Stories from our FPS Respite Recipients

By: Julia Neff

Awilda, 51

Breast Cancer

Awilda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. As a single parent of two children, she experienced struggles from treatment and financial worries. She recently completed treatment and her oncology team at Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care wanted to give her a chance to finally “exhale” with her kids.

Awilda told us, “We need this respite to erase the memories of cancer treatment. We need a reset and a chance to make up for lost time.”

Awilda and her children traveled to Woodloch Resort in December, where they made new memories filled with fun and connected with other FPS families.

Upon return from respite, Awilda shared with us,

“I am so grateful for this respite. It’s helped me to relax and calm my mind. It was important for my family [to take this break from cancer] because they have been through the entire process with me, and they were scared I wasn’t going to make it. I also met other people going through the same thing as me and made new friendships. Thank you!”

 

Dorcy, 41

Colon Cancer

Dorcy is 41 years old and was diagnosed with colon cancer. Over the past three years she has undergone three surgeries for her cancer, along with needing to care for multiple other health conditions that have prevented her from working. Dorcy feels as though it has been one thing after another without a break.

Her oncology team at Wellspan Health and Cancer Care Associates wanted to give her family a respite to take a break from the hardships and sickness. Getting the chance to create memories with her daughter was all Dorcy could hope for. On respite at Woodloch in September, Dorcy’s family was able to bond with other people going through a similar situation which gave them a better understanding of how to cope with cancer.

“This respite was a beautiful break from everyday life dealing with my hardships. My family met so many wonderful people to talk to about my situation and it helped me remember that I’m not alone.”

 

Brian, 42

Brian, 42, is a high school teacher and was diagnosed with cancer in early 2022. Brian shared that his task was straight forward- to rest, to try to eat, and to endure. Brian says that his husband, Marc, has a much more uneasy task as caregiver. Even during struggling times Marc continued to push forward, and Brian says that Marc is the reason he continues to make progress. For this reason, Brian wanted to surprise Marc by “getting back to something we have missed- making memories together.”

His oncology team at Cape Regional Medical Center Radiation wanted to give Brian and his husband a break from cancer once Brian completed radiation therapy in September. They knew that Brian and Marc love to travel, which they haven’t been able to do since Brian began treatment. Because of our FPS community, the couple were given the opportunity to travel to Woodloch Resort in October!

“We were treated like family! This respite was a positive boost to our mental well-being, and I gained more perspective on why my husband and I are fighting this.”