Billy Maguire lost his battle with Esophageal Cancer even before he knew he had one. He started experiencing symptoms in early May of 2023. He had an endoscopy on August 2, 2023, where he was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. The gastroenterologist said she thought that the tumor at the base of his esophagus had developed over a year prior to it's discovery.

In early September, Billy had a PETSCAN. The results were not good. The cancer had metastasized and had spread to distant areas of his body involving the lymph nodes and bones.

After consulting with an Oncologist in Concord, NH, he went to Dana Farber, in Boston MA, for a second opinion. The outlook was grim. He could hope for 12-18 months of quality of life if he underwent the treatment plan developed by the Concord Oncologist. All Billy wanted to do was be able to get back out on the golf course.

He started treatment in early October. By December, he was extremely ill from the side effects of chemotherapy. By early February, it was decided that he should skip the next treatment. Since there was no improvement in his symptoms, he skipped the following treatment and had another PETSCAN.

The results were mixed. Older areas of cancer activity had been reduced, but there were new areas discovered. Especially in his liver, hip and shin.

Since he was not achieving a quality of life, the decision was made to discontinue all treatment and to enter hospice care at home. Hospice began on April 9, 2024, and he passed peacefully in his home on May 3, 2024.

I feel so sad that he was unable to make it back on the golf course. It was the one of the things that he had a passion (some would call it an obsession) for. He would be anticipating opening day on the golf course from early March, until finally the snow melted, the course greened up, and opening day was announced. He would golf into November if the weather cooperated. Once the course closed, he would start researching what clubs, balls, shoes, and outfits he would be purchasing to prepare for the next season.  He would continue to workout through the winter to be in tiptop shape to go out on the course in the spring, walking the 18 holes at least 3 times a week.

In between, he would DVR every golf tournament that was being played throughout the year. God forbid, if I made plans to go somewhere without access to a tv during any of the majors. The Masters week was considered Holy Week in the Maguire house.

Please consider donating towards the research for Esophageal Cancer and if you are experiencing any symptoms, GET AN UPPER ENDOSCOPY!

Symptoms are:

THERE ARE NO DEFINING SYMPTOMS!!!!!!

Thank you,

Kathy and Ryan

For more event details and for other ways to participate, click here!