South Pole Doctor Loses Battle With Breast Cancer

Almost 10 years ago, we first reported the story of Dr. Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald, the only physician at the South Pole, who had found her own breast cancer and began treating herself while she waited to be rescued and brought back home to begin treatment. After undergoing successful treatment for her breast cancer, the cancer returned in 2005. Sadly, ten years after her dramatic rescue from the South Pole, she has died from her breast cancer.

In 2001, after her return to the US, she co-wrote her memoir in a book called Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole which was later made into a made-for-tv movie that starred Susan Sarandon. Although Dr. FitzGerald has occasionally practiced medicine during the last ten years, the Los Angeles Times reports that her main focus has been on giving motivational speeches.

Dr. Fitzgerald is survived by her husband, of three years, Thomas Fitzgerald, as well as her parents Phil and Lorine Cahill. Also surviving her are her brothers Scott and Eric, and her three children Julia, Ben, and Alex.

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