Susan Evans will give a presentation on her newly released book, “Don’t
Write The Obituary Yet” at 7 p.m. Monday, May 19, at Pitt-Bradford.
The
event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. in the
Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. It is being
sponsored by the Friends of Hanley Library.
In
addition to the presentation, the evening will include a question-and-answer
period with Evans, which will be moderated by John Schlimm, award-winning
author of 15 books and nationally renowned artist, activist and inspirational
speaker and television celebrity.
Evans, who is in remission from
ovarian cancer, wrote the book with her doctor, Dr. Thomas C. Krivak, a noted
gynecologist/oncologist in Pittsburgh with the Allegheny Health Network.
The
work is an unusual account of Evans’ first day and all the days thereafter when
she was told she had ovarian cancer and never had a sign or symptom, other than
a swollen ankle. She describes her journey, using humor and compassion, and
offers candid and insightful advice for those who may face the disease one day.
The
book has earned significant endorsements. Dr. Larry Maxwell, retired U.S. Army
colonel and chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Inova
Fairfax Women’s Hospital, praised the book’s narrative. “It provides
reflections on issues of fear, treatment, physician-patient relationships, and
marriage that are all affected in women faced with this diagnosis.”
Jennifer Gangloff, a cancer survivor
and research managing editor at the Mayo Clinic, said, “It is with wit, wisdom
and candor that Evans explores both the little details and the larger picture
of cancer, from an unexpected diagnosis through the unexpected recovering in
this engaging page-turner.”
But
there is more than the book itself. Susan and husband, George, have established
the Evans-Krivak Gynecological Cancer Research and Education Fund under the
auspices of The Pittsburgh Foundation. All proceeds from the book are donated
to the fund. The fund’s mission is to improve the clinical treatment and
personalized care of women with ovarian and gynecologic-related cancers and to
support education for physicians who seek specialization in such cancer
treatment and care. One aim is to provide the research findings with physicians
everywhere, with an emphasis on aiding physicians in rural areas.
Evans
is a retired English teacher at Bradford Area High School and a native of
Pittsburgh. She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Slippery
Rock University and a master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University.
Krivak
is a graduate of The Ohio State College of Medicine and interned at the Walter
Reed Army Medical Center and the National Cancer Institute. He is an U.S. Air
Force veteran.
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