Sea Isle News Features FPS and our Connection With the Jersey Shore Community!
By Donald Wittkowski
For most of her life, Donna Black never knew anyone close to her who had cancer. All that changed, however, with a cancer diagnosis in March 2015.
It was her own. Her doctor told her she was suffering from Stage 4 lung cancer, the most advanced form of the disease.
“My doctor said he could not cure it, but he could treat it,” said Black, 53, a resident of Sea Isle City for 35 years.
At one point during Black’s chemotherapy treatments, her 60-year-old husband, Paul, became ill with pancreatitis and required an extended hospital stay.
They were both being treated at the same Philadelphia hospital. Paul recovered, but the stress and physical hardships associated with Donna’s illness left both of them needing a respite from cancer.
It was then that a nonprofit organization called For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation stepped in and sent them on vacation to the Caribbean paradise of Punta Cana in October 2017. The trip was donated by Apple Vacations, a travel partner with For Pete’s Sake.
FPS has been awarded a perfect score by Charity Navigator, a feat accomplished by less than one-tenth of one percent of charities! As the end of 2023 approaches, we encourage you to make your gift by December 31! By choosing to support FPS, you are not just donating to a charity; you can give with confidence and know that your donation will have a direct impact on the 795 people we plan to serve this year with over 76,000 hours of respite.