The People
Scott and Kim Ireland
Eileen Casey
Patricia O’Brien
Scott and Kim Ireland, Founders
After waging their own battle with melanoma skin cancer, Scott and Kim Ireland founded the SD Ireland Cancer Research Fund in 1999. Scott Ireland, president of the SD Ireland Companies,and his wife Kim live in Shelburne with their three children. In addition to heading an active family, they support a number of causes and institutions, large and small, around the Burlington, Vermont area.
As founders of the SD Ireland Cancer Research Fund Scott and Kim are directly involved in all aspects of the organization. They organize the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, benefiting the fund, and also direct several additional annual events they continue to support local cancer research.
In 2009 Kim Ireland received the Champlain College Robert Skiff Award in recognition of her charitable work.
Eileen Casey, Board Member
Eileen Casey, an account executive at WCAX-TV, is a cancer survivor who lost her leg to bone cancer in 2006. The Amputee Coalition of America named her “Advocate of the Year” in 2008 for her work in getting Vermont’s Prosthetic Parity bill passed and signed into law by Governor Douglas in 2007 so amputees can get the prosthetics they need. She currently serves on the board of directors of Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports and the Burlington Boys & Girls Club.
Eileen also started and organized the Stop Breast Cancer for Life Walk fundraiser held in Burlington and Montpelier in 2004 and 2005 where 100% of the proceeds benefited Dr. Krag’s research through the SD Ireland Foundation.
A graduate of Saint Michael’s College and the mother of three, Eileen Casey lives in South Burlington.
Patricia O’Brien, M.D., Board Member
Dr. O’Brien trained at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, specializing in internal medicine. She currently provides lymphedema consultations at Fletcher Allen Health Care and serves as co-chair of the Vermont Cancer Center’s Annual Breast Cancer Conference. She has also volunteered with many local nonprofits, including the VT/NH affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Stowe Weekend of Hope, Cancer Patient Support Program, and the Vermont Cancer Network. Dr. O’Brien, a 13-year breast cancer survivor, has supported cancer research and has participated as a cancer patient in multiple national cancer research studies.
