I write about breast cancer every day, and sometimes my writing space and non-writing space blend together. Recently, while perusing Facebook, I noticed a post about an organization called Cleaning for a Reason. I read the blurb and then connected to their Facebook page. As I absorbed the information, I was astounded to discover this non-profit organization actually provides free cleaning services to women who are undergoing treatment for any type of cancer!

Wow.

Founder and President, Debbie Sardone says, “Our goal is to let these brave and strong women focus on their health and treatment while we focus on, and take away the worry and work of, cleaning their homes– free of charge.”

I had to discover more about this amazing group!

Frustration Leads to an Idea

In 2005, Debbie Sardone owned her own cleaning business and was heartbroken when a cancer patient couldn’t afford the services. She decided to find a way to grant a free house cleaning to anyone struggling with cancer. At a convention, she shared her frustration with other cleaning professionals, and they immediately gave Debbie their encouragement and support. Thus began the organization’s mission.

Here’s How It Works

Local residential cleaning companies throughout the United States and Canada volunteer to be a Maid Service Partner. The business is required to be licensed and bonded and willing to donate a few cleanings each month. Each partner takes on two patients at a time, who each receives one general house cleaning per month for four consecutive months.

Women who are undergoing cancer treatment can go to the Cleaning for a Reason’s website and submit an application to be paired with a provider. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee there will be an available maid service in every area. (If you or someone you know cleans houses, please spread the word and consider becoming a Maid Service Partner, so we can see this organization available to more women with cancer.) When a match is made, Cleaning for a Reason asks the patient to provide a note from her physician confirming she is in treatment. Upon receipt of that note, the local maid service will contact her to schedule the first cleaning.

Since 2006, Maid Service Partners have donated free house cleaning to more than 20,000 women battling cancer, with a value that equates to more than $5.5 million!

Partners and Patients

Clark Vaughan, owner of MaidPro in Denton, Texas is one of over 1,200 cleaning businesses that donate their services. He met Debbie Sardone in June of 2009, while attending an industry meeting. Clark states in his blog post, “Honestly, it was a no brainer for us to partner with the foundation. It is the right thing to do. We give women, battling the horrific disease of cancer and its side effects, a little joy in their life. We take something off the To Do list. The idea of donating a priority clean to women undergoing cancer treatment was simply an honor.”

The testimonials from recipients of the services say it all. One patient writes, “ I can’t tell you how nice it was to come home to a professionally cleaned house after a loooooong day in the chemo chair. Can’t thank you enough!”

Another thankful woman says, “I had a mastectomy, and I can’t do much with my right arm. I also get sick with the chemotherapy. Just having someone clean my bathrooms and scrub the kitchen and dining room tile floors is a blessing. This is a wonderful service and I’m so glad I found it. Thank you so much for your service. It’s amazing.”

An Extraordinary Gift

I’m Taking Charge applauds Debbie Sardone, the dedicated staff, and the many Maid Service Partners at Cleaning for a Reason. Their commitment to help ease the burdens of women with cancer is an extraordinary gift. Thank you!

If you’d like more information on how you can find a provider in your area, know a cleaning service that would like to participate, or if you’d like to donate to the organization, please visit Cleaning for a Reason.