For women going through the physical, emotional and financial challenges of dealing with cancer, having a dirty home becomes a huge burden. It is made worse by the side effects of recovering from surgery and chemotherapy.
"I just didn't have the energy to do everything. It makes you feel like a bad mom when you can't do that stuff, and a bad wife because you can't help everyone out," said Lesley Maloney, 34, who is battling a second bout of an aggressive form of cervical cancer.
Many people don't realize it but there is help available - and it is free.
A national non-profit organization called "Cleaning for a Reason" works with local cleaning companies to provide trained maids who will do everything from dusting to cleaning bathrooms.
There is a limit on the number of free house cleanings that a patient can get but it is meant to provide some help during the difficult period of recovery.
Maid Brigade of WNY is one of the companies that helps local women dealing with cancer. For owner Kathleen Hall, the service is a way to give back to the community. There is also a personal connection because Hall has battled cancer herself three times.
"Our goal is to take one aspect of the chores away from them so they can recuperate and focus on being with their family," said Hall.
A doctor's note is required for the application which is submitted through the Cleaning for a Reason website.
You can find a link to Cleaning for a Reason here: http://cleaningforareason.org
You can find a link to Maid Brigade of WNY here: http://www.maidbrigadewny.com/?utm_source=ReachLocal&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MaidBrigadeWesternNewYork&scid=3353719&cid=2252286&tc=17050809310845899&rl_key=236d77a85a3dbc41a4c1e9197fc33301&kw=40307&pub_cr_id=190628732137&dynamic_proxy=1&primary_serv=www.maidbrigadewny.com&rl_track_landing_pages=1&rl_retarget=1
Tonight in a special report at 11p.m., 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly takes a closer look at the special program and how it is helping local cancer patients.
