What began as an unplanned pregnancy for Mona Maruna at age 18 transformed into a lifelong connection with Womankind.
Life can take many twists and turns. Just ask Mona Maruna, a former Womankind client and now a member of its Board of Trustees. Thirty-six years ago, she had just recently graduated from high school and was ready to go off to college when she found out she was pregnant. Her high school sweetheart, John Maruna, was already in college. “We were 18 and 19 and there was this daunting feeling, ‘I’m going to have a baby!” Sharing those thoughts from long ago, she says, “I remember thinking, ‘How am I going to pay for this? We have no insurance!’” Thinking back on those early years, Mona remembers, “It was just mind-boggling.”
John’s father, a supporter of Womankind, suggested Mona visit their offices at that time located at Mayfield and Green Roads in South Euclid. Mona says she remembers that first visit in September 1984 to Womankind. “I remember going for the first time up the stairs to the clinic. It was an older building.” When she opened the door, she was comforted by her surroundings. “I remember everyone was so kind and reassuring; they took all my apprehensions away.”
John and Mona married in November 1984 and both had jobs but no health insurance to cover Mona’s prenatal care and delivery. “John started working as an orderly at the Cleveland Clinic, but his insurance did not begin until February, 1985 right before the birth of our baby,” explains Maruna. Mona’s pregnancy was considered a preexisting condition, so only the baby and the baby’s hospital stay would be covered by John’s Cleveland Clinic insurance. Mona completed 28 weeks of Womankind prenatal care and then transferred to the former St. Alexis Hospital, where she completed the remainder of care and delivered Tim, the first of four sons for the couple.
Fast forward in life and Mona and John’s sons, Tim, Terry, Michael and Christopher are grown and the family no longer needed the crib that served them well. John Maruna suggested they donate the crib and other baby items to Womankind, reacquainting themselves with the non-profit organization.
John became more involved and accepted a seat on the Board of Trustees. Mona started volunteering in the clinic and doing fundraising. Since that time, John has left the board and Mona replaced him in 2017. Their sons also support the work of Womankind by attending fundraising events.
As a volunteer and a board member, Mona talks to Womankind supporters and clients all the time. She has a unique advantage in having been a client herself, bringing an experienced perspective to those conversations. While the Womankind facilities have changed over 45 years the mission of care has not. “The quality of care is just as good as 36 years ago,” says Mona. “Now though, Womankind has beautiful, well-equipped offices which rival any doctor’s office in town, “ she says proudly of the Transportation Boulevard facility in Garfield Heights.
When Mona talks to people about Womankind, she says they are amazed that all the care is free. “I impress upon them how wonderful the staff and volunteers are, what a great job they do for our clients and how we address the medical and social needs of each woman.” In addition to receiving 28 weeks of free prenatal care, Womankind clients may utilize our layette program after their baby is born for up to two years.” This consists of donated items such as diapers, wipes, formula, clothing and other essentials. These too are free of charge to clients.
Mona and John Maruna’s life took many twists and turns, but somehow the road always came back to Womankind. In fact, the companies Mona and John work for are both Womankind contributors. Mona works in commercial insurance for Alpha Insurance Group and John works in sales for HDS Marketing. Their journey is just one of thousands in the 45-year history of Womankind, a prenatal and maternal care non-profit.
This story first appeared in our Fall 2020 newsletter.
