The Monahan family has played a vital role in raising funds and awareness for supportive care and cancer outcomes research at the Mass General Cancer Center.
Jennifer Temel, MD, clinical director of Thoracic Oncology and director of the Cancer Outcomes Research Program at the Cancer Center, is focused on reducing suffering from cancer by conducting research that aims to improve the delivery, experience and outcomes of cancer care for patients and their families. The Monahan family has been crucial in providing Dr. Temel and her team with the resources they need to pioneer research efforts in this specific field. What’s more, these unique cancer care services are not available everywhere.
This dedicated support from the Monahans began in 2007. That’s the year that Justin, Brendan and Jay lost their mother Joanne to lung cancer. Joanne was a patient of Dr. Temel, and the grateful family established a fund at Mass General in Joanne’s name. Since that time, the family members have remained very active in their outreach efforts. Jay is one of the co-founders of Golf Fights Cancer, which he helped establish after losing a close friend to cancer at a young age. The organization has raised nearly $5 million to support various cancer initiatives since 2003. It has also funded community health and supportive care initiatives at Mass General.
Outcomes research will continue to focus on the information patients need to choose treatment, anticipate complications and fully participate in their care. As these vital efforts move forward, the Monahan family continues its commitment to supporting Dr. Temel and her team as they provide the best possible care for patients.
