$3.5 million awarded to Pike County for cancer respite center

The Office of the Budget has awarded $3.5 million to the For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Center at Woodloch. The funding is being awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).

The funding announcement was issued through Rep. Jeff Olsommer’s office, which explained that For Pete’s Sake plans to construct the first cancer respite center in the country that is dedicated to delivering “on-site, transformative experiences that will bring together the entire family unit that is facing cancer.”

“Cancer is not a disease that only affects an individual — but rather an entire family unit,” Olsommer said. “With these funds, For Peter’s Sake will be able to deliver a respite experience for these families, and I am grateful to see that these dollars will be used in such a meaningful and positive way.”

Olsommer’s announcement explained the process: Cancer patients will enter the For Pete’s Sake program via a nomination from their oncology professional, with the majority of patients currently dealing with financial hardship. For Pete’s Sake intends to service 4,500 people, with 83% of said patients under financial duress.

The RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.