ABOUT CLAIRE’S WISHES

Claire Keelagher (nee Comer) sadly passed away at the age of 36 years on the 10th January 2024 only six months after being diagnosed with Krukenberg cancer in September 2023. Claire was a much-loved wife and mother, to her young son and bereft husband Martin miss her every day as does her mum and dad and all family members, friends, and colleagues.

Krunkenberg Tumours are a metastatic malignancy of the ovary characterised by signet ring adenocarcinoma that primarily arises from the gastrointestinal site in most cases.

Krukenberg tumors are most commonly metastases from gastric cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, or breast cancer particularly invasive lobular breast carcinoma, but they can arise in the appendix, colon, small intestine, rectum, gallbladder, and urinary bladder or gallbladder, biliary tract, pancreas. They are most common in the female population between the ages of 27-65 years. Krunkenberg tumours are very aggressive and therefore early diagnosis is crucial.

Claire’s Wishes has been launched in order to raise awareness and provide support for people affected by Krukenberg Tumours.

Our focus is to raise awareness of the symptoms of Krukenberg cancer, to help speed the diagnosis to improve better outcomes, sadly, very often the diagnosis comes too late.

We aim to help people identify the symptoms so they can ask GPs as early as possible for diagnostic tests.

Raise awareness of the symptoms amongst GPs and specialists to help avoid losing precious time through misdiagnosis.

Claire's family, friends and Johnson and Johnson colleagues are walking 24 miles across 3 peaks in the Yorkshire dales on 6th June 2024 in memory of Claire. Please give what you can afford, every £ raised will go directly to 'Claire's Wishes' this is the first in a series of events by Claire's Johnson & Johnson colleagues through out 2024. The 2nd event takes place in London on 13/6/24, teams from London Trauma, Ethicon and Joints are walking a 1/2 marathon around 'Royal London Parks'. Good luck to all involved. (update to follow)

Gavin Meadows, Alex Moore & Scott Withecome from Johnson & Johnson shared some fitting words about claire:

"Claire was such a talent and special member of DePuy Synthes and the Trauma team, embodying the qualities of a great team mate. She was an exceptional leader, colleague and brought so much fun.

Losing Claire reinforces what’s truly important to us all – family and good health. She leaves behind a loving husband and young son and our deepest sympathies go to them, and all those who knew Claire"