Eagleville Family Plans March Gala to Benefit Montco Cancer Respite Foundation

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For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation
Image via For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation.

A chance meeting at a CEO networking event in 2000 established a chain of events that would change countless lives. Marci Schankweiler, a recent widow, came to the event to learn more about how to run a successful charity. It was there where she met local CEO Pat Bello, who was intrigued by her charisma and tenacity, reports The Times Herald.

“Right then and there, Marci asked if she could meet with me and learn how to be a CEO. I was hooked, I fell in love with her mission of helping cancer patients take a break from cancer,” said Bello.

Just a year earlier in 1999, Schankweiler lost her husband Pete Bossow Jr. to testicular cancer. He was only thirty years old.

Bossow asked his wife to fulfill his wish and create a nonprofit that would give patients and their caregivers reliving experiences and emotional support. In his obituary, Schankweiler asked for donations. She also quit her job as a tax attorney and started For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation.

After sharing his encounter with Schankweiler, Bello’s wife Sheila agreed he needed to help. “We realized that young adult cancer patients were pretty much a missed demographic. Yes, there are charities that target specific kinds of cancer, and certainly those that help children, but what about young people who may not fit any category?” she said.

Inspired by the organization’s mission, Bello joined the For Pete’s Sake board of directors and brought his family along for the ride.

The Bello’s three children, Megan, Kristin, and Patrick have always supported the mission of For Pete’s Sake and are now coming together to re-launch The Beach Ball Gala on March 5th at Vie in Philadelphia to raise money for the charity. It will be the first time in two years that the charity has been able to hold the lively party due to COVID restrictions.

As the Bello parents start to pass the torch of philanthropy off to their children, their father Pat had this advice to give: “To whom much is given, much will be required. Give joyfully!”

Today, Schankweiler’s nonprofit continues to serve adult cancer patients, their caregivers, and their children by providing respite from cancer and a chance to reconnect. For Pete’s Sake is headquartered on West Germantown Pike in Plymouth Meeting.

Read more about For Pete’s Sake in The Times Herald.

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