LACKAWAXEN TWP., PIKE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — This year the nation’s first cancer respite center is expected to break ground in Pike County.
Walking the property of Woodloch Resort in Hawley, the snow-covered ground won’t be bare for long as it’s the location of a first-of-its-kind cancer retreat facility.
“What’s beautiful about this respite center is that families are going to be able to create their own individual respite experience and some of the activities that they’ll be able to enjoy are art therapy, yoga, meditation.”
Marcella Schankweiler is the CEO of ‘For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation.’
She lost her husband Pete at just 30 years old to cancer but says they were able to reconnect after his diagnosis at a respite program and continues to expand his vision to help others.
“It will change cancer care and it will change the trajectory of patients, caregivers, and their children on how they cope with cancer.”
Strange twist to ICE raids northeastern Pa.
Set on 32 acres, the 'For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Center at Woodloch' campus will break ground this year. Featuring amenities to help address the emotional, financial, and physical challenges of cancer in a safe environment.
It’s something PA officials like Senator Lisa Baker saw a need for, securing a $3.4-million state grant to help bring the project closer to its fundraising goal.
“Cancer touches every family, it’s touched my own family and the notion that we will have the first of its kind in the country here in our region is very exciting.”
This partnership also hits close to home for Woodloch owner Bob Kiesendahl, who received his own diagnosis 27 years ago.
“I was young and healthy and totally blindsided through leukemia and I received my initial treatment at the Penn State Hershey Cancer Center and had a lifesaving bone marrow transplant in Seattle, Washington.”
Now getting the chance to help others in their own fight, he says this center will take it to a whole other level.
“You lose hope or you think the worst case scenario so I think all of us as survivors are inspirational, and being able to disconnect from all of the craziness that’s happening during that time, and fighting the battle, does not just impact the patient. It impacts the entire family, the caretakers.”
Project organizers also say this will bring a significant economic impact to the region, bringing in more than 100 jobs and over $41 million in construction and tax revenue.
It's expected to open in 2026.
