^{Jim Tyree}

Jim Tyree, the Mesirow Financial chairman and CEO who came to the rescue of the Chicago Sun-Times last year, has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. 

Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed reported online Tuesday that Tyree, 52, is awaiting test results to determine what stage the cancer is in before deciding on a course of treatment. “I have the backing of some of the best doctors in the world and am prepared to fight this with the support of my family, my work family, and friends,” Tyree told Sneed.

It’s the latest in a series a health challenges Tyree has faced since he was diagnosed with diabetes at age 24. He since has undergone kidney and pancreas transplants and four eye surgeries. He also has had a defibrillator implanted in his chest.

Tyree led a group of investors who acquired Sun-Times Media and saved the financially troubled newspaper from liquidation. He serves as chairman of the company. News of Tyree’s condition came the same day more than a dozen layoffs were announced throughout the company, which includes eight daily and 50 weekly newspapers. Among four editorial jobs cut at the Sun-Times was that of former sports columnist Carol Slezak, who recently shifted to feature reporting.