Pete’s Dream Aims to Redefine Cancer Care with First-of-its-Kind Respite Center in NEPA

For many families, a cancer diagnosis brings more than medical appointments and treatment plans. It also reshapes daily life, placing emotional, financial and caregiving burdens on the entire family.

A new project in northeastern Pennsylvania hopes to provide relief from those pressures.

Pete’s Dream, is a $25 million, 34,000-square-foot cancer respite center being built on 32 acres adjacent to the Woodloch Resort in Lackawaxen Township (near Hawley), Pennsylvania. Set to open in 2027, it is the nation’s first dedicated onsite respite facility of its kind for adult cancer patients, their caregivers, and children.

“It’s really a culmination of 20-plus years of data and working with patients, caregivers, their loved ones and nominating oncology professionals,” said Marci Schankweiler, founder and CEO of the For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. “We’re looking at healing around different pillars,” including family, spiritual, psychosocial, mental and physical health.

The idea traces back to Schankweiler’s late husband, Pete, who envisioned giving other families the same opportunity they experienced during his own cancer treatment.

While receiving care, the couple noticed many patients facing treatment alone. Friends and family helped fund a respite getaway, which Schankweiler says changed their perspective during Pete’s illness. That experience inspired a mission to help other families “rest, reconnect, refresh and heal” while navigating cancer.

Unlike many cancer support programs that focus primarily on patients, Pete’s Dream is intentionally designed for the entire family.

Schankweiler, who cared for her husband during his illness, said caregivers often juggle medical appointments, work and family responsibilities while carrying the emotional weight of supporting a loved one. The foundation hopes to develop targeted programming that helps caregivers return home better equipped to manage those challenges.

“The weight of of being able to cope with this disease and still be able to kind of continue in the functionality of life becomes overbearing. And what we recognize is that our caregivers need this chance to reset too,” Schankweiler said.

The center is the result of a long partnership between the foundation and Woodloch. Schankweiler said the relationship began after a mutual connection introduced her to Woodloch’s Bob Kiesendahl, himself a cancer survivor. Over roughly 15 years, the organizations worked together on respite experiences while gathering data that ultimately shaped the vision for Pete’s Dream.

Families who stay at Pete’s Dream will do so at no cost.

Schankweiler said financial hardship is common during cancer treatment, leaving many families unable to afford time away even when they need it most. Removing that burden is central to the foundation’s mission.

“Financial toxicity during a cancer treatment is pretty much a given. And we see a lot of families undergo a change in financial status, especially with the way that our health system is is operating right now,” she said. “We have decided collectively that our purpose is to help them cope with this disease. And removing that financial strain is one of the tenants of our operations.”

When the center opens, Schankweiler hopes every family leaves with something that lasts beyond their stay.

“No matter where you live,” she said, visitors will take with them “that sense of community, it’s that sense of healing, it’s that sense of hope” as they continue their cancer journey.

Looking ahead, she believes Pete would be proud to see his vision become reality.

“Our own respite helped him through his journey with cancer,” she said. “It’s great to be able to give that same gift…to thousands.”

Image: Artist’s rendering of Pete’s Dream Cancer Respite Center. Pete’s Dream is a non-profit/for profit partnership with Woodloch Resort, who will manage hospitality operations including dining, housekeeping, maintenance, transportation, and guest services. (Pete’sDream.org)