The Mitten Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Foundation

03/03/2026

03/01/2026

3 years ago today we lost sweet Jason Gentry. Loveling known as Lil’ J. Although brief, Lil’ J left a lasting handprint on my heart and is a huge part of the why behind the forming of The Mitten Foundation. We nurses were lucky to have been a small part of Lil’ J’s journey. With nursing support his family was able to bring him home to be surrounded by Lil’ J’s family and friends. Thank you Gentry family for allowing us to love your sweet boy💙.

02/27/2026

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02/24/2026

Many people ask us, “What’s the difference between pediatric palliative care and hospice care?”

Here’s the simple answer:

✨ Pediatric Palliative Care supports children with serious or life-limiting illnesses at any stage of diagnosis. It can be provided alongside curative treatments. The focus is comfort, symptom management, emotional support, and improving quality of life for both the child and the family.

🤍 Pediatric Hospice Care is for children who are likely in the last phase of life, when the focus shifts fully to comfort rather than cure. Hospice surrounds the entire family with medical, emotional, and spiritual support — ensuring no one walks this journey alone.

Both are rooted in compassion.
Both honor dignity.
Both place the child and family at the center of care.

At The Mitten Pediatric Palliative & Hospice Foundation, we believe every child deserves comfort, love, and specialized support — no matter where they are in their journey. 💕

02/17/2026

10 years ago yesterday I lost my first pediatric patient. This is sweet Finn. I had the honor of holding him, squeezing his little cheeks and rocking him while looking into his precious eyes.

People have ask why the Mitten Foundation was formed. This is our why. Both families and patients deserve the chance to be surrounded by medical care at their most vulnerable and desperate time of need.  Having medical support during these times allow patient’s families to truly be there as parents, siblings and other loved ones. This foundation will make sure families have the much-needed medical support that their insurance companies often do not cover.

Although painful, I am so incredibly blessed to have been a small part of Finn’s life. To this day, I stay in contact with Finns amazing mom.  She is a pillar of strength and embodies grace. I am forver grateful for her trust and for sharing Finns love and short time here on earth with us.

If you would like information about opportunities to volunteer, donate or have any questions please contact me directly.
Hugs,
Heather Kluemper
517-996-2123 

02/08/2026

Pediatric Palliative Care vs. Pediatric Hospice Care 💙

Pediatric palliative care supports children with serious or life-limiting illnesses at any stage of diagnosis. It focuses on comfort, symptom management, and emotional support—while children may still be receiving curative or life-prolonging treatments.

Pediatric hospice care is for children when the focus shifts fully to comfort at the end of life. It surrounds the child and family with compassionate medical, emotional, and spiritual support—honoring every moment together.

Both center on love, dignity, and family—but they serve children at different points in the journey.

Want to know how you can help? Call Heather Lyn Kluemper @ 517.996.2123🩷

01/23/2026

Some journeys are too heavy for families to walk alone.
Some goodbyes come far too soon.

At The Mitten Pediatric Palliative & Hospice Foundation, we exist for the moments no parent ever imagines—when love is fierce, time is precious, and comfort matters more than anything else.

Your donation helps wrap Michigan’s bravest children and their families in compassion—providing comfort care, emotional support, resources, and dignity during life’s most fragile moments. It means less fear, more peace, and the reminder that no family is ever alone.

Every dollar is a hand to hold.
Every gift is a breath of relief.
Every act of generosity becomes part of a child’s story of love.

If your heart feels called, please consider donating or sharing this message. Together, we can be the mitten that holds families close when they need it most. 🩷



Please visit www.themittenfoundation.org to learn more or to donate. Interested in learning more- contact Heather Lyn Kluemper at 517-996-2123🩷

01/14/2026

"Grief and joy arrive together more often than we expect. Not fighting, not taking turns. Just here.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​"

Joy can coexist with grief or sorrow and laughter can share space with pain. There is nothing “wrong” with you if your days are still feeling tough—you’re not a burden, you’re human. Setting the expectation that some days will be hard and others will be easier, that you can hold struggle in one hand and joy in the other, can help you navigate loss and hardship.

🎨 Art by Alessandra Olanow (aolanow on Instagram)

01/08/2026

The Mitten Pediatric Palliative & Hospice Foundation exists for one simple reason: families deserve support when they need it most.

We serve children from birth through age 21 with life-limiting conditions—providing compassionate care, essential resources, and unwavering support to families across Michigan. This is more than care. This is presence. This is love in action.

Thank you to everyone who believes in this mission and is helping us build a future filled with comfort, dignity, and hope. 💗