Lindenhurst Breast Cancer Patient Honored During Bears Game

CHICAGO, IL — Suburban breast cancer patients, their families and their care teams were honored at Soldier Field Thursday as the Chicago Bears took on the Washington Commanders.

Prior to kick-off, patients unfurled a ceremonial pink ribbon, and during halftime, two patients and their care teams participated in an on-field Punt, Pass, and Kick competition. The opportunity was made possible through a partnership with Advocate Health Care and the Chicago Bears.

Angela Howard of Lindenhurst, who has "dreamed of being a teacher since she was a little girl," was among those honored Thursday, according to Advocate Health officials. Her breast cancer diagnosis in March meant she had to say goodbye to her first grade class so she could undergo treatment. Howard had surgery in the beginning of August and started radiation treatment in September.

She says her family, friends and faith have helped her through the hard times, and she hopes to return to the classroom soon.

Advocate Health Care breast surgeon Heidi Memmel participated in the coin toss and handed it over to Staley the Bear to kick off the game. The game was meant to be a tribute to honor breast cancer survivors and fighters and raise awareness for the disease that develops in one in eight women during her lifetime.

“Breast cancer is often preventable, and knowing the risk factors, like family history and lifestyle factors is important," Memmel said. “It’s also important to get regular screening mammograms, as this is the one exam that we know can save lives from detecting breast cancer early.”

Lori Geiger, of Lake in the Hills, has endured decades of pain and health problems and recently was also diagnosed with breast cancer. Geiger, 53, helped unfurl the BearDown flag and was joined on the field with her husband Steven Geiger.

Geiger spent her adult life battling endometriosis, which is a severe reproductive disorder that is the leading cause of infertility and pelvic pain. After many years of hormone replacements, multiple laparoscopic surgeries and several failed infertility treatments, Geiger decided to have a hysterectomy in October 2021, according to an Advocate Health Care press release.

Post-surgery, the Geiger was beginning to look forward to enjoying life with her husband "without the constant barrage of health challenges" when a mammogram detected ductal carcinoma in situ, which is cancer that forms in a woman's milk ducts.

A surgeon performed a lumpectomy, which was successful in removing the cancerous cells. Following radiation treatment, Lori is doing well and has been cancer-free for six months, according to Advocate Health.

"It's not like I can say I was feeling great and then I got cancer," Geiger said. "Even now, it's hard for me to tell if the symptoms I'm experiencing are from my hysterectomy or from the cancer."