For seven years, Marbleheader Mia Klein has participated in Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston’s annual Walk for Hospice, not knowing one day she would turn to the organization to help her own family.
Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston, the largest non-profit hospice organization in Massachusetts, has for 35 years provided terminally ill patients and their families with hospice and palliative care services.
“The amount of sensitivity, warmth, understanding and commitment everyone from administration to custodial staff give to their patients along with their families is remarkable,” said Klein.
Klein became involved with the annual walk after her dear friend who received in-home care through Danvers-based Kaplan Family Hospice House died from breast cancer in 2005.
“She would have been 48 this year,” said Klein. “So I’ve walked in her honor and memory over the past seven years because she received great care from them.”
Another part of the reason Klein walks has an awful lot to do with the altruistic values – “always give back to the community” – her mother, Roberta Kreplick, instilled in her as a child.
Shortly after Klein got involved with Hospice, her enthusiasm for the organization rubbed off onto her parents, and they, too, began volunteering in Kaplan House’s greeters program.
“When you walked into the Kaplan House, they were right there ready to welcome families and offer their love and support,” said Klein.
In 2012, Klein’s mother was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. For 14 months, she never left her mother’s side as she battled cancer, and over this period of time, Marbleheaders showed their caring colors, says Klein.
“If it wasn’t for our Marblehead friends, we couldn’t have gotten through those months together,” said Klein. “They brought food over, offered their support and took care of the kids, taking them to practices and school functions.”
Roberta and her husband, Hubert, were Marblehead residents for over 35 years, according to Klein. Her mother was a special education teacher at Masconomet Regional High School for many years.
Klein explained she learned even more about the care Kaplan House provides when her mother spent the last 14 days of her life as a resident there.
“What they did for us is immeasurable. When your family is in a deep dark area, they manage to bring you up,” said Klein. “They did so much for us that I will continue to show support and give them the recognition they deserve for as long as I can.”
Two months after they celebrated her 73rd birthday on March 4, 2013, Kreplick died. But before she did, Klein had promised to walk in her honor and memory this September.
“She had input on everything,” Klein recalled, laughing. “Like, she wanted our team to be called ‘Roberta’s Rebels’ and have the tagline, ‘Give ’Em Hell.’”
So when the 26th annual Walk for Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston takes place this Sunday, Sept. 22 at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Klein, her husband and their kids will walk as part of the “Roberta’s Rebels” team but also in Mia’s dear friend’s memory.
“It’s interesting,” said Klein, “that this is really a full circle. All the time that you spend as a volunteer and support causes you don’t ever realize that you may need their services one day.”