THE GOOD FIGHT

October is a busy month for Laura Sage. On the 24th, the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation—co-founded by Laura with a small group of family and friends and established in honor of her mother— hosts “An Evening of Hope In Our Fight Against Breast Cancer” at Theater on the Lake in Lincoln Park. Last year’s event drew approximately 800 supporters and raised more than $1.2 million. Since its inception in 1985, the foundation has raised more than $45 million for breast cancer research and the education of future breast cancer researchers and doctors.

The foundation has been a defining component of Laura’s life since she was a teenager when she lost her mother to breast cancer in 1984. She served on the Junior Board for many years and assumed various leadership roles—treasurer, chair—before advancing to oversight of all daily operations as executive director. Once a new executive director is in place, she plans to devote more time to strategic initiatives. “My strengths lie in development and fundraising efforts, and I’m excited to continue in that capacity. I am eternally grateful for the smart and engaged group of people who ensure that the foundation flourishes—it’s truly a collaborative effort, not a one-woman show.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so in addition to its key fundraiser—which honors Dr. Olusimbo Ige, the new Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health—the foundation and its supporters are active on all fronts. On October 8, approximately 70 Team Lynn Sage runners participated in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Then there’s Chicago’s In Good Taste, the longstanding initiative in which participating restaurants donate proceeds from designated menu items ordered throughout the month. “A new fundraising initiative we are excited about involves a sculpture that will live on Michigan Avenue,” relates Laura. “We commissioned local artist Matthew Hoffman to create a larger-than-life work around the word ‘hope’ that honors the one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m currently looking for donors who’d like naming opportunities. It’s a lovely way to honor or memorialize someone who has been affected by breast cancer and demonstrate support for our cause.”

Behind the scenes, staff and board members ensure that funded doctors submit progress reports that can be shared with donors. The foundation funds scholars, researchers, and fellows each year. “What I’m most proud of,” says Laura, “is the Lynn Sage Scholar Awards provided to young researchers within the first seven years of their career and the Lynn Sage Research Awards funding novel and potentially groundbreaking theories by more experienced practitioners. Our seed funding promotes innovation and the data collection necessary to secure larger investments by government agencies such as the National Institutes for Health and the Department of Defense.”

Earlier this year, the foundation established the Chicago Breast Cancer Research Consortium, bringing together the UChicago, Northwestern Medicine, and RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center to collaborate on breast cancer clinical trials. “Patients don’t have to switch their doctors to start a trial, and trials will be offered at facilities throughout Chicago including North Shore locations,” notes Laura. “We’ve allocated 20 percent of our budget specifically to ensure that a diverse group of patients can access these advanced treatments. Practical matters like childcare, transportation, and missing work often prevent patients from receiving the care they need. Our goal is to reduce barriers as much as possible. We are committed to funding the Consortium for at least the next five years.”

When Laura’s mother got sick, cancer was still the silent sickness, something people whispered about. Thankfully, that is no longer the case, and the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation— one of the nation’s leading breast cancer research and education organizations—has been instrumental in changing hearts and minds. Still, the challenge remains. “Regrettably, most people end up being affected by breast cancer,” says Laura. “Either they get sick or know someone who does. This pervasiveness keeps people aware and empathetic to our mission to eradicate breast cancer.”

For more information, visit lynnsage.org.