CHICAGO (CBS) — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a name synonymous with breast cancer research in Chicago is Lynn Sage.
Her daughter, Laura Sage, aired a program on CBS News Chicago about the woman who has made a huge contribution to the fight against the disease.
“I remember her being so nice, vibrant, beautiful and kind,” Laura Sage said. “She was my mother.”
Laura was only 13 when her mother died of breast cancer. Her younger sister Haley was 11 years old.
“Of course, I remember her being sick,” Laura said. “She had been ill for nearly five years.”
Lynn grew up in Chicago, attending Nettelhorst School and graduating from Lakeview High School. Children were her passion.
She will become a kindergarten teacher. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a name synonymous with breast cancer research in Chicago is Lynn Sage. Her daughter, Laura Sage, aired a program on CBS News Chicago about the woman who has made a huge contribution to the fight against the disease. Provided to CBS
Laura said that when her mother became ill, the treatments and drug advances available today did not exist.
“It was totally different,” she said.
She added: “The prognosis for women diagnosed today is much better than it was for my mother nearly 40 years ago. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and for those women, the “A slightly higher 91% will be diagnosed with breast cancer,” she added. If the woman or man is alive after five years and is diagnosed early, the chance of survival is more than 98%. ”
Lynn passed away in 1984.
The following year, her husband Yale, friends, and family established the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation in her memory. Laura was recently named co-founder. Her sister Haley serves as board chair.
To date, the nonprofit has raised nearly $50 million toward the goal of eradicating breast cancer. Laura said the organization is solely focused on funding research conducted by doctors to fight breast cancer.
The following year, her husband Yale, friends, and family established the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation in her memory. Laura was recently named co-founder. Her sister Haley serves as board chair. To date, the nonprofit has raised nearly $50 million toward the goal of eradicating breast cancer. Laura said the organization is solely focused on funding research conducted by doctors to fight breast cancer. Provided to CBS
“We helped fund Dr. Craig Jordan, the founder of tamoxifen,” Laura said. “Tamoxifen has helped millions of people around the world.”
The organization funds the Chicago Breast Cancer Research Consortium, which brings together researchers from Rush University Medical Center, the University of Chicago Medical Center, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Researchers are conducting clinical trials on breast cancer patients.
“The goal is to provide everyone in Chicagoland with equitable health care and cutting-edge treatments that can be a lifeline once diagnosed,” Laura said.
Laura said the nonprofit’s goal is to give hope to those diagnosed with breast cancer through the large “Hope” sculpture on display in Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue, and on Thursday, Oct. 24, at Theater On. He added that the goal is to raise funds through an annual fall benefit at The Lake.
As for how Laura feels about the legacy the nonprofit left her mother, she said:
“It’s really a gift to be able to do something like this in her honor,” she said.
To learn more about the work of the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation and the October 24 fall benefit, visit lynnsage.org. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
Suzanne Le Mignot
