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Close-up of Kay Boyd Rowe and her husband, Robin. Both are grinning as they stand side by side for a selfie-styled photo on a sunny day. In the background, it looks like they are at an ocean or lake as there is a glimpse of water in the background. Kay, looking to be in her 50s-60s, is on the left of the frame with short, spikey brown hair and bangs. She is wearing rectangular wire-framed black prescription glasses, a red floral v-neck shirt, and a copper-colored necklace comprised of circular flat beads around her neck. Robin, on the right of the frame, also looks to be in his 50s-60s with white-gray stubble on his face and neck. He is wearing a worn dark blue ballcap, rectangular transitional prescription glasses, and a red Nike polo shirt.

Parking with Purpose: Kay Day

By: Shannon Kroskie Smith

Kay Boyd Rowe was generous with her time and talent, never missing an opportunity to lend a hand to another and living by the motto “Love First.” After her passing in May 2023, her husband Robin, along with many friends and family, wanted to honor her legacy by helping other UPMC Hillman patients.

During her 20-plus years as a Hillman patient, Kay and Robin often made the two-hour journey from their DuBois home to meet with Kay’s oncologist, Dr. John Kirkwood. On one memorable occasion, they were pleasantly surprised to find out that parking was complimentary, thanks to a generous Hillman donor. This act of kindness deeply touched Kay and Robin, sparking Kay’s desire to one day provide the same gift to other patients. “We both thought that it was the coolest thing,” Robin recalled. “We talked about it during our drive home and Kay said that she wanted to do that someday.”

Robin was determined to honor Kay’s wish to pay it forward. During Kay’s celebration of life in May 2023, he shared her desire to provide free parking to Hillman patients with their friends and family. The response was overwhelming, with the community rallying together to make Kay’s dream a reality. This led to the first Hillman “Kay Day” on June 23, Kay’s birthday, where seven friends and family members, all wearing “Kay Day – No one Fights Alone” T-shirts, joined Robin at Hillman to greet patients and caregivers and extend Kay’s generous spirit with free parking for UPMC Hillman’s Shadyside campus patients.

On that first Kay Day, 273 cars were gifted free parking. Additional funds donated provided three more Kay Days in August, in celebration of Kay and Robin’s wedding anniversary, impacting over 1,200 patients.

Over the past nine months, with the unwavering support and assistance of Kay’s close friends Michelle Polohonki and Dory Ferra, Robin has been instrumental in establishing the “Kay Days” non-profit organization. This initiative is dedicated to raising funds to annually provide free parking days for patients at UPMC Hillman, a testament to the lasting impact of Kay’s generosity.

On June 22, 2024, Robin and the team will host their first fundraiser at the Pulaski Club in DuBois. The day will celebrate Kay and include live music, food, and a basket raffle. Their goal is to be able to provide a full five-day week of free parking to Hillman patients.

Kay would not let cancer stop her from helping others. Her loving husband, family, and friends carry on her generous spirit.