Crossing the Finish Line

Welcome Aboard!

Crossing the Finish Line helps families and their loved ones confront cancer hardships together through respite travel experiences which strengthen the healing force of their bonds and create immeasurable joy amidst devastating crisis. Our cancer patients are our "Sailors" and their respites are "excursions." To be considered for an excursion, a Sailor must:

• Have a physician diagnosis of cancer
• Be between the ages of 24-50
• Reside in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware

View a full list of our Program Guidelines to see if you, or some one you know, can be a potential Sailor.

• Sailor - An adult cancer patient who has traveled, or will be traveling, on a CFL respite excursion. When a person enters our program, he/she is no longer just another cancer patient - rather, a brave individual armed with the knowledge and courage to navigate the rough waters ahead in the journey.
• Family - The Sailor's caregiver or spouse and/or children. CFL has a broad definition of the word "family". We believe that family is not only the one you were born into, but also the one you create through relationships with others. Some of our Sailors travel with their best friend, their cousin, their parent or their significant other. Other Sailors travel with their spouse and/or children.
• Respite Excursion - A cost-free, care-free, week-long stay in a secure and comfortable location.
• Port Support - Care beyond the respite excursion; this includes tender love and care for our Sailors and their families in the form of follow up phone calls, referrals to other cancer support organizations, bereavement resources and inspirational materials.

Our History and Our Future

CFL has a rich history. Be inspired by the charity's beginning with a video of Marci Bossow Schankweiler, CFL Founder, sharing her experience with her late husband Peter, sailors telling their stories and CFL Board member Dave Duemler talking about his involvement with the organization. Where does the next decade take us? Read our 2009 Case Statement and be inspired to help our future families. Your support is critical to our success. Learn more about our stewardship of your support in our 2008 Annual Report.

CFL was awarded the Seal of Excellence for successfully completing the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) Standards for Excellence program. As the first nonprofit in Montgomery County and the 34th nonprofit organization in Pennsylvania to receive this distinction, CFL has been recognized as an ethical and accountable organization dedicated to the highest level of excellence within the nonprofit sector. Read more at www.pano.org.

Measuring Our Impact

MBA Students at Saint Joseph's University are measuring the scope of CFL's impact in the community. Please take a moment to fill out their survey. Your feedback is invaluable to our mission! Take the Survey.

Dave Duemler - Sailor, Board Member, Friend

It is with great sadness that we pass along this information. Dave Duemler passed away this weekend ending his long and valiant fight with cancer.

Please take a moment to say a prayer for the Duemler family; Dave leaves behind a wife and daughters who love him very much. The CFL office will be greatly impacted by the loss of his enthusiasm, hope, humor and support.

His obituary can be viewed here.

Adopt a Family Program

Cancer traumatizes the family in seconds. "Normal" life changes instantaneously...never to be the same again. Then comes Crossing the Finish Line - providing imeasurable joy through respite travel experiences and creating memories that last a lifetime because of your generous support.

Can you adopt a CFL family today? Please make a donation of any amount to support the respite of this family, which is scheduled to take place within the next few months.

Dorothy Conway, age 31, has been receiving cancer treatments on and off for the past 10 years. Below is an excerpt from her nomination packet as to what this trip would mean to her and her family. Click on the image to read more and support their family.

CFL's 11th Annual Fashion Show and Dinner

Join us on April 22nd at the upscale Dolce Valley Forge to enjoy a gourmet dinner by Chef Steven Delaney and the Summer Collection 2010 of Joan Shepp from Rittenhouse Square. A fabulous silent and tombola auction will take place with a wide variety of items sure to please everyone. The night will also include two raffles.Read More