Iris’s Story of Strength and Service

Left: Iris Di Cesare

At just 26, Iris received a diagnosis no one expects — stage III breast cancer. Healthy, active, and with no family history, the news came as a shock. But her story, like so many we’re honored to share, is one of resilience, clarity, and quiet strength.

Back in 2017, Iris had found a benign lump in her breast. It was monitored for years without concern. But in early 2022, a new lump appeared — larger, faster-growing, and accompanied by a second mass. A series of tests & biopsies confirmed what she feared.

Within weeks, she began four months of chemotherapy. From there, she underwent a double mastectomy with 20 lymph nodes removed, followed by 25 days of radiation and multiple breast reconstruction surgeries. She’s been cancer-free since December 2022 and continues on long-term hormone therapy with regular monitoring.

In 2023, Iris attended Pink on the River, Chicago’s first brunch with The Pink Agenda, as the recipient of Giuliana Rancic’s Fab-U-Wish program. What started as a moment of celebration became a turning point. She felt a strong pull to give back — to support others walking a similar path and to help fund the research that saved her life.

Today, Iris serves on both the Chicago Chapter Committee & National Leadership Board of The Pink Agenda. Her voice, her story, and her dedication are helping shape the future of breast cancer awareness, advocacy, and action.

At Sage Haus, we’re honored to walk alongside her. Iris reminds us that strength doesn’t always look loud — it often shows up in service, in presence, and in the choice to lead.