Antioch woman behind fundraising efforts for 'sister' facing cancer

While she and Margaret Lindner lived in Lake Villa, Shonda Doty recalls years attending the same school and walking to the beach. In high school, she was there when Lindner met her husband at the Round Lake roller rink.

And, Doty has supported her best friend over the years as she faced cancer three times. Most recently she was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 38.

Doty and Lindner both grew up with brothers. Doty calls Lindner the sister she never had.

"We never had sisters. We had each other," she said.

Now living in Antioch, Doty hopes a Sept. 21 fundraiser she is organizing at Lehmann Mansion in Lake Villa will help her friend and family, including husband Greg and 5-year-old son, Jack, through their next medical crisis.

"It's my therapy," Doty said of the project. "Since I know I can't heal her. I can't make the tumor go away. It is one of the least things I can do."

Doty called Lindner a generous, caring person who, like her, loves chocolate and is quiet. And they love to laugh.

"Laughing was our biggest thing. We even try to laugh even through the toughest times now," Doty said.

Lindner was first diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma just before her 18th birthday in 1988.

"As a friend, you never predict somebody will go through it a second time," Doty said of Lindner's second diagnosis of rectal colon cancer. She learned the diagnosis when she was pregnant. She lost the baby.

When Lindner began feeling headaches and difficulty keeping balance in April, a CT scan showed a two-centimeter tumor on the back of her brain. Doctors removed 80 percent of the tumor, but not the remaining 20 percent due to its location. Through it all, Doty massages her hands and feet, brings the family meals and finds ways to tell Lindner people care about her.

"I let her know you can cry and scream. I will not let you go. I will not give up on you," Doty said.

As medical bills pile up, including cost for overnight home health care, Doty decided to start raising money for the family. When their class at Antioch High School held its 20-year reunion in August, Doty brought a poster featuring pictures of Margaret and organized a 50/50 raffle. She raised $456 for a fund called Margaret's Cancer Fundraiser at Chase Bank.

"I don't want anyone to lose their house over medical costs," Doty said. "I don't want her to worry where the next bill will be paid from."

Doty said the fundraiser, which will run from 1 to 6 p.m., is not to bring people down about Margaret's health, but to stay positive.

The event will include bands, The Wads and Crossroads, at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively; a silent auction at 5 p.m.; and dinner. Admission is $15. As a member of the Lake Villa Historical Society, Doty also has recruited members to offer Lehmann Mansion tours.

And Margaret's mother is using her influence in Lake Villa to bring local stars to the event. Her mother, Joyce Fraher, served as village mayor for 12 years.

To help give back, village officials, including Mayor Frank Loffredo, will prepare and serve the dinner.

Loffredo said the family has deep roots in Lake Villa and a personal connection as his neighbor. Showing its character, the community is willing to help others even through personal tragedies.

"Everyone wanted to see how they could help out the family in their time of need," he said.

In addition to paying medical costs, Doty said she hopes to collect enough money to help create a trust fund for Jack, and raise money for the MS Foundation as both Greg's mother and niece battle the disease.

Greg said as Margaret shows strength through each diagnosis, and he thanks Doty and all who want to help the family and show she is cared for.

"I want to get a bunch of people together to have fun for Margaret, to see people are thinking about her and care about her," he said.

For information, visit www.margaretlindner.com.