Cleaning for a Reason Supports Patients Battling Any Type of Cancer
By Lucy Lee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NONPROFIT EASES THE BURDEN OF CLEANING DURING COVID-19
Dallas, Texas – Oct. 12, 2020 – As the nation focuses on increasing awareness of breast cancer and raising funds for research during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cleaning for a Reason is helping make life a little easier not only for those with breast cancer, but also men, women, and children who are battling any type of cancer, one house cleaning at a time. The American Cancer Society estimates that two million people will be diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Cleaning for a Reason aims to help those cancer households by taking on the chore of cleaning.
“I started this organization when a woman told me she couldn’t afford to have her house cleaned because of her medical bills from cancer treatment,” said Debbie Sardone, founder of Cleaning for a Reason. “I truly believe that those who undergo the physical, emotional, and financial rigors of cancer treatment are in need of this type of practical support.”
Sardone explained why this service is even more important now during this COVID-19 pandemic. “Our goal is to remove the burden of cleaning and allow those cancer patients recovering from surgery, in active treatment, or in hospice to focus on their health and quality time with loved ones. Now more than ever, we are cleaning for health. Cleaning companies have been pursuing GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) certification to understand how to properly clean and safely disinfect to slow the spread of infection and disease, particularly the novel coronavirus. They are also following CDC guidelines when in a home to wear disposable masks and gloves, practice social distancing, and cleaning high touch areas with an EPA-registered disinfectant.”
Said cancer patient Elyssa Connor of East Brunswick, NJ, “After my cancer diagnosis, I tried to wrap my head around what it would mean on a practical level to not really use either of my arms for six weeks after bilateral surgery. I’m so grateful for the gift of a clean, healthy home, while I battle cancer. Your program swept in and did what I couldn’t. You lifted a burden for both me and my family that lives 1,000 miles away.”
Currently, there are more than 1,200 cleaning partners throughout the United States and Canada who volunteer their time and services to provide free professional cleanings in partnership with Cleaning for a Reason, a charity of ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. The nonprofit processes the cancer patient’s application and then matches the patient with a local participating cleaning company.
These cleaning partners truly “bring meaning to cleaning” and since 2006, have supported more than 41,000 cancer patients with home cleanings valued at more than $14.1 million. Cleaning for a Reason is always signing up more cleaning partners as the demand for services continues to be on the rise. Cleaning companies that want to volunteer and cancer patients who are in need of free cleanings can sign up at cleaningforareason.org
Said Debi Bascue, owner of Rag Mops Cleaning Service Inc., of Lewisville, TX, “Cleaning for cancer patients is especially important because their immune system is suppressed due to the various treatments they are undergoing. Infection control is the main objective. We should clean for health first and appearance second. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to make a difference for cancer patients and their families.
