How an FPS Cancer Respite Experience Became Part of Allison Casperson’s Healing Journey

Allison Casperson didn’t set out to become a children’s author. She wrote Strong Like Mom because, while navigating cancer as a mother of two young boys, she needed a book that could help her children understand what their family was going through—and that book didn’t exist yet.

At just 33 years old, Allison was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma. Her treatment included chemotherapy, targeted immunotherapy, and a double mastectomy. She completed eight of the planned 15 rounds of Perjeta before allergic reactions made continuing the medication too difficult, and she completed all 15 rounds of Herceptin. Following her double mastectomy, Allison received the incredible news that she had achieved a complete response to chemotherapy.

Even with encouraging results, healing from cancer involved more than completing treatment. Allison credits her care team, family, friends, faith, and community with helping her through one of the most difficult seasons of her life.

Finding Healing Through Respite

In November 2025, Allison and her family had the opportunity to attend a Respite Experience through For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. After so much of their lives had revolved around cancer, the experience gave them something incredibly meaningful: the chance to step away from the stress of treatment, reconnect, and simply enjoy being together as a family.

“For one week, we were able to focus on making memories together instead of appointments, treatments, and the stress that cancer can bring.”

For Allison, respite became an important part of healing. It created space to breathe, to be present with her family, and to begin moving forward from a season that had demanded so much from all of them.

The experience also connected Allison’s family with other families who understood what it meant to have their lives affected by cancer. That sense of connection was especially meaningful after a journey that could often feel isolating.

“It reminded us that we were not alone. It gave us hope, support, and precious time together as a family.”

One of Allison’s favorite memories was a huge snowball fight with her boys and the other families on the trip. “It was such a simple but special moment that allowed us to laugh, have fun, and just be present together.”

Those moments of laughter and normalcy were part of what made the experience so healing. For a family that had spent so much time navigating appointments, treatments, and uncertainty, being able to focus on one another and make joyful memories offered a different kind of care.

“That week was truly transformative for our family, allowing us to relax, make meaningful memories together, and return home with a renewed sense of hope and connection.”

Turning a Difficult Journey Into Hope

Allison’s experience as both a mother and a cancer patient inspired Strong Like Mom, a children’s book created to help families navigate conversations about cancer with honesty, gentleness, and hope.

The story follows a family of elephants whose lives change when their mother becomes seriously ill with cancer. Young elephants Bubba and Peanut don’t fully understand what cancer means, but they know something at home has changed.

What follows is a story about what families do during life’s hardest seasons: they show up for one another. They lean on their faith. They find moments of lightness, even on the heaviest days. And when the storm comes, they cross the river together.

Strong Like Mom ends where every good bedtime story should – with the family home, held, and stronger than before.

Her experience with For Pete’s Sake gave her family the opportunity to step outside of cancer for a little while and rediscover the simple moments together that had always mattered most.

Helping Other Families Find Their Own Moments of Healing

Today, Allison hopes Strong Like Mom can help other families facing cancer feel supported, understood, and less alone.

A portion of the proceeds from Strong Like Mom will benefit For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation, helping more cancer patients and their loved ones experience the healing power of respite and the gift of meaningful time together as a family.

You can learn more about Allison’s story and pre-order Strong Like Mom at allisoncasperson.com.