PA Olympics 2020 - For Pete's Sake

Hello all! Thank you for choosing to donate to For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. We appreciate your support and contribution to one of the eight Physician Assistant programs competing in the 2020 PA Olympics!

What is the PA Olympics? - A fundraising competition that was started in 2003 by Michael Huber, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA. Each year, PA school programs in the Greater Philadelphia region go head-to-head to raise money for a local community-based organization. The competition culminates this year on April 18th at Bamboo Gardens in Vincentown, NJ; where students from each program come together for a day of medically themed sports activities to raise awareness for the chosen organization.

The PA programs involved in this year’s competition are Arcadia University, DeSales University, Drexel University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Salus University, Temple University, and Thomas Jefferson University – Center City, East Falls and Voorhees, NJ campuses. This year, the schools will compete and fundraise for For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation.

For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation was created by Marci Schankweiler in memory of her husband Pete. Over the course of the year after his diagnosis, they faced a multitude of emotions as they prepared for his death. They had an amazing opportunity to escape those feelings when their family and friends sent them away on a vacation in the midst of Pete’s treatment. During that trip, they rediscovered who they were before cancer, pretended for a moment that their lives were without challenges, and celebrated each day. This opportunity helped Pete rebuild his spirit for what lied ahead.

Upon returning from their trip, Pete wanted to ensure that patients just like him had this critical opportunity to regenerate their minds, bodies, and spirits. Marci dedicated herself 100% to carrying out his goal. This organization's mission is to address the psychosocial needs of young adult cancer patients and their loved ones. They provide transformative respite experiences for patients to travel with their family to enjoy unforgettable, lasting experiences together, while strengthening family relationships. The program focuses on reminding people that love, not cancer, defines them. 

For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation works with professionals at leading cancer centers to provide care-free, cost-free respite experiences, providing the gift of time to patients and their families. This organization schedules all aspects of travels, gifts a cash stipend, while providing inspirational materials to the families they are serving. Patients ages 24-55 are nominated by a member of their oncology team in the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. The organization has provided over 1,500 respite experienced for over 6,800 people in the past 20 years.

Fundraising efforts are currently underway for the PA Olympics to raise $25,000. We hope to send young adult cancer patients and their families on an unforgettable trip to take a break from cancer to ease to stresses associated with cancer, as well as to strengthen family relationships. Since the event’s inception in 2003, over $167,000 has been raised for various local organizations including IM ABLE Foundation (2019), Miracle League (2018), VAST -Valley Against Sex Trafficking (2017), and the Mazzoni Center (2016).

Thank you for your generous support for this incredible organization!