Lisa, left, leads the Jaywalkers team on Walk Day.

Why We Walk: Honoring Jay, Supporting Hospice

When you look out at the field of participants at the Walk for Hospice, the Jaywalkers are hard to miss – bright white shirts with a modified Superman logo. And there are lots of them.

"I thought I might get 20 to 25 people to join me," said team captain Lisa. "But when I started asking around and posting about the Walk on Facebook, I was overwhelmed. It ended up being like 60 people."

They came out to honor Lisa's son Jay, who at just 30 years old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer. He died just weeks later in 2023.

Jay had a big smile – and was known for his generosity. Lisa may have been overwhelmed by the walk sign-ups, but they reflected the lives he had touched. On the backs of each of their shirts is an emoji that Jay had picked out for himself years earlier – a small way that each walker on the team carries him with them.

While the Walk serves as a day for friends and family to remember Jay, it’s also about supporting an organization that is so important to Lisa.

After she had "semi-retired,” Lisa was exploring places to volunteer. Care Dimensions felt like a natural fit, but those plans were put on hold when her father – Jerry – entered hospice.

Jerry had lived most of his life in Gloucester, and he and his wife – Lisa's mom Bonnie – were committed to keeping him in a familiar place as his dementia progressed.

Care Dimensions supported that goal during his final two months, including an important benefit for Bonnie: respite care. It meant Jerry could spend a week at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, giving Bonnie a break while a full team at the house looked after him.

"Oh my God, what an amazing place," recalls Lisa, comparing the house to a luxury hotel staffed by health professionals.

After a week away, Jerry returned home to their neighborhood in Magnolia, where Bonnie had a room set up so he could see the water and be at peace.

"Being able to die at home just meant so much to him," recalls Lisa. "He got to die in a place that he'd lived in for the past 60-plus years, so that meant a lot."

Jerry’s peaceful death reaffirmed Lisa’s support for hospice and Care Dimensions. Just six months later, her son Jay’s diagnosis and sudden decline reminded her that life is precious and unpredictable.

Both losses fortified her resolve to volunteer at Care Dimensions, where she now works at the front desk once a week and hopes to soon take on more patient-centered roles. The experiences led Lisa to the Walk for Hospice, where she could honor Jay while supporting other families facing serious illness. (pictured on the right: Jay and Jerry)

The Jaywalkers are again signed up for the 2026 Walk, and Lisa says her team is ready to grow.

"After I posted pictures last year on Facebook, I had even more people tell me 'I'm with you next year,'" she said.

Before walkers step off, there is music, snacks, areas for dogs, and little reminders of what the day is all about – like colorful pinwheels that can be personalized with the names of those you're walking for.

"Obviously, it's very sad when you lose a loved one, but when you can get out with family members and friends and walk in their honor, you feel proud," Lisa said.

"Hopefully those people are looking down at us and very proud of us for raising money for a great organization. But it's also being able to spend time with your friends and family, have a nice walk, and spend a nice day together honoring somebody you loved."

Even for those who were unable to be there in person, Lisa said posting her fundraiser online made her realize the scope of the impact Care Dimensions has across the region.

"I think so many people have been touched by Care Dimensions. I was amazed at how many people donated and wrote little notes about how much Care Dimensions meant to their families."

Who will you walk for at this year's Walk for Hospice? Learn how to start a team at CareDimensions.org/Walk