CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Life changed very quickly for south Charlotte's Amy Patwa.  She and her husband welcomed baby Charis 15 months ago.   When the baby was only seven months old, Patwa noticed a lump in her breast. It was cancer.  She says, "Having a child in and of itself is a lot and then to have the diagnosis, your life just feels so out of control."

Patwa underwent chemo, a double mastectomy and radiation treatment.  She also continued to work part time.  "Cleaning definitely was not on my radar by any means," she says.  

Enter "Cleaning For A Reason."  The non-profit organization partners with cleaning services like Minit Maids to provide free, professional house cleaning for women undergoing any type of cancer treatment.  Women who apply for Cleaning For A Reason have to provide a doctors note.  Once accepted into the program, they get one free home cleaning once a month for four months to get them through chemo.

Kesha Miller had an aunt with cancer and she's seen first hand what the treatment takes out of people.  The Minit Maid employee says, "It's a really good feeling to know that you've helped someone in a time when they really couldn't help themselves."

The owner of Minit Maids, Rick Douglas, made the decision three years ago to partner with "Cleaning For A Reason."  They've helped about 40 women so far.  Douglas says home cleaning fills a gap in cancer patient care.  "It's a personal space, their friends can do errands and things like that but they don't want them cleaning their house," says Douglas.

The four monthly deep-cleaning sessions would typically cost about $500.  But Patwa really values the peace of mind it gives her and her family.  "It's nice to be able at the end of the day to put your feet up and not have to worry about that load of laundry or making the bed or cleaning the toilet," she says.

Patwa just finished her final treatment and she's hopeful about her prognosis.  "Cleaning For A Reason" is always looking for professional cleaning partners because there is no shortage of women in need.  If you'd like more info, click "web links" on our home page.