The Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation

The Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation (LSCRF) is one of the nation's leading breast cancer research and education charities. It was founded in 1985 in memory of Lynn Sage, a Chicago-area woman who endured a six-year struggle with breast cancer with her spirit and dignity intact before she died at the age of 39.

Our mission is to support the understanding, research and treatment of breast cancer in partnership with Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Lurie Cancer Center.

Following Lynn's death, a group of 17 friends formed the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation with a vow to cure this devastating disease. Today, 78 individuals serve on three boards in her memory with the common goal of making a difference in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Since its inception, LSCRF has raised over $20 million for breast cancer research including $15 million for Northwestern. Our administrative costs are less than 7%, so that there are more funds available for the research and education projects that we support. With each dollar donated, Lynn Sage's fight to cure breast cancer continues.

What We Do:

LSCRF fulfills its mission by funding:

• Breast Cancer Research Program - Every year, LSCRF provides seed funding to investigators who have promising research projects.
• Breast Fellowship Program - LSCRF funds fellowship training in a number of specialties including surgical oncology, medical oncology and reconstructive surgery. After completing their training, many of the physicians go on to be leaders in breast programs around the country. By supporting these training programs, it ensures that patients everywhere have access to physicians with specialized training in the treatment of breast cancer.
• Breast Cancer Outreach - LSCRF outreach efforts focus on raising visibility for the early detection and treatment of breast cancer as well as to highlight the latest research and most effective care and treatment options.

History:

• In 1991, the LSCRF affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and an initial pledge of $1 million helped establish the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Program. Today, the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center is the largest program of its kind in the Midwest.
• In 1998, the LSCRF made a $5 million, five-year pledge to support continued development of patient care, education and research initiatives in the breast cancer program. This commitment supported both the clinical breast cancer center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the breast cancer research program of the Lurie Cancer Center.
• In 2000, $2.5 million was committed to the Bluhm Breast Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Fund, funded by Mr. Neil Bluhm, which supports detection strategies for patients at high risk for breast cancer, such as: MRI, genetics, hormones and other diagnostic methods.
• In 2003, the Foundation made a $2.5 million pledge in support of oncology fellowships and research into areas like: The effect of breast cancer on families, the use of cycholsporine in the treatment of breast cancer and the expansion of the breast cancer database physicians can utilize for research.

The Future:

A deep, mutual commitment has forged the successful relationship between LSCRF Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Lurie Cancer Center. Together, we are all are dedicated to bringing more humane care to women by changing the course of breast cancer through state-of-the art technology and outstanding research programs. Nationally, LSCRF is at the forefront of the battle against breast cancer and is recognized in Chicago and across the country as a leading philanthropic organization.

Support Lynn Sage Foundation Partnership with Global Giving Website:

The Lynn Sage Foundation has partnered with www.GlobalGiving.com, the internationally recognized marketplace for philanthropy that connects individual donors to the causes they care most about. Now through June 30, if Lynn Sage Foundation can raise at least $4,000 from at least 50 donors, the foundation will earn a permanent spot on the Global Giving website. Please help support the Lynn Sage Foundation as they raise funds to annually support a Lynn Sage Scholar in the breast cancer program here at the Lurie Cancer Center.

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