LEIDER

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 05:59:13 :

San Francisco Chronicle
Sunday, September 1, 2002
A-2

Suzanne Leider -- sarcoma activist
Chronicle Staff Report

Suzanne Leider, a sarcoma cancer sufferer who founded the Sarcoma Alliance in Mill Valley, died Aug. 8 at her home in Napa. She was 35.

A native of Long Beach, Ms. Leider grew up in Newport Beach and received a psychology degree from UCLA. She then moved north and received her nursing degree from the University of San Francisco in 1991.

It was during her first nursing job at the Veterans Administration hospital in San Francisco that Ms. Leider discovered she had synovial sarcoma, a rare and virulent form of cancer. Despite the cancer, Ms. Leider continued with her career, working at the UCSF Medical Center and studying for a nursing master's degree.

In 1999, after years of successfully battling cancer, Ms. Leider began the Sarcoma Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides education and information about sarcoma treatment and options.

Through its Web site, www.sarcomaalliance.com, the organization helped survivors connect, share information and support each other. The alliance also created a newsletter and local support groups for sarcoma sufferers.

Ms. Leider is survived by her partner, Elizabeth Steinfeld of Napa; parents Jack and Sharon Leider of Newport Beach; sister Stephanie Leider of Sausalito; and brothers Jeffrey Leider of Los Angeles and Philip Leider of San Francisco.

A funeral service was held in Newport Beach on Aug. 12. A memorial service is planned for Sept. 21. The location has not been determined.