Megan Reed

Megan Reed, a 28-year veteran of Chicago radio, is stepping aside as midday personality at WILV FM 100.3 while she battles cancer and prepares to undergo brain surgery.

Reed, 50, said Thursday she recently was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer that caused tumors in the brain. Surgery and radiation are scheduled for next week.

“The doctors say that my prognosis is good, and I hope to be back on the air soon,” she said. “If there’s anything I’ve taken out of this it’s that I want people to take care of themselves and make sure that they’re healthy.”

Reed has been on medical leave from the Hubbard Radio adult contemporary station since September 25. Filling in for her from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays on Chicago’s 100.3 is part-time/fill-in host Lisa Kosty.

“Megan is the heart and soul of our broadcast day,” said Greg Solk, senior vice president of programming for Hubbard Radio. “We know all of her fans will join us in wishing her a speedy recovery and a quick return.”

A native of west suburban Batavia and graduate of Iowa State University, Reed started as a summer intern at WXRT FM 93.1 and worked at the former WAUR and WYSY in Aurora before she began a 12-year run at WLIT FM 93.9 in 1989. After a four-year break, she joined WILV in 2005. Married and the mother of three, she also taught broadcasting at Columbia College.

“I know it’s going to take me a while to recover, and I don’t know how long that’s going to be,” she added. “But I miss everybody and can’t wait to be back on the air.”