN, OCN Lehigh Valley Health Network

    Luanne Chynoweth, LCSW

    Mary Oleksiak, LCSW

    If you would like more information or to discuss a possible naming opportunity, please contact
    Marci Shankweiler, at marci@takeabreakfromcancer.org or call (215) 416-7489. Read more about For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation on its website at www.takeabreakfromcancer.org.