Maggie (Collins) Erb was a senior at Bishop McDevitt High School when her mom Bernadette died of cervical cancer in 2003.
Her sister Noelle was in eighth grade at Immaculate Conception.
The girls and their dad, Kevin, were fortunate to have a strong family committed to helping the widower with two teenage daughters.
They were also aided by the Breathing Room Foundation, an Elkins Park-based nonprofit that provides care and support to families affected by cancer. Erb recalls the charity providing meals.
“They were very supportive,” Erb said. “They offered any additional support we might need.”
Today, Erb is a Nursing Excellence Coordinator at Jefferson Abington Hospital. Jefferson Health North Region’s Nursing Professional Governance meets monthly and sponsors four volunteer events per year, and Erb suggested supporting a back-to-school supplies drive for the Breathing Room Foundation’s clients.
The drive took place at Jefferson Torresdale, Frankford, Abington, Bucks, Einstein Montgomery and Lansdale hospitals.
Using an Amazon wish list, most of the supplies were sent directly to the Breathing Room Foundation.
Some items were collected at the hospital, giving Erb and Abington RN Justin Murta, co-chair of the NPG, a chance to drop them off at the charity’s office, where they also got to see BRF volunteers in action.
“It was one of those feel-good mornings. We left feeling really good,” Erb said.
Erb is happy with the success of the drive.
“Overall, it was such a great experience,” she said.
The Breathing Room Foundation and its clients were appreciative of the outreach.
Mary Ellen Fitzgerald has been executive director of the Breathing Room Foundation since it formed in 1997. The charity has a close working relationship with social workers at Jefferson Abington and other hospitals, accepting referrals about their cancer patients.
“The importance of our really deep connection with hospitals is why we can be so successful,” Fitzgerald said. “They have been so supportive in understanding our mission. The community getting involved has a lot to do with why our program is so successful.”
The Breathing Room Foundation has an annual back-to-school drive. It’s not cookie cutter, but rather geared toward the wants of individual children.
“I think what makes us unique is we don’t just make 600 backpacks. We make 600 backpacks each for a specific child,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s super important to us.”
The Breathing Room Foundation likes to bring the backpacks to clients rather than simply drop them off on a porch like a package.
“Our connection is very personal with our families,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s hand-to-hand delivery.”
Greg Salicondro, who grew up in Fox Chase and now lives in Oreland, was diagnosed with leukemia in April and is being treated by Jefferson Health.
Salicondro, who turned 40 in June, has a good prognosis. He and his wife, Nicole Wasylenko, have a 5-year-old daughter, Sophia.
A hospital social worker helped secure a portion of the money needed to send Sophia to summer camp, promised to provide gifts at Christmas and offered rides to medical appointments if necessary.
In addition, the family was given a survey to find out Sophia’s favorite colors and other wishes as she prepared for kindergarten at Enfield Elementary School, in the Springfield Township School District.
The backpack was chock-full of everything Sophia needs for school.
“We were taken aback at how beautiful it was. The zippers were bursting at the seams,” Greg said. “She loved it.”
Greg and Nicole were grateful for the thoughtfulness of Jefferson nurses and the personal touch by the Breathing Room Foundation, as Fitzgerald delivered the backpack.
“It was great because it took so much off our plate,” Nicole said. “And it was really special that they came to our house.” ••
