La Salle Alum starts non-profit organization

By Jen Colletta
Collegian Editor
January 31, 2007

When Peter R. Bossow, Jr. was diagnosed with cancer in July 1998, he never would have imagined that the help and support that his friends and family provided for him would have such lasting effects. The non-profit organization, Crossing the Finish Line, was begun by Bossow’s wife, Marci, and although the group provides aid for cancer-stricken families across the country, it also has some very close ties to the La Salle community.

Bossow is a graduate of La Salle and was a member of the Sigma Phi Lambda fraternity. When news spread of Bossow’s illness, loved ones organized a beef and beer in his honor and presented Bossow and his wife with a monetary donation to use at their discretion; the young couple chose to embark on a three-week Caribbean vacation, escaping the pressures and challenges of a life ravaged by cancer.

Bossow passed away within a year of discovering he had cancer. Unsure of how to deal with the pain that accompanied her husband’s death, Marci, who is also a La Salle grad, chose to express her grief in the most selfless way possible: giving to those whose lives were being threatened by cancer. The vacation that she and her husband had taken to the Caribbean provided them both with much more than some time on the beach and a tan.

As the Crossing the Finish Line Web site describes, “[The vacation] became a lasting memory which knew no financial boundaries, no select agenda, celebrated the preciousness of life, relished the intimacy of husband and wife, honored the present as it existed and commemorated the unique connection of love for a spouse, family member and friend.”

Marci and others who were close to Bossow hoped that other families would be able to experience such a necessary and refreshing change in their routines. With hospital bills and medications so pricey, however, they knew that they would have to work diligently in order to make this dream a reality for these patients.

Now, nine years later, Crossing the Finish Line has helped hundreds of families all along the East Coast who are in need of a respite from the illness in their lives. Patients must be between 24 and 50 years of age and live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware and be battling some form of cancer. If a patient is chosen, he or she and the primary caregiver are whisked away to one of several CFL sites across the country. Vacation homes are available in Florida, the Poconos, the Jersey shore, North Carolina and California.

The patients, whom the organization refers to as “sailors,” are provided with plenty of spending money, toiletries, cameras and inspirational writings about their journey. They are even escorted to and from the airport in a limousine. All of this is made possible by the generosity of those who recognize the need for cancer patients to have a relaxing, enjoyable trip before returning to their treatment.

One such person is a recent graduate of La Salle, Amber Gruver. Gruver, who graduated from the University last May, works as an administrative assistant for the organization. After graduation, the communication and English major was job hunting and heard about the opening at the non-profit organization.

“I saw myself headed in two completely different directions after graduation. Part of me wanted to throw myself into journalism, but there was always something inside of me that pulled me towards working in the non-profit field.  I wanted to feel as though I was making a difference in the lives of others,” Gruver said.

Gruver, like most Americans today, understands the pain that accompanies losing a loved one to cancer. Her great-grandfather lost his battle with cancer several years ago, but unlike many of the patients who work with CFL, “he had gotten the chance to live a full life.”

“While working at CFL, I have gotten a much better understanding of the way that cancer can disrupt a young person’s life.  So many of our patients are newly married or have young children,” Gruver said. “A diagnosis must be more devastating to this demographic than to an older demographic; however, there are so few organizations that look out for this group of adults.”

Since non-profit organizations often have difficulties staffing their offices, Gruver’s position allows her to work in several different areas. She takes care of administrative duties, manages volunteers and plans a variety of fundraising events.

“Each day is different and fast-paced, and you never know what to expect,” she said.

The work that Gruver puts into planning such events as the Beach Ball Gala, Sail the Trail Walk and Fashion Show plays a large role in sending many patients on their vacations.

“The excursions that we provide are about much more than just a ‘fun trip.’  It allows these brave men and women to reflect upon their diagnosis, spend precious time with their loved ones and become at peace with the curveballs that life has thrown at them,” Gruver said.

Recently, La Salle students from Bossow’s fraternity, Sigma Phi Lamba, volunteered at the organization’s Seventh Annual Beach Ball Gala.

“Now that I work for a non-profit and manage volunteers, I have a great respect for people who so willingly volunteer their time. I know that La Salle offers students various volunteering opportunities, and I commend the University on the efforts to encourage students to give back,” Gruver said.

Everyone involved with the organization, both employees and volunteers, is able to see their hard work pay off, as patients praise their efforts in this unique endeavor.

“So many of our sailors return and send us all thank you letters explaining that they never even knew how much they needed a vacation,” Gruver said. “They come back with a fresh outlook on life, ready to face the next phase of treatment.”

If you want to help make a difference for families in need, you can visit Crossing the Finish Line’s Web site at www.crossingthefinishline.org.

“At CFL, our volunteers are precious to us.  Volunteering provides a great learning experience, it’s great for networking and it’s absolutely necessary for your resume,” Gruver said.

colletaj1@lasalle.edu