Local, international cleaning businesses provide cancer patients free services
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Families of those fighting cancer not only have to deal with treatment, travel and other additional expenses related to that but also keeping up with the typical day-to-day errands, like cleaning their house.
Although all of this may be too much for them to bear, a national nonprofit and its local partners throughout the U.S. and Canada are helping keep their homes clean at no cost to them.
The nonprofit behind all of this is Cleaning for a Reason, which is operated by ISSA Charities, the charitable arm of the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. Since its inception in 2006, about 1,300 cleaning businesses across the U.S. and Canada have served more than 53,000 cancer patients in this way.
One partnering business in Michigan is Kalamazoo-based Jeannie Cleaning. Its namesake and CEO, Jeannie Henderson, says it’s a cause near and dear to her.
“My mother was diagnosed with cancer, and we were able to provide cleaning for her while she and my father were going through that difficult season of their lives,” she explained. “Just recently, my husband is also being treated for (prostate) cancer. We are dealing with all of the extra appointments we have to have, travel and things like that.”
Local businesses wanting to participate in Cleaning for a Reason need only to donate two free cleanings per month to cancer patients within their service area. Those with Jeannie Cleaning will receive those two free cleanings and can also sign up for a discount afterward.
“We consider it such an honor and a blessing that we are able to take what we do every day and give it as a gift to someone when they’re really in a time of need,” Henderson said.
Cancer centers can also get involved. By registering with Cleaning for a Cause, they can share their services with patients and their families.
In Portage, Jeannie Cleaning’s services took a major weight off the shoulders of resident Theresa Britton, allowing her to focus on fighting an invasive form of breast cancer.
“It’s been very difficult to manage all of that and just to keep up on the day-to-day, things that need to be done. You have a lot of restrictions. For the first six weeks, you can’t pick up anything more than a gallon of milk,” Britton explained. “It is freeing, mentally… emotionally — to be able to just get to the things that you need to really get to, to prioritize. You’re not prioritizing cleaning your kitchen or cleaning your floors or your baseboards — that’s done. That’s peace of mind and I can put my energy elsewhere, where I need to with my health.”
Cancer patients and their families interested in signing up can apply here. For overall information on Cleaning for a Reason, you can access the website here.
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