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The one hundred honoree: Geri Keegan

Donor Story

The one hundred honoree: Geri Keegan

by
Mass General Giving

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer, and difficult to treat. Since being diagnosed with it in 2013, Geri Keegan has remained absolutely determined to fight it, demystify it and support all those who have been affected by it. She has endured surgery and a remarkable amount of treatments. In fact, Geri is on pace to break the known record of 59 rounds of a particular chemotherapy.

Despite the disease, and the number of absolutely staggering complications that have accompanied it, Geri carries on. She’s attended lab tours with Mass General scientists. She works with the TargetCancer Foundation, supporting their events whether cheering runners from the sidelines or attending fundraising galas. And she meets with as many people as possible who are impacted by cholangiocarcinoma, letting them know they are not alone. Through it all, she proudly wears a green streak in her hair, encouraging questions so she can educate people about cholangiocarcinoma.

Jim Palma, executive director of TargetCancer, knows that Geri is one-of-a-kind. “I am grateful that Geri has chosen a path of advocacy, even in the midst of debilitating, ongoing treatments. I believe that her efforts truly make a difference, whether for other patients inspired by her approach, or researchers who benefit from her tissue donation, or by simply talking to her.”

Geri’s daughters Kimberley, Sheri and Amy, along with her son-in-law Keith and her granddaughters Sammy and Maddy, have been by her side every step of the way. Kimberley takes pride in her mom’s fierce determination: “She hopes to live as long as possible so that others with the disease can benefit from the treatment she has received at Mass General.”