NJ Woman Died Of Rare Cancer At 40, But Started A Movement

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Jennifer Goodman Linn died of a rare cancer in 2011, but not without first starting one of the most successful fundraisers in the history of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

During the seven years that the Livingston, NJ native battled malignant fibrous histiocytoma sarcoma of the abdomen, Linn started Cycle for Survival, an annual cycling fundraiser. From 2007 until her death in 2011, it raised $9 million for rare cancer research.

Eleven years after her death, the annual event continues.

This year, some of her classmates from Livingston High School '89 have put together a team to enter at the Livingston location on May 14, led by team captains Rita Masini and Lynn Turkus Rosenthal.

That event will be held at the Haines Pool, rain or shine. People who want to become involved or donate can go on the website: www.cycleforsurvival.org.

There will be 14 other Cycle for Survival events held in April and May, as well as a virtual event.

Masini shared her memories of Linn.

"She fought for every dollar raised to go directly to research," Masini said. "She used her strong business and social network to make Cycle, and partnered with her beloved husband to create something that would last forever and change the world."

She noted that she met Linn in middle school and became friends with her in high school.

"Our senior year, we ran a large fundraising event for Make A Wish Foundation in what was then called South Mountain Arena in West Orange," she said. "It was a huge success in the community. She always dreamed big and exceeded at everything she did."

Lynn Turkus Rosenthal, a team captain, said, "She had an energy and commitment that was inspiring and we all rallied behind it. It quickly became a movement that was not only about supporting her, but supporting our mothers, our fathers, our colleagues and anyone else we knew touched by cancer."

Rare Cancers Underfunded

Linn, a graduate of Duke University, focused on fundraising for rare or "orphan" cancers that might not have been as visible as the more common types.

"Rare cancer research is often underfunded," said a Cycle spokesperson, "leaving patients with few or no treatment options — but the Cycle for Survival community helps fill the funding gap and make breakthroughs possible."

Since 2007, Cycle for Survival has raised nearly $300 million to fund rare cancer research led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Memorial Sloan Kettering in Manhattan now has a room named for Linn, the Jennifer Goodman Linn Laboratory of New Drug Development In Sarcoma and Rare Cancers.

"About half of people diagnosed with cancer are battling a rare cancer," noted a Cycle release, "which includes brain, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, leukemia, lymphoma, all pediatric cancers, and many other cancer types."

It wasn't just high school pals who have fielded teams. One of her best friends from Elementary School, Deena Beatty Weissman has led a team for 14 years, the "Newtown Spinners."

To see the list of Cycle locations this year, or for more information, see: Cycle for Survival

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