Sharon Agase Sharon Agase's family has organized a blood drive to honor the mother of three who's suffering from acute lymphoblast leukemia.

"It's very cool so much blood will be donated in my mom's name for so many others at the City of Hope who are in need," said Agase's daughter, Megan.

The type of leukemia found in her mother is normally seen in children, with only about 3,000 adult cases recorded each year, Megan said.

Agase was diagnosed in midOctober after a routine blood test. She had broken a rib a couple of weeks before.

But "an annual physical she had in June showed absolutely no signs of leukemia," Megan said.

Agase and her husband, Steve, moved to Westlake Village in 1992. They have three children. Jeff, 26, and Megan, 23, live in Chicago. Caroline, 19, lives in Westlake Village.

Always active at her children's schools, Agase helped produce musicals at the elementary school and volunteered as Westlake High School's tennis team mom.

Currently at the City of Hope hospital undergoing chemotherapy, Agase is expected to be released in time for Christmas. As a gift to her and to others who are ill, the family has organized the blood drive for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun., Dec. 16 in the multipurpose room at Westlake Elementary School.

"She is a wonderful, loving woman who is amazingly strong and positive. We have all been so blessed with her attitude- if it wasn't for her and her amazing spirit, none of us would be able to get through this," Megan said.

For more information, visit www.teamagase.com.

- Nancy Needham