Sarah Madison Romero

Sarah Madison Romero was a bright light to all who encountered her. An LSU cheerleader and Chi Omega sorority sister, active in her church and her community, she loved life and showed everyone how to celebrate and live it to the fullest. Upbeat, cheerful and energetic, she also worked tirelessly taking care of her family and friends and loved helping others.

But, life circumstances would dominate the final quarter of her life. A woman of incredible strength and spirit, Sarah faced almost two decades of cancer battles with courage. Over the years, Sarah became passionate about Mary Bird Perkins and embraced the Cancer Center’s mission by becoming a loyal donor. After Sarah’s passing, her longtime best friend, Nancy Nuzum Hodgins, and Nancy’s brother Robert started an endowed fund in Sarah’s honor.

Each year, Nancy, Robert, Sarah’s husband, C.D. Romero, and other longtime friends would invite Sarah’s family and friends to make a gift to the Cancer Center on her birthday to honor her joyful spirit and love of celebrating important milestones.

In 2019, they successfully reached the goal of raising $100,000 to fully endow her fund, ensuring the earnings from her fund will provide the vital resources needed to shape and secure the future of cancer care in ourcommunity and beyond.

“When we originally had the idea to create the fund and realized we needed to raise $100,000, we honestly thought we would never reach that goal — it seemed like such a challenge,” Nancy said. “But in the end, it was surprisingly easy. Sarah touched so many lives. People wanted to honor her memory and support her as she had done them.”

Their success in reaching the goal of creating an endowed fund shows the power that a group of friends can have to come together in honor of someone important that they have lost.

“She possessed a spirit filled with light and one that was not dimmed by cancer,” said Kim Davis, a long-time friend.