Beaufort Memorial Hospital | Affiliated with Duke University Health System in heart and cancer

Keyserling Cancer Center

Patient Testimonials: Gary Galbraith

When Sea Pines Plantation resident Gary Galbraith moved with his wife to Hilton Head Island from Canada more than 20 years ago, he did so with dreams of warm weather and lots of golf.

The retired cinematographer was accustomed to planning his shots in advance and knowing what should appear in the next frame. So it was this approach he took in finding the best cancer treatment when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007. “I had a couple of choices about where to have my treatment, and I told my oncologist in Savannah that I did not want to drive from the island to Savannah everyday,” Gary says.

His oncologist told him about the new Duke-affiliated Keyserling Cancer Center in Beaufort, and about its state-of-the-art technology for radiation therapy. “I had no idea this place even existed, so I decided to do some checking around,” he says.

His research confirmed his doctor’s recommendation and assurances about the technology available in Beaufort, and made Gary’s decision about where to seek treatment very simple. “I found out about the Duke affiliation, and I found out that they did have this technology that no one else had,” he says. “That was what I needed to know to feel comfortable with my decision.”

Gary was not overly concerned about who would be delivering his treatments to him, but it was inevitably the cancer center staff that left the most lasting impressions on him. “They were always on time – always, and they were friendly and extremely competent,” he says. “And there were little things, too. They knew I was coming from Hilton Head everyday, so they tried to work out my schedule so I wouldn’t be driving on and off of the island when there was a lot of traffic. They didn’t have to do that. I didn’t ask them to do that. It was nice.”

Today Gary is cancer-free and enjoying another summer playing golf on the Harbourtown links. He is also a vocal supporter of the Keyserling Cancer Center and is quick to recommend it to others. “I would tell anyone to come to the Keyserling Cancer Center. I really would,” he says. “I was totally surprised to find the facility in Beaufort with state-of-the-art equipment and excellent doctors. I had no idea. Everyone should know this is here.”

Read about other Keyserling Cancer Center patient experiences here.
Learn more about the Keyserling Cancer Center here.