Blog

What’s the secret to living to 103? Dorothy Clayton, would insist it is eating right and having a purpose in life. Dorothy was born during the 1918 Flu Pandemic.

Her mother didn’t expect the sickly infant to live and didn’t even name her until she made it past her first few days. When the baby girl defied the odds, her father named her “Dorothy,” which means “gift of God.” Dorothy lived with respiratory issues most of her life.

“Democracy is not a spectator sport.” - Marian Wright Edelman

Jerry* prided himself on one simple fact: that in his lifetime, he never missed a single presidential election. Even though he was on hospice care, he wasn’t going to let his age or health keep him from voting again this year. He and his wife Velma reached out to their Nathan Adelson Hospice social worker to ensure he could exercise his civic duty one last time.

"It is the secret of the world that all things subsist and do not die, but retire a little from sight and afterwards return again." —Ralph Waldo Emerson

This couldn’t be more true for Paul, who proudly served his country during the Vietnam War earning himself a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars for his heroic achievements in a combat zone. Throughout his entire life, he had a unique ability to be a positive force to those around him and everyone who knew him loved him. Through donating his corneas, his legacy carries on in others with the healing gift of sight, even after his passing.

Prior to the community-wide shut down in March we had taken 35 applications for our annual grief camp, Camp Erin®. As the community struggled with business closures and supply shortages, we knew we had to start making some decisions about camp. The camp weekend was scheduled to start May 29th. As that date approached quickly, we realized we would have to make alternate plans for this unprecedented pandemic. We knew we wanted to provide grief support to the camper applicants and we also wanted to follow safety guidelines for the campers, volunteers, and staff.

For 20 years, Frank and Ava Martin* dedicated their lives to helping others overcome addiction, as drug and alcohol counselors. The Martins selected Nathan Adelson Hospice for Frank, an Air Force veteran, after his health began to decline. Part of the reason they chose NAH was because Frank’s best friend, also a veteran, raved about the constant support and positive experience his care team provided.

Meet Nathan Adelson Hospice donor and volunteer extraordinaire, Laura Coleman! Laura is a true philanthropist and her impact is felt throughout the Las Vegas community. Laura attributes much of her social awareness to her mother Evelyn. Growing up in the sixties, Laura observed her mother challenging inequality, contributing to social causes, and standing up for human rights and those less fortunate. Laura is kind-hearted, fun and unique. She enjoys life no matter what she is doing and no matter what challenges she is facing.

Irwin Molasky (1927 - 2020)

Founder, Nathan Adelson Hospice

Nathan Adelson Hospice, Southern Nevada’s oldest, largest, and only non-profit hospice, is saddened by the passing of its founder, Irwin Molasky. Molasky died July 4th, 2020, while on service at the hospice he founded. Molasky was a philanthropist, real estate developer, and a Las Vegas icon. Most of all, he was a friend to the entire Nathan Adelson Hospice family. 

“Irwin was a true visionary and a pioneer,” said Nathan Adelson Hospice President and CEO Karen Rubel. “His compassion for people led the way in all he did in life. He always encouraged us to do what’s right, to take care of people and put them first. We will continue to honor that as we uphold his legacy.” 

Molasky founded the hospice in 1978, after the painful death of his friend and mentor, Nathan Adelson. Molasky wanted to ensure no one else would end the journey of life alone, afraid, or in pain. Thanks to his vision, Nathan Adelson Hospice has cared for over 75,000 patients and their families in Southern Nevada to date.

Molasky leaves a lasting legacy in the Las Vegas community. While his accomplishments in real estate development are unparalleled, it is his charitable contributions to our community that so many will cherish. Thanks to him, everyone in our community who needs hospice service has access to it, regardless of their ability to pay. 

“Since the formation of the Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation in 1984, the Foundation has allowed the Hospice to provide over $20 million in uncompensated care to our community,” said friend and Chairman of the Nathan Adelson Hospice Board of Trustees, Dennis Kennedy. “Of all his achievements, I think Irwin would be most proud that what he started will continue to provide dignity, care, and compassion to thousands of people in the years to come.”

All of the Nathan Adelson Hospice family thanks you, Irwin Molasky. You will be missed and your legacy will live on through us.

We see the Nathan Adelson Hospice clinical staff go beyond the call of duty so often, yet to them, it feels like just another day. We applaud that attitude and wanted to share a story from last week.

Imagine being one of the most vulnerable, at-risk groups during this global crisis. Even going to the grocery store can put your health in jeopardy. While memes fly around the internet about the toilet paper shortage, meals and basic supplies to you are no laughing matter.