Having a ball

For Pete’s Sake raises $210K at annual Beach Ball Gala

For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation raised more than $210,000 to help families take a break from cancer at its 19th annual Beach Ball Gala Jan. 26.

For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation (FPS) is a nonprofit organization that assists adult cancer patients, their caregivers and loved ones. Inspired by the late Peter R. Bossow Jr., FPS gives patients and their loved ones a respite vacation to address the complex emotional, financial, spiritual and psychological needs of the young adult cancer patient population.

The event included a sitdown gourmet dinner, cocktails, live music by Contagious and live and silent auctions.

This year, Mary Oleksiak, a social worker at Abington-Jefferson Health, received the FPS Gratitude Award. The Gratitude Award honors a medical professional or a medical center that provides care and support to cancer patients in the five states For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation services. This recipient also directly supports the mission of For Pete’s Sake and has made a positive impact in the lives of the families FPS helps.

“As a social worker listening to patients fears and concerns every day, I need a toolbox. … I need great organizations like For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation to help me offer a lifeline to those patients who desperately need it,” Oleksiak said upon acceptance of the award.

Doylestown resident Sean Lahetta shares his testimony as he remembers his dad, Carl Lahetta, and their FPS respite vacation.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS — FOR PETE’S SAKE CANCER RESPITE FOUNDATION Mary Oleksiak accepts the 2019 Gratitude Award from FPS founder and CEO Marci Schankweiler.

Guests celebrate with the Phanatic.