While going through cancer treatment, cleaning one’s home is usually not a priority. But it’s got to be done.

Claudia couldn’t carry her vacuum up and down two flights of stairs, nor was it something her doctor wanted her to do. “I just couldn’t keep up with it,” said Claudia, who did not want to be identified because of her situation. “It had become overwhelming.”

Unable to do the work herself, the Mountain resident called POSH Cleaning, a Hamilton company she found online. When the owner came over to give an estimate, Claudia mentioned she was recovering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. It was then that she learned about a unique program that some maid services are connected to which offers four free cleanings for cancer patients.

“I knew nothing about it at all,” said Claudia. She went through the process of getting her doctor to fill out paperwork to send to the Cleaning for a Reason Foundation and within 10 days she was approved.

Cleaning for a Reason is a U.S.-based non-profit organizations which has helped 14,000 women suffering from cancer. In the last few years, Canadian companies have signed up to offer the free cleanings.

“It’s hard for women who have been taking care of their homes to get that kind of help,” said Lisa Stewart of POSH. “There comes a point when they don’t feel well, it’s hard to keep it all together with children, work and appointments.” Stewart said members of her family have had their battles with cancer, so connecting with Cleaning for a Reason is personal. “It was a way for us to give back to the community,” she said.

For more information, contact POSH at 905-920-1332 or see cleaningforareason.org.