Bradford woman's book to be launched at Pitt-Bradford event

BRADFORD, PA – 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 the University of Pittsburgh at 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.