Recognition Reception Honoree
The Breathing Room Foundation, Inc.

The Breathing Room Foundation, Inc. is a local outreach program serving families who have a member diagnosed with cancer and who live in a 20-mile radius of Jenkintown.  Founded in 1997 by Diane and Bernie Fitzgerald near the end of Diane’s six-year battle with breast cancer, this organization served as a way to give back for all of the support that had been given to their family during their most difficult days.  The mission of the Foundation is to enable families to have needed “breathing room” in their daily struggle with cancer, realizing that a cancer diagnosis affects every aspect of a family’s life--financial, emotional, physical and spiritual. 

In 2007, The Breathing Room Foundation reached out to more than 400 families with a member living with cancer.  It has become one of the primary resources for hospice families, the social worker in area hospitals, and other healthcare professionals.  As it gains recognition within the community, the Foundation expects an increase in both the number of families served as well as the number of volunteers helping to make its work possible.  The organization is unique because it offers services to each family on a very personal level, addressing specific needs.  Those services include financial assistance toward medical bills and co-pays, prescription costs, groceries, clothing, and other necessary items.  Additional services may be offered, including housecleaning, yard work, childcare, companionship, transportation, small home repairs, delivery of home-cooked meals, and nursing care, all administered by many volunteers.  Additionally, families are included throughout the year in the Foundation’s applicable programs such as The Easter Basket,  Summer Fun, and Back-to-School programs; and the Thanksgiving Dinner, Holiday Gift, and Holiday Festival programs—all designed to provide families with relief from some of the stresses that certain times of the year can bring.

The Breathing Room Foundation has become not only a vital resource to local  families living with a cancer diagnosis, but also a place for many teens and adults to give their time.  Foundation members believe that volunteering to make a positive difference in others’ lives is essential to living a healthy, happy, and fulfilled life.  It is evident that most people want to help others; they just need to have the opportunity and  direction.  By getting more people involved in their work, they are not only able to assist more families, but also are able to give those in our community the opportunity to be compassionate to others in their time of need.  The most important thing about volunteering for The Breathing Room Foundation is that there is an opportunity for everyone to help.  You do not have to have a great deal of time or money to contribute.  Each person can extend even small gestures of kindness to make a difference for those living with cancer.

Over the years The Breathing Room Foundation has been recognized in the following ways:

• The Komen Grant each year since 2000 for Outreach to those living with breast cancer
• Director acknowledged in 2005 as one of the 40 Local Legends  by KYW News Radio
• Humanitarian Organization of the Year award in 2003 from Eastern Montgomery Chamber of Commerce
• Community Outreach Award from The Montgomery County Advisory Council to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

The Breathing Room Foundation believes that the people of Abington and Rockledge are compassionate and willing to give of themselves to make a positive difference in the lives of others.  The school districts do an excellent job of directing to them those young people who are interested in volunteering.  Community businesses are always willing to contribute to their fundraisers and help raise awareness in various ways.

Their vision for the community is to get as many individuals involved in volunteering as possible to ease the suffering of those who have been diagnosed with cancer.  They also envision an increase in the strong feeling of community that is obtained when one individual reaches out to another with the sole purpose of showing compassion to their neighbor.  This alone will make Abington and Rockledge a stronger community.

A future community goal is to promote youth understanding of the importance of volunteering and to continue providing them with these opportunities.  Getting children involved at an early age is vital so that they will continue to give to others as they enter into their adult years. 

The Abington Community Taskforce is grateful to have such a caring organization coming to the aid of families in need and stirring others to compassionate service.

[Back to the Special Events page]