A rainy Friday in early September found Bart Miltenberger and Christopher Plant on  the doorstep of The Breathing Room Foundation.  In May, the two had held the first “ An Act of Sara” concert in memory of Bart’s wife, Sara Goldschneider, who had passed away in January after a fierce five year battle with leukemia at the age of 40.

            The concert featured five well-established kid bands, including Miltenberger’s son, Julian, and his band, Dog Event. There was also a D.J. and three emcees.  The bands were actual working bands that are normally paid to perform. All of the performers were from the Philadelphia region.

            All of the proceeds of the event, $4,000.00, went to The Breathing Room Foundation, an organization based in Jenkintown that provides care and support to local families affected by cancer. Miltenberger chose the foundation since it was integral in helping him and Sara over the course of her five-year-plus struggle with cancer.

Sara, an ESL teacher and mother of three sons – Julian, Miles and Gabriel, played the piano. It was Sara who encouraged their sons with private music lessons.  The concert was a fitting tribute to her memory.

            The title of the concert, “An Act of Sara,” comes from the phrase “a random act of kindness”.  Miltenberger knew Sara would want something positive to come out of her struggle.  He decided to involve himself and others in deeds of good will, all in the name of Sara, as an “Act of Sara.”

“We wanted this to be a positive thing, built around kids and built around music, and it’s for a good cause,” Miltenberger said. “We want people to have a fun, safe and good time.”

            Both Miltenberger and Plant are looking towards an even larger event next year.

            The funds raised will allow The Breathing Room Foundation to continue to provide local families affected by cancer with items such as medical needs not covered by insurance, groceries, utility bills paid, and transportation to and from treatments.  To donate and volunteer, go to www.breathingroomfoundation.org.  Over $.90 of every $1.00 goes directly to programs.

The Breathing Room Foundation

The Breathing Room Foundation is best characterized as neighbors helping neighbors impacted by cancer.  Established in 1997, the Breathing Room Foundation has grown from supporting seven families the first year to serving 628 new families in 2014.  Our mission is to provide care and support to families affected by cancer.  We recognize that a cancer diagnosis affects every aspect of a family’s life:  emotional, physical, spiritual, and financial.  We strive to provide a family with whatever it is that will allow them a bit of “breathing room” from their daily struggle against cancer.  It is our hope that this will allow them to concentrate all of their efforts towards regaining their physical health.