Dealing with cancer can be one of the most devastating challenges a family can go through. Besides the physical and emotional trauma, cancer ravages the finances of the family too, often forcing many families to give up basic requirements just to fund treatment for this deadly disease.
This realization hit Debbie Sardone hard in 2005 when - having given an estimate to a client for cleaning their house via her Buckets and Bows Maids Service - she received a reply that the caller was undergoing cancer treatment and needed every dollar she could save. Debbie realized that like her, many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or struggling with the medicines were too weak to clean their homes but could not afford to have it cleaned either. Determined to do something, Debbie pitched forward an idea at a national cleaning industry convention that elicited support from cleaning companies across America. That was the beginning of Cleaning for a Reason.
Cleaning for a Reason is a non-profit organization that for over 11 years has provided free house cleaning services to women suffering from cancer across America and Canada. The goal has not changed even today - to allow brave women suffering from cancer to focus on their health and not worry about their house.
Debbie Sardone - who started working out of the trunk of her car - today runs one of the largest maid services in the country with Cleaning for a Reason. Over 1200 maid services from a hundred different agencies have volunteered their time and expertise to provide free house cleaning to over 28,000 women suffering from cancer. Financially, that comes up to $8,000,000 (Rs 52.2 crores.) of free services over the last 12 years, paid for entirely by donations and good will.
Final thoughts: We are all capable of kindness. We just need to realize the true power of our potential and choose to take the first step.
This realization hit Debbie Sardone hard in 2005 when - having given an estimate to a client for cleaning their house via her Buckets and Bows Maids Service - she received a reply that the caller was undergoing cancer treatment and needed every dollar she could save. Debbie realized that like her, many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or struggling with the medicines were too weak to clean their homes but could not afford to have it cleaned either. Determined to do something, Debbie pitched forward an idea at a national cleaning industry convention that elicited support from cleaning companies across America. That was the beginning of Cleaning for a Reason.
Cleaning for a Reason is a non-profit organization that for over 11 years has provided free house cleaning services to women suffering from cancer across America and Canada. The goal has not changed even today - to allow brave women suffering from cancer to focus on their health and not worry about their house.
Debbie Sardone - who started working out of the trunk of her car - today runs one of the largest maid services in the country with Cleaning for a Reason. Over 1200 maid services from a hundred different agencies have volunteered their time and expertise to provide free house cleaning to over 28,000 women suffering from cancer. Financially, that comes up to $8,000,000 (Rs 52.2 crores.) of free services over the last 12 years, paid for entirely by donations and good will.
Final thoughts: We are all capable of kindness. We just need to realize the true power of our potential and choose to take the first step.
Author's note:
This is part of my #AtoZChallenge where I will be focusing on Real Life Heroes of Kindness and Compassion.
The list for this year's (2018) Heroes of Kindness can be found here.
Of course, I have been tracking these lovely human beings for years now and have found children as young as six years old and old women in their eighties from across the world who will restore your faith in humanity. You can find the entire list of Real-life Heroes of Kindness and Compassion here.
Another amazing tale of Kindness that has left me speechless. World over people are ready and willing to help out another person! Such a humbling yet wonderful thought to begin my day with. I will see who I can help out today!
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Another inspirational story. I find myself coming back everyday now to read another story on your blog.
ReplyDeleteAh can understand exactly the service received by these cancer women. The disease can drin you out of all eergy and getting basic cleaning done is almost close to impossible. Thanks to people like Debbie, women suffering with this disease dont have to be bogged down with it.
ReplyDeleteWow! Who could've thought about cleaning to help cancer women. Thanks to people like Debbie! Thank you, Roshan for bringing this amazing story to us :)
ReplyDeleteYet another tale of selfless kindness from your bag of good-ies, Doc. This one really moved me.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at the thought behind this kind and selfless service. What way to support women who are already struggling with Cancer. Hats off to these women who are cleaning for a reason!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an inspiring story. I guess not only cancer they can also extend this service to chronic patients also. I run a patient forum and each day I come across women who are too tired or weak to do household chores. They would be highly benefited by this service.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful service.Home is a necessity and helping people have a clean home is truly Gods work
ReplyDeleteWhat a great initiative! It just goes to show there is no dearth of kind people and kindness!
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to see them do so much for those affected with this deadly disease with unconditional love..God bless these angels..
ReplyDeleteGulabi gangs, kudumbashree and other women's self help group will be inspired to do this in India if they come to know of this story��
What a genuine way of helping out the ones who really need the help!Having seen my own mother battle the dreaded "C" thrice, I know first hand the extreme impact it the disease has upon the patient AND his/her family. Hats off! to the lady and her team AND to you, for bringing this to everyone's knowledge. All the best!
ReplyDeleteLovely theme Doc...reading about such people and their kindness really fills our heart with respect gratitude. Great theme , great write up.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts of kindness come to you when you really wish to help someone. How lucky are those women who have the help of Debbie and her cleaning services. Great initiative there!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read a post here, I always wonder why don't we have such kindhearted people in India. These women and the cause they are working for are so nice and heart warming. It is not easy to do such things without anything in return, but these women need to take a bow!
ReplyDeleteWe do need more people like them!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a nice initiative. Good to know about such people and such services who are doing great work in the field of social service.
ReplyDeleteWow ! What a wonderful thought to help people. Kudos to the efforts of Debbie, definitely we need more people like these to set an example.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great theme, Doc. Very inspiring to see how ordinary people can do extraordinary things and change lives so wonderfully. Thanks for sharing this amazing story.
ReplyDeleteEven trivial things such as cleaning becomes a big issue and its brilliant that such initiatives are started that makes life for those who are suffering. Kudos
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http://phenomenalworld.in/6-ways-using-blunt-edge-of-a-knife/
That's amazing concept and noble work to bring relief to cancer patients in term of responsibility
ReplyDeleteHelping someone clean for free to maintain their home as they are unable to do so themselves is such a noBle thought. Glad to know people like Debbie exist
ReplyDeleteYou need to have a heart of gold to serve people for free. Many are so courageous to oversee their priorities and help others.
ReplyDeleteThis is truly a selfless act. She could well be a riche-rich had she chosen to make money instead. Totally inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful gesture :) So glad you are doing this again, doc. Amidst so much negativity in the news and feeds today, one can find their solace in knowing that kindness still exists. Two thumbs up!
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