Announcing the Keith Taggart Memorial Fund

Dear NTRKers community,

It’s with regret that we inform you our friend and founding member, Keith Taggart, passed away Wednesday April 27, 2022, at the age of 65. Keith was diagnosed with a rare salivary gland cancer almost six years ago and fortunately, entered a clinical trial where a relatively new-to-market Neurotrophic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase (NTRK) inhibitor was able to extend his life. Those who knew Keith will always cherish his optimistic outlook and his passion for educating the world about NTRK gene fusion cancer. NTRKers Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce the establishment of the Keith Taggart Memorial Fund to celebrate Keith’s life and pursue his goal to educate the world about NTRK gene fusion cancer.

In addition to being a successful real estate attorney, Keith was a talented concert pianist, vocalist and composer. He served as course manager for the Royal College of Music in Boston and performed in a variety of musicals and concerts.He had a real love of theater, travel, and the fine arts.

Keith was preceded in death by his father, Gene Taggart. He is survived by his husband, Greg Stipp of Mustang, Oklahoma; mother and stepfather, Marolyn and Roger Pryor of Yukon, Oklahoma; sister Carla (Dave) Buck of Mustang, Oklahoma; brother Troy (Vonda) Taggart of Chico, Texas; nieces, Casey (Tyler) Walker and Hayley (Sean) Iago of Mustang, Oklahoma; as well as a host of other family and friends who will dearly miss Keith.

The NTRKers is a global, non-profit patient group, founded by patients and loved ones living with NTRK gene fusion cancer, and supported by leading clinical experts. Changes to the NTRK gene can cause normal cells to transform into cancer cells no matter where they are in the body. As a result, our community includes people with different tumor types – thyroid, lung, sarcomas, salivary gland and central nervous system (CNS) tumors, to name a few. Although NTRK gene fusion cancer is rare, both adults and children are affected. Keith’s goal, and the goal of all NTRKers, is for every adult and child with NTRK gene fusion cancer to have the best chance of living life to the fullest – and that means better access to testing, treatment, and research.

To honor Keith, please visit our website at https://ntrkers.org/donation/ to make a contribution to the Keith Taggart Memorial Fund, or, if preferred, checks can be made payable and sent to:

NTRKers Foundation, Inc.
100 Old Cherokee Rd. Ste F PMB 374
Lexington, SC 29072