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At 75, Roger Nuhn of Glasford is a relative newlywed. When he and Bonnie married five years ago, he joined a close-knit family that all rallied around him when he started treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the winter of 2014. Presented with the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial, Roger decided, “What have I got to lose?” The answer: Nothing. He’s not only responding well to treatment—which he’s not sure he could have afforded on his own—but he’s also recovered the energy to do the things he loves. “I wouldn’t have been able to do anything without this treatment. Now, I feel like doing stuff again.” Continue Reading

Roger Nuhn

When you consider all the things you’d like to pass on to your children, cancer certainly doesn’t make the list. But given her family’s history, Ann Best knew it was a possibility. After much deliberation, Ann underwent genetic testing and many family members followed. Knowing the important role the Foundation plays in helping promote and advance testing locally; Ann remains a vocal advocate, serving as a volunteer, donor and board member. “For my kids, I want to see really good research continue right here. The Foundation helps keep Illinois CancerCare on the cutting edge of treatments and therapies.” Continue Reading

Ann Best

Coach Karrie Redeker

October 5, 2020

Breast Cancer Survivor
Coach Karrie Redeker
ICC Women’s Basketball

It was the start of Wednesday’s women’s basketball practice at Illinois Central College, the team was on a high having just found out they were playing in the national tournament, and head coach Karrie Redeker picked up the phone to hear she had breast cancer. Her treatment would become her personal game to play over the next year, and she would face the challenges the same way she coached her team, with faith over fear, big goals and wearing ICC blue. Karrie never told anyone she had breast cancer, but that she was “going to beat breast cancer.” From the beginning, her mindset was “proud to be an overcomer.”

While in treatment, Karrie led her team in one of the best seasons she has coached, ranking number one in the nation and having a 32 game winning streak. The teams theme that year was Stronger Together, and to Karrie this began to represent the way you get through any adversity. She never felt she was facing treatment alone. The team’s basketball success allowed for Karrie to set the stage for an epic Cancer Awareness game between her number one nationally ranked team and the number five ranked team. The game went almost to overtime before Illinois Central College won on a last second shot. In addition to spreading cancer awareness, prevention and support, the team asked fans to give donations for three point shots made and charges taken throughout the season and raised over $4,000.00 for Illinois CancerCare Foundation.