“Today we gather on this sacred ground – holy not because of what is being built, but because of what will grow here: love, hope and healing,” Dr. David Charles Smith prayed as he asked for God’s blessing during the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley’s recent groundbreaking ceremony at the nonprofit’s South Whitehall office.

“Home is where the heart is and I can assure you that this place will be filled with more heart and more love than you can imagine,” PCFLV Executive Director Michelle Zenie Rounds remarked as she celebrated the start of construction of the new addition to the organization’s headquarters at 4501 Crackersport Road, South Whitehall Township.

PCFLV purchased the property in 2024 and has been working to turn it into a “home” for those they serve. Rounds considers them “our big extended family.”

The executive director explained the 1,088-square-foot new building connected to the organization’s headquarters will provide needed program and event space.

PCFLV Board President Nicole Thomas expressed gratitude to her fellow board members, PCFLV staff, MKSD Architects, Jerdon Construction and Keystone Engineering for their “hard work.”

Rounds, staff and others involved in the project donned hard hats, picked up shovels and ceremonially turned over dirt to officially mark the beginning of construction.

The project is projected to wrap up by March 2026. Rounds expresses hope the new construction will be completed in time to be celebrated at the annual Hearts of Gold Gala later that month.

Graze Craze and Truffle Bar have catered the event.

The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley provides free programming and services to local children with cancer and their families.

For more information, call 484-221-9294 or visit www.pcflv.org.