Friends of Dana-Farber
Friends' Board and Bios
Kelly Pesek
Kelly Pesek
When Kelly Pesek made the decision to leave her profession, she said, "I found it to be meaningful and rewarding to be a full-time mom," and her children undoubtedly gained the most. At the same time, her colleagues on the Friends of Dana-Farber Board are grateful for the benefits and skills which came their way as a result of this change in her life.
After completing her nursing education in 1984, Kelly moved to Boston from Connecticut, working several years at the Massachusetts General Hospital oncology unit. She then joined the bone marrow transplant team at Dana-Farber and was soon appointed as a bone marrow transplant research nurse. Kelly worked in this capacity for eight years, being responsible for the pre- and post- transplant care of patients, including the vital procedure of removing the bone marrow from patients, which was then treated in the laboratory before being transplanted into the patients. She also supervised the data management of bone marrow clinical trials and traveled throughout the country for two drug companies, lecturing about growth factors relating to bone marrow transplants.
She is a co-author of 15 papers on transplants as well.
As co-facilitator for the Bone Marrow Transplant Patient-Family Support group at Dana-Farber, she became acutely aware of the physical and emotional needs of the patients and their families. Realizing how important research is for hastening the favorable results of all forms of treatment, she wanted to find some way to continue her involvement. Becoming a member of the Friends has given Kelly a way to do just that.
Kelly has twice co-chaired the Tribute Book and Gala Committees, and served as membership chair two times, organizing membership/educational events in Weston, Mass., and Cape Cod. She served as executive vice president and now is hoping to begin a new program to provide educational opportunities in the community.
Kelly lives in Weston, Mass., with her husband, Steve, an investment portfolio manager, and their three children, ages 13, 11 and 6. Kelly's choice to embrace volunteerism has proven to be a bonus for all concerned. She said, "Through the Friends, I have met a stimulating group of people, made new friends and have fulfilled my need to contribute to the fight against cancer."
