With Susan Evans leading the cause, September will be officially recognized as Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in Pennsylvania this year and moving forward.
Ovarian cancer has had a personal impact on Evans’ life, as she is a survivor. Her experience led her to take charge in bringing awareness to what has been called the “orphan cancer” because of the lack of recognition that it receives.
Ovarian cancer is diagnosed annually in nearly a quarter of a million women globally, and is responsible for 140,000 deaths each year. Symptoms are often associated with more common and less serious conditions, and in Evans’ case, symptoms could seem completely unrelated to ovarian cancer.
“My ankle was extremely swollen, I thought it was just a sprain,” said Evans. “It’s not on the list of symptoms, which speaks to the lack of awareness and research that has gone into ovarian cancer.”
While her diagnosis may have been one of the darker moments in Evans life, she saw a silver lining in her oncologist, Dr. Thomas Krivak. He took a special interest in her case, eventually leading to a collaboration in her book, “Don’t Write the Obituary Yet,” which takes a personal perspective in handling being diagnosed, while maintaining a high-spirited and good-humored tone.
“With cancer, you have no choice but to participate if you are going to get well, so you might as well do it joyfully,” Evans said.
Her light-hearted approach partially stemmed from the treatment she received from Krivak, who comforted her with his down-to-earth personality and strong and genuine effort to see her through to recovery.
The book has sold over 1,300 copies to date. Through the sale of the book and donations she has raised over $120,000 during the past three years.
All proceeds from the sales of the book are donated to the Evans-Krivak Gynecological Cancer Research and Education Fund, established by Susan and her husband, Dr. George Evans, under the auspices of The Pittsburgh Foundation.
Since her treatment, Evans has hit the ground running, bringing awareness in Pennsylvania and across the nation with her presentations and speeches.
On Dec. 8, 2015, Evans was recognized on the floor of the Pennsylvania Senate for her efforts to bring about awareness of ovarian and related cancers. During April of 2016, she appeared in a television discussion program with Sen. Mario Scavello, who represents five counties in the Pocono area, to expand her efforts to bring about ovarian cancer awareness and the need for research funding.
On June 1, 2016, she was a panelist on coping with cancer and its costs hosted by Rep. Dan Miller of the Mount Lebanon area in Pittsburgh.
In April 2016, she was the cover story for Faith magazine, the diocesan magazine of Erie and a feature story in Views and Voices, the magazine for women in the Sharon area.
Evans slowed down in her pursuit to get ovarian cancer recognized in Pennsylvania, as she penned a letter back in April of this year requesting a day in September to bring awareness.
Her request received a lot of support, bringing both Republicans and Democrats to agree on a bipartisan resolution that would make September ‘Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.’
Later this month, Mayor Bill Peduto of Pittsburgh will issue a proclamation recognizing “Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month” and Evans’ proposal for such recognition.
“No matter which side of the political spectrum you fall on, this is something that everyone can get behind,” Peduto said via email about the proclamation. “It’s about time we come together to face these important challenges.”
For more information on ovarian cancer, visit ovariancancerday.org. To find out how to donate to the Evana-Krivak Gynecological Cancer Research and Education Fund, contact (412) 394-2604.
