For Coleen Kelly—or “Cole,” as her friends and care teams know her—resilience is a way of life. Over the years, Coleen has navigated multiple complex cancer diagnoses, including follicular lymphoma, breast cancer associated with a BRCA1 gene mutation, and her current cycle of targeted treatments for Diffused Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Through every trial, her vibrant, half-full outlook on life remains unshakable.
Coleen’s journey to Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center began after years of managing various health challenges. After experiencing severe abdominal pain, scans revealed a 13-centimeter mass. She was immediately connected with Dr. Kieron Dunleavy and the care team at Georgetown, leading to rapid, coordinated treatment. From the greeting at the front door to the technicians, nurses, and specialized oncologists, Coleen credits the whole-person approach as a total game-changer, sharing that she feels like she is the only patient whenever she is there. Whether receiving custom-formulated infusions or taking home continuous treatment, the compassion of the staff made a daunting process feel hopeful and manageable.
Now, Coleen is gearing up to take on a new milestone: participating in BellRinger’s upcoming Ride alongside her partner, Jim. As a passionate local cyclist who loves exploring D.C. routes, joining BellRinger felt like a natural next step to combine her love for biking with a mission close to her heart.
What makes BellRinger so special to Coleen is its broad impact and strong community focus. Rather than singling out one diagnosis, Coleen loves how BellRinger supports groundbreaking research across all cancer types, uniting patients, survivors, and supporters.
As Coleen completes her latest round of treatment, she is focused on remaining active through local yoga classes, taking afternoon naps with her three senior rescue dogs, and training for Ride Day. With the support of many family and friends, Coleen and Jim are ready to cross the finish line surrounded by community.
