Colon Cancer Alliance for Research & Education for Lynch Syndrome
What is Lynch Syndrome?
Lynch Syndrome is a genetic disease that dramatically increases the risk of cancer, especially colon and uterine cancers. Knowing about Lynch Syndrome is important for patients and their family members to prevent future cancers.
Our efforts are focused on educating individuals and healthcare providers about Lynch Syndrome. Through education we can increase the awareness of Lynch Syndrome, identify affected individuals, and then diagnose cancers at their earliest possible stage. This program can significantly improve the life and longevity of affected individuals.
Our Goal
Our efforts are focused on educating individuals and health care providers about Lynch Syndrome.
Lynch Syndrome Brochure
About the Organization
Symbolism in the mark
The logo was crafted to symbolize the many facets of Lynch Syndrome. The double helix signifies the DNA component. The colors correspond to the relevant cancer awareness ribbons.
Peach: Uterine cancer
Periwinkle: Stomach cancer
Teal: Ovarian cancer
Blue: Colon cancer
Founders
This organization was founded by Sharon Perlman, DDS, MPH and Neil Bradford Perlman, MD
Contact Us
Sharon Perlman DDS, MPH
Neil Perlman MD
In Loving Memory
Drs. Neil and Sharon Perlman created Colon Cancer Alliance for Research and Education (CCARE) in memory of their family members affected with Lynch Syndrome.
Doris Taflove Perlman
Mother
Math Teacher
Died at age 55
Elissa Faye Perlman, PsyD
Sister
Art Therapist
Died at age 42
Jordan Adam Haase
Sharon's Son
Died at age 5 months
Meet the other members of the team
Board of Directors
Sharon J Perlman, DDS, MPH
President & Co-Founder
Dr. Perlman is a licensed dentist with a passion for public health. Prior to establishing CCARE Lynch Syndrome, she served as Chief of Dental Services for the Cook County Department of Public Health and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry for the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. Named by Today’s Chicago Woman as “100 Women Making a Difference,” Dr. Perlman has dedicated her career to increasing access to care for underserved populations, with a special emphasis on children and is a consultant to the Ounce of Prevention. More recently involved in genetics, she cofounded CCARE Lynch Syndrome with her brother. As an endometrial cancer survivor, she has a particular interest in increasing gynecologic cancer Lynch Syndrome awareness. She is an active member of the Foundation of Women’s Cancer Allied Support Group, and recently established the Perlman Family CCARE Lynch Syndrome Research Award, administered by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology. She and her husband reside in Chicago with their two teenage children and their Anti-Cruelty Society adopted cat.
Neil Bradford Perlman, MD
Medical Director & Co-Founder
Neil B. Perlman, MD, is a practicing physician who is board certified in internal medicine. Dr. Perlman has been a primary investigator in numerous industry and government-sponsored pharmaceutical research studies. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois and completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University. He received his undergraduate degree in bioengineering from the University of Illinois. He holds 2 patents for a “Habit Cessation Aide” to assist people in quitting smoking. Earlier, Dr. Perlman was active in health promotion when he joined the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill as Assistant Professor of Medicine and was appointed Medical Director of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
David K. Haase, Esq.
Treasurer, Secretary
Mr. Haase is an attorney who has focused his practice on labor and employment matters. He is a Shareholder at Littler Mendelson, the nation’s largest labor and employment law practice, and has particular expertise in non-competition agreements and trade secrets, wage and hour class actions and ERISA litigation. He also has significant experience serving on Board of Directors of other non-profit corporations and holding officer positions in those organizations. Mr. Haase is a summa cum laude graduate of Carleton College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, and a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School.
Adriana I. Reyes-Villanueva, Esq.
Adriana I. Reyes-Villanueva is an in-house Counsel for PepsiCo, Inc. based in Chicago. In her current capacity, Ms. Reyes-Villanueva is responsible for advising and representing internal clients in compliance matters involving federal and state labeling, advertising and marketing laws.
Ms. Reyes-Villanueva previously worked as a labor and employment attorney at PepsiCo and at The Quaker Oats Company prior to its acquisition by PepsiCo. Ms. Reyes-Villanueva also previously worked as a labor and employment attorney at Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholtz and at Jenner & Block in Chicago.
Ms. Reyes-Villanueva received her Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and her Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School.
Sarah Kimber, MD
Sarah Kimber, MD, is a family physician and serves as medical director at the Tri City Health Partnership, a free clinic in St. Charles, Illinois.
Dr. Kimber received her Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Illinois and her medical degree from Rush University Medical Center. She continued on to complete her residency at the West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois. Dr. Kimber was appointed as a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in recognition of her success in family medicine.
Dr. Kimber is honored to have served on the CCARE board since its inception. She looks forward to furthering CCARE's goals of research and education about Lynch syndrome, along with providing support to people who have it.
Lisa Wolfe, MD
Lisa Wolfe, MD, is board certified in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep medicine. She is currently an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Northwestern University, and director of the pulmonary rehabilitation program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Dr. Wolfe has an interest in noninvasive ventilation, and has been working as part of the ALS care team since 2003. Dr. Wolfe received her medical degree from Ohio State University and Residency and Fellowship training at Northwestern University.
Junius Nottingham Jr.
Junius Nottingham Jr. is the Executive Director of the Blue Cross Blue Shield National Anti-Fraud Department. He is the co-chair for the National Anti-Fraud Advisory Board, a board member for the HealthCare Fraud Prevention Partnership, and a member of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. Junius retired from the federal government in 2012 after spending 29 years in several agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Psychology from Temple University.
Junius has Lynch syndrome and is a colon cancer survivor. Junius lost his only son Jeremy who was 30 years old to Lynch syndrome.