One in eight women will hear the words, “You have breast cancer.” For Lynn Sage, it happened in 1979. A vibrant, compassionate woman, Lynn was a preschool teacher, loving wife, and devoted mother of two young daughters when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 34. She faced a five-year battle with the disease at a time when treatments were limited and outcomes uncertain, meeting every challenge with extraordinary strength, grace, and determination.
Weeks before her passing at 39, Lynn made a heartfelt promise with a friend also facing breast cancer: that their daughters would never have to go through what they did. That promise sparked a movement and turned grief into purpose. In 1985, her husband Yale, along with family and friends, founded what is now the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, as the Foundation celebrates our 40th anniversary, we are proud to honor those visionary founders, whose love, courage, and determination laid the groundwork for four decades of impact.
From its roots in Chicago, Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation has grown into a leader in breast cancer philanthropy, investing over $50 million in groundbreaking research, clinical trials, and early-career doctors. These investments have helped usher in a new era of prevention, treatment, and survivorship, including early support for discoveries like Tamoxifen—a breakthrough that redefined breast cancer survival.
This year, on October 16—the same date as our Fall Benefit—we honor what would have been Lynn’s 80th birthday with a celebration at Theater on the Lake. Her legacy continues to guide and inspire our work, investing in the bold ideas and brilliant minds that will unlock the next generation of detection and treatments. As we look ahead, we remain as committed as ever to her vision: a future where breast cancer is fully understood, treatable for all, and ultimately eradicated. We believe that future is possible and, with your help, we won’t stop until it is.