Stories
Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP)
Senator Lisa Baker, Governor Josh Shapiro, and the Pennsylvania Budget Office selected For Pete’s Sake to receive a $3.5 million dollar grant through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. We are grateful for Senator Baker’s advocacy for this project and for making this vision a reality. This milestone was made possible with the support of key leaders, including Representatives Jeff Olsommer, Jonathan Fritz, and Tarah Probst; Senators Maria Collett and Rosemary Brown; Pike County Commissioners Matt Osterberg, Ronald Schmalzle, and Christa L. Caceres; Wayne County Commissioners Brian Smith, Jocelyn Cramer, and James Shook; Lackawaxen Township Supervisors Jeffrey Shook, John Beisel, and Mike Mancino; and Pike County EDA Executive Director Mike Sullivan. Senator Lisa Baker said of the grant:
“So many of us have been touched by this terrible disease. This infusion of state dollars is a significant investment that will help leverage the corporate, foundation, and private donations required to establish this premier complex right here in northeastern Pennsylvania.”
McMahon Family
Mrs. Sandy McMahon and her family have been loyal supporters of FPS since our inception, both individually and through their company, McMahon Insurance Agency. McMahon Insurance Agency, acquired in 1981 by Mr. Bill McMahon, Jr., a La Salle University graduate, has expanded to serve numerous clients across multiple locations in New Jersey, with the flagship office in Ocean City. Mr. and Mrs. McMahon have seven children, two of whom, Maura and Bill, share a special connection as La Salle graduates and Maura as a crew team member with our founder, Pete.
Sadly, Mr. McMahon passed away from cancer in 2019, and now Mrs. McMahon is courageously battling her own cancer. She decided to leave a legacy gift to FPS in honor of her late husband and as a testament to their commitment to our cause.
“This project is meaningful to me because I am on my own cancer journey right now, so it has taken on an all-new meaning. My hope for the gift is that this Respite Center will allow so many more families to be able to use the Respite Center. I know I won’t see it completed, I know it will be completed and hopefully my gift will enable others to give generously.”
Kiesendahl Family
For the past 15 years, the Kiesendahl Family, owners of Woodloch Resort, have been invaluable partners to For Pete’s Sake, offering a scenic, rejuvenating space where FPS Families can find respite and renewal. Soon, the future Respite Center will join this legacy, set on a beautiful 32-acre campus adjacent to Woodloch Resort. Established by the Kiesendahl family in 1958, Woodloch has grown to encompass over 1,000 acres and hosts more than 1,200 guests, embodying a spirit of warmth and inclusivity. Bob Kiesendahl has been a driving force in this collaboration, sharing a commitment to making every FPS family’s experience memorable and restorative.
“As a cancer survivor, I understand the importance of community and family as you navigate your diagnosis. Since Woodloch Resort’s inception, our purpose and ‘why’ has been to make the world a better place. Our partnership with For Pete’s Sake was forged after our first conversation with Marci in 2011, and our common mission has allowed us to strengthen our bond over the years, bringing us to this milestone moment.”
Essent
Essent Guaranty [NYSE:ESNT] is a national private mortgage insurance company headquartered in Radnor, PA. Essent is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and also believes in making a difference in the communities where they work and live. Over the last seven plus years, Essent has become a friend and community partner to For Pete’s Sake.
Essent’s corporate giving and employee volunteer programs are designed to sponsor national and local community organizations with a focus on children, education, health, and housing. For Pete’s Sake fits very well into this mission!
“Essent is pleased to support For Pete’s Sake, a foundation dedicated to providing vital respite to cancer patients and their loved ones. The dedication, measured impact and unwavering commitment of the FPS team makes us proud to stand behind their mission.” – Mark A. Casale, Chairman and CEO
Gerardi Family
Andrea and Andrew Gerardi have been integral to the For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation since its earliest days. Andrea, the sister of our late founder Pete, and her husband Andrew are deeply inspired by the philanthropic values instilled by their own parents, Gerry and Joyce Gerardi and Peter and Alice Anne Bossow. Together, they are committed to continuing this remarkable legacy of generosity and service, passing it on to their own children.
Andrea and Andrew have taken their dedication a step further by supporting a lodging unit at the Respite Center. Reflecting on their commitment, they shared:
“When you arrive at the Respite Center, you’re handed the room key, and a wave of excitement and anticipation fills the air as you prepare for the days ahead. The kids run through the door, exploring every corner of the space, eager to begin their adventure. As a parent, you step over the threshold, take a deep breath, and feel an immediate sense of calm. This space becomes your home for this special experience—a place to fill with love.”
Ma Family
For over a decade, Peter and his family have been deeply involved in raising awareness and funds in New York to support For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation (FPS). This mission is personal to them because it has provided life-changing support to their family during some of our darkest times.
“Our journey with FPS began when my brother-in-law, Raf, just 32 years old, was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was a devastating blow for all of us, but especially for my sister and her two young children, who were only 6 and 4 at the time. Through FPS, they were gifted a much-needed respite—a chance to step away from the unrelenting pressures of cancer and focus on creating cherished memories together.
Four years later, cancer struck our family again, this time – my sister, Oi Yin. She was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer, and once again, FPS stepped in to help. They provided her and her children with another precious respite, allowing them to make lasting memories, even as they faced the inevitability of loss. Shortly after, my sister passed away, leaving her children without their mother. Those moments of joy and connection during their respite are memories my niece and nephew hold onto dearly, and our family will forever be grateful to FPS for making that possible.
For us, FPS is more than just an organization—it’s a bridge to healing and connection. Their work honors the memory of my sister and brother-in-law while offering a meaningful way for our family, including my own children, to support others walking similar paths. My kids have joined us in meeting families on respite, fostering a deeper understanding of the power of community and resilience.
This year, when another family member faced a cancer diagnosis, my daughter Miranda summed it up perfectly: “Cancer is not a journey you should face alone—it takes a village.” For us, FPS is that village. They’ve given us hope, a renewed purpose, and the ability to create a legacy of philanthropy for our family and for that, we are profoundly grateful.”
