Adam Keigwin beats cancer
ADAM KEIGWIN
SACRAMENTO – Adam Keigwin, a Sacramento-based political consultant and longtime ally and advocate for the Filipino community, recently was given a clean bill of health after a 2-plus year battle with colon cancer.
After eight rounds of chemotherapy and 25 rounds of radiation, Keigwin underwent surgery in August at UCSF hospital in Mission Bay, San Francisco, to remove a cancerous tumor in his colon. Surgeons tested margins around the tumor and removed 15 lymph nodes, all of which were negative of cancer cells. His oncologist said there is now “no evidence of disease.”
“I am so incredibly grateful to be alive today,” said Keigwin. “Thank you to all those who reached out, said prayers, and helped me and my daughters over the past 2 years. Without that constant support, I would not have had the strength needed to beat this cancer.”
While battling the disease, Keigwin joined Philippine News Today publisher Francis Espiritu in Manila in 2019. Espiritu and Keigwin met with several government officials and business leaders to discuss opportunities and cultural exchange between the Philippines and California.
“Adam has long fought for our community, in San Francisco, on the Peninsula, and in Sacramento,” said Espiritu. “His successful fight against cancer should help provide hope for all those who are struck by this tragic disease. I’m so happy to see him now cancer free and I look forward to seeing his continued advocacy for Filipino Americans.”
Keigwin moved to San Mateo County in 2001 and was immediately embraced by the Fil-Am community, as he worked as a legislative aide for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, before heading to Sacramento as a Chief of Staff in the State Assembly and the State Senate. The late Filipino icon, Alice Bulos, often referred to Keigwin as “honorary Filipino” due to his constant work within the community.
While living on the Peninsula, he successfully ran the San Mateo County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign – leading local, state and congressional Democrats to an average margin of victory over 33 percent.
In 2003, Keigwin moved to Sacramento where he served for 10 years as a Chief of Staff in the California State Senate. Keigwin directed public relations and communications as well as managed a political and legislative agenda, which included landmark legislation on government transparency, juvenile justice, gun violence, student speech rights, and domestic violence prevention.
Keigwin oversaw California’s law on ultra-violent video games that was argued before the Supreme Court of the United States, as well as the statute ending life without parole sentences for youth and the state law creating online voter registration that resulted in nearly 800,000 new voters in just one month. He also led the effort to recognize the role of Filipino WWII veterans in the state’s high school history curriculum.
As a result of these efforts, he was recognized as the Legislative Staff Person of the Year by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence and three-time recipient of the Legislative Staff Person of the Year by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
For the past nine years, Keigwin has served as Managing Director of the public strategy firm Mercury Public Affairs. He provides public relations, government affairs, and strategic communications counsel to labor and trade associations, professional sports franchises, major corporations and startup companies, and nonprofit organizations.
He was named to CalNewsroom’s list of the “Top 100 best, brightest, and most indispensable people in California politics,” was a Golden Bear Award nominee for “Best Public Affairs/Communications Professional,” and honored with the Criminal Justice Reform Award from the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.
Keigwin currently is on the board of directors for City Year and the host committee for the California Equality Awards.
