My Nonprofit Reviews

A cancer diagnosis is devastating. No matter how brave a person is and with how much grace they handle the news and journey, there are moments of fear, loneliness, anger, and overwhelm.

In September 2024, after several months of testing, I received a diagnosis: breast cancer. I began chemotherapy in October. Despite my best efforts, life changed. I had less energy to play with my children, less patience with my husband, and less time for myself. I plowed through the treatments and the holidays doing my best to appear confident and capable, but my determination wavered as my exhaustion increased.

I was gifted a respite to Woodloch in February 2025. It restored my spirit, reconnected me to my husband, and allowed me to fully immerse in the joy of my children. Woodloch is a place out of a dream where families are encouraged to enjoy extended meals together, to complete tasks and competitions as a team, and to interact with others. No one needs this kind of focus more than a cancer patient. In spending quality time with my family, I was able to shake the guilt and frustration that had consumed me for months. Furthermore, I was able to share my story with an empathetic audience: there were nine other FPS families enjoying a respite at the same time as my family. As we got to know these other families through activities, I explained my circumstances and listened and learned from theirs. It was a relief to feel understood.

I imagine it’s hard to quantify the impact of an organization like FPS. How can we measure the way quality time affects attitudes and relationships? It seems the best way is through anecdotal evidence. To that end, I hope my story helps demonstrate the life-changing power of respite and the importance of an organization like For Pete’s Sake.