When you're in treatment for breast cancer, cleaning the house is the last thing you need to be worrying about. But if you don't do it, who will? Some of us are lucky enough to have family members or friends who pitch in and get the job done. Others are able to turn a blind eye to an extra layer or two of dust. Either way, though, wouldn't it be wonderful to have some professional help?

Cleaning For A Reason Can Help

If you are currently undergoing breast cancer treatment, you may be in luck. Cleaning For A Reason, a national non-profit organization, provides free, professional housecleaning services for women undergoing cancer treatment. Boasting $500,000 worth of cleanings since they were founded in 2006 (that's one housecleaning every 36 minutes), Cleaning for a Reason has been the answer to many women's prayers. The only criteria is that you be currently undergoing cancer treatment - verified by your doctor.

How Does It Work?

The Cleaning for a Reason Foundation maintains a call center that screens and qualifies requests for services. Patients are then matched with a residential cleaning business in their area that has pledged to provide four free housecleaning visits to each woman in the program as long as she is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Are The Cleaning Companies Reputable?

The Foundation recruits only professional housecleaning businesses. The businesses must be insured and/or bonded and perform background checks on their employees. Each cleaning company commits to servicing at least two free accounts per month and contributes monthly financial pledges which are used to help sustain the base operations of the program. Today, there are over 800 Partners offering free services to women through out the United States and Canada.

How To Apply

Visit the Cleaning for a Reason website (see link below) and fill out the online request form for services under the “cancer patient” link. Every week, 50 applications are accepted. By clicking on the “locations” link on the website, patients can see what areas are serviced. Typically the housecleaning businesses serve patients within a 15 mile radius from their business location.

Help Support Cleaning For A Reason

Cleaning for a Reason actively seeks donations from individuals and corporations, as well as grants, to help meet the heavy demand for services. Additionally, sponsorship programs and fundraisers are utilized to help recruit more maid services and expand the organization in order to help more women. If you are in a position to donate (financially or in service), details can be found on the Cleaning for a Reason website (www.cleaningforareason.org).