For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation received a $3,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it plans to use to fund its Respite Experience for adult cancer patients and their loved ones.

Amber Mercado, FPS Foundation relationships and grants manager said, “We are incredibly grateful for generous donation of $3,000 from the First Federal Charitable Foundation. This funding allows us to continue serving families in Luzerne, Columbia, Schuylkill and Carbon counties. “This grant will help us expand our reach and ensure that more families impacted by cancer can benefit from transformative Respite Experience and improve their mental health.”

For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation enables cancer patients ages 21-55 and their loved ones to strengthen, deepen and unify their relationships by creating unforgettable and lasting respite experiences.

FPS works with oncology professionals at more than 100 hospitals and cancer centers to provide transformative respite experiences to cancer patients, their caregivers and their children, and offers families emotional support that assists them as their journey with cancer continues.

The organization’s Cancer Respite Program includes both travel and staycation respites that complement the patient’s traditional treatment. FPS works with oncology professionals at leading cancer centers to create these carefree, cost-free respite experiences for an underserved patient population of families facing cancer who meet certain clinical assessment factors related to family health.

Patients and their families experience a six-day respite at Woodloch Resort, a safe, top-rated family destination, where the family can enjoy ample alone time, their own private accommodations and daily activities led by an FPS facilitator.

After the respite is complete, FPS continues the relationship with the patient, caregiver and children, offering them specific outreach assistance depending on the family’s needs.

“We’re honored to assist For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation with this grant so it can continue to support cancer patients through these free respite experiences and patients can receive these services that are so crucial to their recovery regardless of their financial situations,” First Federal Charitable Foundation Executive Director Megan Kennedy said.

The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area, and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.

Nonprofit organizations located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.

For more information or to obtain a grant application, visit www.1stfederalcharitable.org or email megankennedy7169@gmail.com.