Prevent Cancer Foundation remembers Molly McGovern
Photo: Phil Kessel with Molly McGovern at the Congressional Families Action for Cancer Awareness Awards luncheon. Kessel was the 2018 Excellence in Cancer Awareness honoree and a former player of the Boston Bruins, Molly’s favorite team.
La Fondation Prévenir le Cancer® mourns the loss of Molly McGovern, daughter of Lisa McGovern, Executive Director of the Foundation’s Congressional Families Program, and Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, after being diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2019.
“The entire Foundation community—our staff, board of directors and members of the Congressional Families Program—grieves with the McGovern family and recommit to our vision of a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “No family should have to endure this devastation.”
Since Molly’s diagnosis, Lisa has remained transparent about her daughter’s journey in the hopes that sharing her story will help others who have had to hear the words, “You have cancer.” From providing words of wisdom to inspiring everyone with Molly’s sense of humor and strength throughout her cancer journey, Lisa has supported an innumerable amount of people so they could feel less alone and be empowered with the knowledge to fight this disease. She is a patient advocate in every sense of the word—Lisa’s passion for raising awareness on this topic is undoubtedly a result of her experience advocating for her loved ones.
In a statement from Rep. McGovern’s office, it is clear Molly will be remembered for so much, but perhaps most of all, “…a rare gift: She made everyone feel special, because she genuinely believed everyone was special. She treated people with compassion and kindness—always standing up for the underdog, and making fast friends wherever she went.”
Our hearts are with Lisa, Jim, their son Patrick and everyone who knew and loved Molly and her infectious spirit—a spirit that the Foundation will long admire as we continue our work to create a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all.