After retiring in 2008 after 34 years of service with Florida Power & Light Company, Mel Klein, former external affairs manager, has been supporting breast cancer awareness alongside his wife Karen, to give back to the cause. After discovering their daughter Kelly was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, Kelly created their first team and joined the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a fundraising walk in Hillsborough County. Kelly was an attorney and intended to support the organization by volunteering after completing her surgeries, but sadly passed away from breast cancer in December 2017. The family’s efforts towards the cause strengthened, renaming the team “Team KK Remembers.”

Each year, Mel and Karen look forward to supporting the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and honoring Kelly with Team KK Remembers. Almost 40 members, including family and friends, support the team and make strides towards the cause, together. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 fundraising walk was cancelled, but team members took it upon themselves to support Kelly individually by walking on their own wearing their Team KK Remembers T-shirts. Historically the walk hosted over 5,000 participants, raising breast cancer awareness.

When Mel and Karen aren’t advocating breast cancer awareness, they enjoy serving as chapter coordinators for the West Florida retiree network chapter and staying connected to the NextEra Energy family.