An Orillia business is offering free cleaning services to cancer patients.
Lakeside Cleaning Professionals has partnered with Cleaning for a Reason, a non-profit organization that offers cleaning services to cancer patients cost-free for two months.
Lakeside Cleaning Professionals owner, Sarah Thompkins, says the program provides her an opportunity to give back to the community.
“We’ve tried other ways to give back to the community on a smaller scale, but this is an ongoing service,” she explained. “It matches really well with what I want to do.”
Thompkins believes the program will be rewarding for her and the business.
“We’ve been able to connect with a couple of locals so far and we’ve loved it,” she said. “It’s kind of beyond what I imagined.”
As it has for many people, cancer has touched the lives of people Thompkins loves and cares for.
“My best friend has been on a reoccurring journey with cancer,” she said. “I have a couple of family members who have been diagnosed as well.”
At her last workplace, Thompkins’ boss was diagnosed with cancer, which was a huge eye-opener for her.
“He was a very healthy, fit, and strong business owner,” she said. “It was a brain tumour that he was really struggling with, and he went downhill.”
Seeing first-hand the deterioration that cancer can cause really struck Thompkins.
“His body, his muscle mass, his memory, his relationship with people, it all regressed,” she said. “It really hit home for me.”
For people suffering from cancer, Thompkins says she can’t even imagine what it’s like trying to keep up with things at home.
“For anyone who is fighting cancer, that should be the last thing they have to worry about — especially if they have a family or kids,” she said.
Having cleaning services while dealing with illness can help emotional and mental well-being Thompkins says.
“Your environment can impact you on a day-to-day,” she said. “We are here to help with that.”
