WXRT's Lin Brehmer to take a break to fight prostate cancer
CHICAGO - Lin Brehmer, WXRT host for nearly 30 years and an employee for nearly 40, is taking an extended leave of absence to fight cancer.
The message on the station's website Tuesday morning was short.[1] The DJ said he’s been undergoing various treatments for prostate cancer for several years. He told the Chicago Tribune, “This portion of the treatment, I think, will make doing a cheerful radio show improbable."[2]
He begins the heavier rounds of chemotherapy on Monday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Brehmer first came to Chicago's WXRT in 1984 as a music director and, aside from a brief stint in Minneapolis, he's been there ever since. As host he was the morning man for 28 years before he moved to the midday show in 2020.
His will sign off, temporarily, this Friday.
In the message, he asked of his longtime listeners only one thing: "Afford me the kindness you have always shown me."
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Notes & References
Brehmer, Lin. “A Message from Lin Brehmer.” Radio & Podcasts - News, Sports, Music, Events, July 11, 2022. https://www.audacy.com/wxrt/latest/local/message-from-lin-brehmer. ↩︎
Channick, Robert. “WXRT-FM Radio Mainstay Lin Brehmer Announces Medical Leave to Battle Prostate Cancer.” Chicago Tribune, July 13, 2022. https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-lin-brehmer-wxrt-medical-leave-20220712-egtfmby3uvctvkgshaa4uesrqu-story.html. ↩︎