Remembering Rina Johnson
Amy’s Treat lost one of our own on January 14, 2011, when Rina Johnson passed away due to complication associated with multiple myeloma. Rina first came to us as a recipient of an Amy’s treat after the challenges became too overwhelming of getting to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she received additional treatment to that which she received at the Seacoast Cancer Center. At the suggestion of Dr. Shea Civiello, it was arranged that Michael D., who owns a tour and transportation company called Port City Tours, would provide Rina with rides into Boston. Rina and Michael became fast friends; and it was in the passenger’s seat of his van that her enthusiasm for Amy’s Treat was born.
We soon discovered what all her friends and family knew, Rina was never one to keep her opinions to herself and as her health allowed she became one of our most vocal supporters. When it came time to select a speaker to address the crowd at our annual Amy in Bloom Auction in May, 2009 about “how Amy’s Treat works”, the obvious choice was Rina. Her eloquent and heartfelt speech, which is found here, brought home to many people who were learning about us for the first time the essence of our mission and helped us to raise an enormous amount of money that fueled us through 2009 and beyond.
As we were still a relatively new organization and in the process of defining our place in the journey of a cancer patient and their families, Rina began to share with us her hopes for Amy’s Treat. Now, because of her expansive vision and compassionate soul, a number of patients transitioning away from active treatment and finding solace and recovery in a survivorship program at The Works Health and Fitness Club find their memberships paid for by Amy’s Treat when that luxury never would have been an option due to financial constraints.
Additionally, Rina’s deep understanding and appreciation of the healing properties of mutual support and shared experience prompted the creation of our very popular group outing program. In just over a year’s time, a number of people – current and former patients and their family members – have taken part and enjoyed memorable excursions as diverse as: enjoying first-class productions at the Seacoast Repertory Theater in Portsmouth, NH; cheering at a Seadog game in Portland, ME; or, on a bright fall day in 2010 standing knee deep in the Cocheco River in Dover, NH learning how to fly fish.
For all that we were able to do for Rina as a cancer patient, she gave us much more in return and for that we are extremely grateful. She made a difference within our humble organization that will be felt and appreciated by those who battle this awful disease for many years to come. We are a better organization because of her and we’ll miss her warm and giving spirit, her laughter and her unique and compelling vision. Rest in peace, dear friend.
