A Legacy of Compassion: Christine Kennefick’s Gift to Our Cancer Center Patients
For Christine Kennefick of Quincy, Massachusetts, cancer was not a short chapter; it was a 14-year journey marked by resilience, deep relationships, and extraordinary compassion.
Throughout much of that time, Christine received her care at the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center at South Shore Health under the guidance of her medical oncologist, Meredith Faggen, MD, with whom she formed a bond that extended far beyond the exam room.
Christine was known by those around her as outgoing, bubbly, and unfailingly positive. Over the years, that spirit resonated deeply with her care team.
Even after Christine relocated to Florida in her later years and transitioned her treatment there, Dr. Faggen continued to check in regularly.
One moment in particular left a lasting impression on Christine’s family: when a major hurricane struck the area where Christine lived, Dr. Faggen reached out personally, simply to make sure she was safe.
That level of personal care meant everything.
“I was blown away by the relationships Christine developed with her oncology team,” said her brother, Kevin Kennefick. “It gave me incredible comfort knowing that she wasn’t just known as a patient, but truly as a person. During an illness that ultimately took her life, that kind of connection was really special.”
Christine passed away in December 2024. In honoring her memory, Kevin made the decision to direct $100,000 from her estate to the Cancer Center, a decision shaped by the compassion his sister experienced here.
In conversations with the South Shore Health Foundation Team, Kevin learned of a critical need: one of our Trident HD Specimen Radiography System machines was nearing the end of its life and no longer functioning reliably.
With only two machines supporting nearly all breast procedures, including biopsies, lumpectomies, and mastectomies, being down one could significantly impact patient flow and care delivery.
The Trident system plays a vital role in generating sharp, highly detailed images directly in the operating room or procedure space, allowing clinicians to verify specimens immediately, make informed decisions on the spot, shorten procedures, reduce recalls, and ease the anxiety of long waits for patients.
Christine’s gift will fund the replacement of this essential equipment, directly benefiting patients navigating breast cancer care, ensuring her generosity lives on in a deeply tangible way.
“We are profoundly grateful to the Kennefick family for this remarkable gift,” said Jess Fallon, Executive Director of the Cancer Center. “This donation will have an immediate and lasting impact on patient care, helping our clinical teams provide timely, high-quality treatment while honoring the compassionate spirit that defined Christine’s life.”
In January 2026, Kevin joined other family members, close friends, and members of Christine’s care team, including Dr. Faggen, at the Cancer Center to view a newly installed plaque dedicated in Christine’s honor.
Placed in a waiting area, the plaque serves as a quiet but powerful reminder of hope, kindness, and generosity for patients and families facing difficult diagnoses of their own.
“Knowing that Christine’s memory will help other patients the way she was helped, that’s how her spirit lives on,” Kevin said.
We are deeply grateful to the Kennefick family for their generosity and extend our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Christine. Her kind spirit will live on through this gift and the patients it helps support.
