THE STORY BEHIND THE AOK TOURNAMENT

Three years after being diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in November 2008, I am happy to report that I am cancer free and going strong.

My name is Amy O’Connell Keith (AOK). I was 38 when I found a lump in my breast that turned out to be breast cancer. I went through six months of treatment at the Avon Center at Mass General Hospital. I had the full treatment; surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Since then I have had 3 normal mammograms, 2 normal MRIs,and a clean bill of health. I am receiving my follow up care at MGH and see my doctors every 3 months. I am fortunate to have a wonderful surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist monitoring my continued health. Thanks to fundraisers like Iorio, the Avon Center at MGH was the recipient of $750,000 in grants from the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer last year!

I feel so blessed to have found the cancer early, gotten excellent medical care and been the recipient of much love and support from family and friends.  Even now, 3 years later, not a week goes by that someone – a relative, a friend, an acquaintance – calls or emails me looking for advice: 

“Can my friend call you?”
 “What is the best meal to send to my neighbor?”
 “What kind of advice should I give my cousin on a second opinion?” 
“Who is your doctor?” 
“What was chemo like?”
 “Did the radiation burn?” 

Despite the great strides we continue to make in research and finding a cure for breast cancer, too many women are still battling this horrible disease.

Thank you to Iorio Arena and the AOK Tournament for raising breast cancer awareness and supporting the Avon Foundation in its quest to end breast cancer.

Thank you,
Amy O’Connell Keith
Wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, hockey enthusiast, breast cancer survivor