Dr. George Geils Named Corporate Chair For The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk

May 23, 2012

George F. Geils, Jr., MD  Named 2012 Corporate Chairman For The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk

CHARLESTON, SC –  May 23, 2012 – The South Carolina Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) named George F. Geils, Jr., M.D.. corporate chair of its 2012 Light The Night® Walk, LLS’s annual fundraising event held each fall to raise money for cancer research and patient services.

Mr. George F. Geils, Jr., MD is a board certified physician in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology at Charleston Hematology Oncology Associates.  He is also the Medical Director for the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program for Roper St. Francis Healthcare. A graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina, he completed his residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and his fellowship at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.. Dr. Geils is a member of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, International Society of Hematotherapy and Graft Engineering, A MA, American College of Physicians, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Clinical Oncology and various local and state professional organizations relating to his field. He serves as the Chairman of The Roper St. Francis Institutional Review Board, Chairman of the Roper St. Francis Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and Member of the Roper Medical Executive Committee. Dr. Geils has several published works  and he continues his research in allogeneic stem cell transplantation, alloimmune recovery and cell-mediated graft-versus disease  effect.  He is a longtime friend to LLS, receiving  LLS’s Partners In Progress Award in 2006. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Joy,  and children, Hannah and George III.  

Each Walk also designates an Honored Hero, a blood cancer patient who is an inspiration to those participating in the Walk. One of this year’s Honored Heroes in Charleston is Mack Sheider. Mack was born May 9, 2008.  Mack was diagnosed at 19 months old after he had tripped over a shoe and had stopped walking several days later. 

He was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia (Genetically-Defined Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL)). Mack’s type of Leukemia is very rare, and he is the youngest child that MUSC has treated with this form of leukemia. Mack’s treatments have been intense. After he was diagnosed and had a 3 month inpatient stay, he has received chemotherapy every Monday since February 2010.

He loves trucks and has a vast knowledge of every type.  Mack also plays baseball and was able to play t-ball this spring.  He finally got the ok to attend preschool and loves it as well.  His sister, Scout, is two years old and is his very best friend in the world!

LLS holds walks each fall in approximately 200 communities across the United States and Canada. Participants at the walks carry illuminated balloons – white for survivors, red for supporters, and gold to remember those who have died – to honor and commemorate lives touched by blood cancer. In South Carolina, walks will take place on October 4th in Columbia, October 11th in Greenville, October 25th in Rock Hill, and November 1st in Charleston.

The funds raised through corporate and individual contributions help to find cures and better therapies for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease and myeloma, and to provide information, education and support for patients and their families.

“The Light the Night Walk gives hope to patients and their families and lets them know they are not alone in their battle against cancer,” said Paul Jeter, SC Chapter LLS Executive Director.

To find out more about sponsorship, forming a team or participating in the Charleston Light The Night walk, contact Darlene Benton at (843) 881-8176 or [email protected] or visit www.lightthenight.org/sc for more information.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.