Learn more about the historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build the nation’s FIRST CANCER RESPITE CENTER at Woodloch and positively impact families facing cancer.

"This is the single most important moment in the history of, for Pete's sake, next to its founding. This is the future, For Pete's Sake. This is how we're going to make this organization sustainable long after everyone who was involved in founding it is gone." 

Kate Shields, Respite Transformed Chairperson

"We looked at all the people that were traveling this journey alone and we said, what can we do to to help those that are coming behind us? And, you know, this was really Pete's vision. Like he said, you know, Marcy, we're going to start a respite center and we're going to bring people together who have this disease We're going to give them the gift of community and the gift of the healing that we had and the gift of time. Having done this for over 20 years, you know, we recognize that we are the only ones in the country who really focus on the gift of respite, and we get the time as a family unit We looked at our data, we looked at our outcomes. We looked at what oncologists were saying and social workers were saying about our program. And we said, What can we do to help more people?"

Marci Shankweiler, Founder & CEO For Pete's Sake

"Our goal has to be how do we manufacture an environment where we can care for more people and do it more economically."

Dale Moss, Respite Transformed Chairperson

"So we started going down this concept of a respite center, and we've been working with Woodloch for a long time, and I called the family that operates with Woodloch about how we could help more people, how we could be more effective. And how we could change cancer care. For families who needed our help and the concept of a respite center. Was developed."

Marci Shankweiler, Founder & CEO

"Your families are going to be able to stop life and be present with one another in the most quiet, comfortable, secure environment. With other people who are traveling that same journey."

Marci Shankweiler, Founder & CEO

"It is just such a peaceful place. Had a chance just to reset. And while everyday people need that, people who are battling cancer need it infinitely more.

Kate Shields, Respite Transformed Chairperson

"This is. This is paradise. This is. It's different than any any other destination that I've been to. Um, I'm definitely going to go back. More relaxed, more focused. It's just a game changer. It's just a game changer."

Kelly Johnston, FPS Respite Recipient

"Just to have something like this. An organization like he'd say. And then having a place like Woodloch working together is so important for somebody who's gone through what we've gone through. We would never have this opportunity to experience this. And what a great place to experience something because it's beautiful here. It's beautiful."

Richard Johnston, Kelly's Husband and Caregiver.

"I think what's going to be different about this respite center is the fact that we are going to be able to have families with families together because the connections are formed there and then there's a way to keep in touch. And we all know that when people have a shared journey, they feel alone until they meet somebody who's walking the same path or a similar path as them."

Kate Shields, Respite Transformed Chairperson

"I was kind of nervous. I didn't know what to expect. Well, it was like peace. So much love, so much compassion, and so many things that I never thought I would ever do. And I met so many people. They are going through what I'm going, got new friends, a new family. I haven't been so happy and happy a little bit in so long."

Adon Smith, FPS Respite Recipient

"Bringing people together and giving the gifts of community is going to be the most profound piece of the rest of it, because in the end, the journey is about people and it's about spending time with people. And I've watched families create amazing bonds that then are there to support each other through the journey. One of the pieces, too, about the rest of the center, I think that's really unique is that there's going to be a volunteer component and those are going to be people who've gone through a program. They could be oncologists, they could be social workers. They could be people who just want to give back as a volunteer and donor."

Marci Shankweiler, Founder & CEO

"What really excites me about building the respite center is that it is so needed. There's nothing like it in the country. Having seen cancer patients and their families coming together and seeing the good it does for them is just beyond words, really, for me. I just I was so moved by the entire Woodloch respite that I was. Privilege to to volunteer at. I just can't even I can't tell you enough."

Lisa Duemler, FPS Respite Recipient & Volunteer

"It is sometimes very heart wrenching for us to choose one patient and then leave three more to be chosen to that to the program, because we know that there's only so much so much that we can do for our patients and how many patients we can nominate so we can reach out and give the same respite program to almost all our patients. That would be awesome."

Ranju Gupta, MD Hematology/Oncology Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute

"The medical community does a great job treating the patient and their physical needs and For Pete's Sake, supports that treatment in treating the emotional, the psychosocial, the spiritual, and the physical health of that person and of the caregiver and their children. And when I look at, you know, I think about making investment. There's no better investment to make than investing in a person. And For Pete's Sake, invest in people every single day. They invest in giving them this gift of respite that will forever change it. And every single person that walks into a respite center is going to be changed forever.

Marci Shankweiler, Founder & CEO

No, it's okay. It's okay. It's okay to go out. Live your life is. You just can't waste your life. It's important to live, live your life is, Don't waste your time. Don't procrastinate. Live."

Adon Smith, FPS Respite Recipient

"There is great joy in giving. You know, it's not what we accumulate in life. It's what we contribute in life that makes us different. And this is a chance for people to be part of a legacy. This is the first cancer respite center in the country, the first to be part of that kind of history. I want a piece of that. I think you would want a piece of that. So the key for us is to let people know about this, because my hunch is they'll want to be part of it."

Dale Moss, Respite Transformed Chairperson