Fighting cancer is hard enough. Everyone deserves to heal in a clean, peaceful space.
How one Crothall team is bringing comfort and control to patients in treatment
When you’re in the middle of treatment for gynecologic cancer, even simple things like cleaning your home or apartment can feel impossible.
“Because I was mentally foggy from chemo, I didn’t have the strength,” Diane, one of the first patients in the program, explained. “Their care and respect made me feel less overwhelmed.”
That’s where the Woman-to-Woman Cleaning program steps in.
The program began when Woman-to-Woman, a national nonprofit supporting patients with gynecologic cancers, received a grant to fund supportive services for women undergoing treatment. Housecleaning was one of the most immediate needs identified. Mount Sinai Hospital’s EVS team, staffed and supported by Crothall Healthcare, responded by providing trusted, hospital-trained cleaning professionals who could extend their care into the home.
Team members like EVS director Benjamin Colon and assistant director Idolca Cepeda were among the first to step forward, bringing the same care and attention they deliver every day inside the hospital to the homes of patients in treatment. They were soon joined by housekeepers Katty Lantigua and Cindy Diaz, more team members eager to make a difference.
“We didn’t hesitate,” Idolca shares, “We were all anxious to start helping as soon as we heard about the program.”
Support shaped by comfort and choice
Each part of the cleaning program was built to support patients on their terms. Each patient reviews a set of profiles and selects the housekeeper and supervisor that best fits their needs. That choice matters. It provides something often lost during cancer treatment—control.
For Diane, the team’s respect and care stood out most.
Our team brings each home the same level of detail and care they apply inside the hospital setting. They follow the standards of our Positive Impressions program, which focuses not only how to clean/sanitize, but also on how to engage patients and families. From high-touch disinfection to high-profile cleaning techniques, our staff know how to create a space that feels safe and cared for, because they do it in clinical settings every day.
Living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms are treated with the same attention we give to ICU rooms and surgical suites. And just like in the hospital, the goal is never just cleanliness: it’s comfort, familiarity, and a sense of calm.
A quiet impact with lasting meaning
Diane, one of the first patients to participate, was in treatment for stage four ovarian cancer. She shared how much the service meant to her.
“When they told me they would even come out to clean my house, it was like I got a million dollars. It made a world of difference.”
Because this work happens inside patients’ homes, the team approaches every visit with care and discretion. There are no before-and-after photos—just deeply personal moments of relief and gratitude. Patients welcome us into their private spaces during a vulnerable time, and we don’t take that trust lightly.
It’s not just about keeping things clean. It’s about lifting a burden so patients can focus on rest, recovery, and the moments that matter most.
Looking ahead with heart
Today, the Woman-to-Woman cleaning program serves patients across New York City and nearby communities. It’s a local program grounded in a national mission and one that could be scaled further as more hospitals recognize the power of non-clinical support.
As more referrals come in, the team stands ready. They’re not just bringing mops and vacuums. They’re bringing consistency, dignity, and a reminder that no one has to go through this alone.
Ben is enthusiastic about the potential impact, “We’ll continue growing the program one home at a time. Because a clean space won’t change a diagnosis, but it can help someone find the strength to keep going.”
For Diane, that strength meant more than recovery. It meant the chance to settle into her new home.
“Once we got into the house, the boxes were sitting in the dining room, and I told myself I’d unpack when I felt like it. The team made that possible.
To learn more or refer a patient, contact the Woman-to-Woman program coordinators at Mount Sinai.
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