Charlene Kehoe
Director Emeritus and Founder of CSVI
Breast Cancer Survivor
Charlene Kehoe, founded Cancer Support VI in 2005 and ran the organization with the utmost compassion and dedication for over 15 years. Her inspiration was to honor her father, who died of cancer, by helping others on their journey.
Charlene’s former colleagues recounted how countless patients walked into her office with exhaustion on their faces, and left with hope in their eyes — often with hugs and praise for Charlene's kindness. She listened to them, she prayed with them and she became their advocate and care navigator. Charlene is described by her friends as a beautiful humanitarian with a heart of gold.
After many years of selflessly assisting Virgin Islanders impacted by cancer, she too was diagnosed in 2016. Here is her story and advice to others —
Diagnosis & Treatment
“In Sept 2016, I found a lump in my right breast. I went to Dr. Scott Harshorn and he ordered a mammogram which came back positive and two spots were found in my breast. I went to Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) for treatment and they found I had stage 1 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy on November 17, 2016 and had a saline prosthesis inserted after surgery. Regrettably, it became infected and I had it removed a month later. The area developed a bad pseudomonas infection and I was on antibiotics for 7 months. I came back to St. Thomas and Dr. Tai Hunte Cesar, our local infectious disease doctor, was able to cure the infection. I then had 8 weeks of radiation therapy at Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute in 2017.
Then in 2018, my mammogram showed cancer in the left breast. I had a second mastectomy with Dr. Frank Odlum here in St. Thomas. Fortunately, it was stage 0 and I did not need radiation or chemotherapy. I have been on Aromasin, an estrogen blocker, for the past 5 years since my first diagnosis and I will need to take it for another 5 years for a total of 10 years.
Cancer & Daily Life
After my diagnosis and to this day, I eat more whole foods, quit eating Lean Cuisines and make my health a priority. I take a lot of vitamins and herbs, suggested by the Naturopath at CTCA. I exercise every day by doing physical therapy, similar to yoga. I am part of a prayer group and meditate often to stay positive.
CSVI
I was running Cancer Support VI at the time and I got all the information I needed. I was able to get a grant through CSVI to assist with my hotel stay while receiving treatment at CTCA in Atlanta, which was a huge help. Over the past 17 years, I have observed CSVI providing information, support and financial support to so many people in the USVI, myself included. It has been a blessing to our community and I am so proud of my affiliation with this organization.
Advice to fellow Virgin Islanders battling cancer —
Visualize your Healing & Stay Positive — I advise cancer patients to deepen their relationship with God, to pray and to visualize their healing. Consider watching Youtube videos on self-healing, which is what I did.
Adopt and Maintain Healthy Habits — I recommend choosing a healthy diet, keeping weight down, exercising and meditating.
Be Your Own Advocate — Listen to your doctor and get as much information as you can before deciding on your treatment options. Getting a second opinion is always a good idea if you are unsure of recommendations.
Get Assistance — Lastly, I recommend reaching out to CSVI for financial assistance. “