About Us
Our Mission
Marci and Peter
Crossing the Finish Line is a non-profit organization that assists young cancer patients and their caregivers. Inspired by the late Peter R. Bossow, Jr., our mission is to offer young adult cancer patients and their families a hopeful respite from the unyielding physical and emotional demands of treatment during the throes of a courageous battle.
Our patients become “Sailors” and they retreat on “excursions” to environments that are relaxing, comfortable, and secure. Eligible Sailors, along with their caregivers, receive a one-week expense-paid excursion to select locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, and California.
The lasting memories from their excursions help these “Sailors” recognize that it is their priceless lives, not their cancer, that define them. We aim to strengthen the hearts, minds, and souls of these courageous individuals as they battle the psychological, emotional, economic, and spiritual trauma that accompanies a cancer diagnosis.
We invite you to join the crew of Crossing the Finish Line as we strengthen the hearts, minds and souls of young adult cancer patients and their families.
“A family from Doylestown donated their Pocono Lake House to our family for one week. My Tom and I traveled to Lake Carey, PA the week of February 25th. The experience was just as CFL describes. We left behind the stressful appointments, chemotherapy, exhaustion, bickering and hectic lifestyle.”- Heather O. Sweeney
Our History
In July 1998, Peter Bossow, Jr. received devastating news — he had cancer. The diagnostic CT scan revealed a mediastinal mass of germ cell origin. Could this be true? Immediate emotions of shock, fear, anger, disbelief and hopelessness swept into the life of Peter and his wife Marci as the diagnosis was finalized.
How could this be happening? The dreadful word heard so many times before but never imagined in the life of a vibrant young man. Cancer. Testicular Cancer. Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumor. Acute Myleocytic Leukemia. These words replaced all prior vocabulary lessons and would permanently alter Peter's life and forever modify that of his wife, his family and his friends. One short year after his diagnosis, Peter's journey on earth ended prematurely at the age of thirty.
In the midst of his illness, his community of friends and family, helpless bystanders to this tragic disease, rallied in support and hosted a “beef and beer event” in his and his wife's honor. At the conclusion of a festive evening, the community presented funds for the two to use at their discretion.
With these funds, Peter and Marci embarked on a three-week adventure to the Caribbean region. This opportunity was special. It became a lasting memory of travel 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.
Today this opportunity comes alive for others like Pete and Marci with the programs sponsored by Crossing the Finish Line. We invite you to join our endeavor as we strengthen the hearts of young adult cancer patients and their families. Welcome aboard! If you would like to share your story with Marci, email her at marci@crossingthefinishline.org
Our Name and Logo
The name Crossing the Finish Line captures Peter’s perspective upon completion of his initial treatment phase and also represents the subsequent getaway he and his wife Marci shared: a respite from the countless hours of needles, tests, nausea, hair loss and the many sacrifices they endured.
To Peter, Crossing the Finish Line also spoke of a spiritual journey, a course through the process of life and death that we all must travel. A rainbow and sailboat compose our logo. In Peter’s final days, he would say, “The rainbow bus is coming to pick me up but it's not my turn yet.” The boat recalls the retreat in which he and his wife realized that was their priceless life together, not the cancer, that defined them.
CFL Brochure
Take a look at our brochure. It provides a brief overview of Crossing the Finish Line, our history and ways for you to become involved (ie. Donate your home, provide financial support or an in-kind donation, etc.). View our brochure and share it with your friends.
CFL Newsletter
“Tell Tales” is a fun and effective way of communicating with you while saving money on funding for the expenses related to printing and mailing a paper newsletter. Cutting the costs associated with a paper newsletter, CFL directs more funds toward our program and fundraising.
“Tell Tales” is a great way to keep sailors, donors and supporters of CFL all over the country updated with the great work that we do. With nearly 2,000 e-mails receiving “Tell Tales” monthly, CFL’s Community is an educated one. Most “Tell Tales” newsletters include a featured sailor story, updates on ongoing appeals, and previews of upcoming events and reviews of past events.
For more information about CFL, the “Tell Tales” E-Newsletter please e-mail us at info@crossingthefinishline.org or call the office at 267.708.0510.
