:CRANBERRY TWP — In 2012 Susan Evans had a swollen ankle that would not heal.

---- After six months of doctor visits and no answers, she finally was given a devastating diagnosis: doctors told her she had stage 3A ovarian cancer, and there was a 25-pound tumor in her.

---- The idea was not only shocking; it seemed impossible.

---- “A 25-pound tumor, that’s the size of a Thanksgiving turkey, or my Sheltie, or a sack of flour that could make 50 pizzas,” she wrote in her book published in 2014.

---- @Agate subhead-9pt:Mistaken

---- @BodyCopy:She was right. It turned out the doctor was mistaken, and her tumor actually weighed 2.5 pounds, though the diagnosis was still a serious one.

---- She had successful surgery, went through chemotherapy and has now been in remission for nearly four years.

---- A native of Pittsburgh, Evans and her husband, George, were longtime residents of Bradford, where she was a high school English teacher for 32 years. About 10 years ago they bought a condo in Cranberry Township where they now live most of the time.

---- Despite Evans’ experience, ovarian cancer has one of the worst survival rates.

---- @Agate subhead-9pt:1 in 4

---- @BodyCopy:Ovarian cancer kills an estimated 14,000 women each year in the United States. One of four women diagnosed die within the first year.

---- One problem doctors face is that there is no sure way to screen for the cancer, meaning most patients aren’t diagnosed until it has already advanced to stage 3 or 4.

---- To help combat this problem, Evans, her husband and her doctor, Thomas Krivak, started the Evans-Krivak Gynecological Cancer Research and Education Fund in 2014.

---- Donations to the fund are collected through the Pittsburgh Foundation.

---- To date, the fund has collected $105,000, all of which goes to Krivak and other doctors for ovarian cancer research or education.

---- Evans and Krivak co-wrote a book about her experience, “Don’t Write My Obituary Yet.” All of the proceeds from sale of the book go to her cancer fund.

---- She said Krivak will not declare Evans is cancer free yet, but she has been in remission with no symptoms for about four years now.

---- Since the book was released, Evans has spoken to more than 50 Rotary clubs and other civic groups. The point of her talks is to share her story — using humor — and spread awareness about the disease and the need for research.

---- She says she tells fellow cancer patients to remain hopeful.

---- “I want them to truly believe that it is not a death sentence. In today’s world there have been so many advancements in medical science,” she said.

---- @Agate subhead-9pt:‘Its awful’

---- @BodyCopy:“No, it’s not going to pleasant. No, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. And, yes, it’s awful. However, if the end results are worth it, then it is worth doing,” she said.

---- She said she believes people are kind at heart, something evidenced through anecdotes in the book.

---- Despite recovering from surgery and going through treatments in 2012, Evans was determined not to miss the Pittsburgh Steelers’ home opener.

---- Longtime season ticket holders, she and her husband made it to the game where many people noticed her hair loss and offered kind words.

---- After telling an usher “we’ve had these seats for 10 years,” she remembers him answering back “‘and we hope you are with us for 10 more years.’”

---- Ovarian cancer is one of the least talked about cancers and receives a small share of the charitable contributions for diseases each year, though Evans said she hopes to make an impact on both fronts.

---- She hopes the medical community can make advances, especially in screening for and detecting the cancer earlier.

---- Evans credits Krivak, a gynecologic oncology doctor, for saving her life.

---- In the book’s foreword, Krivak writes Evans uses humor to help other people affected by cancer. She also pushes for patients to be more vocal.

---- “Just as doctors raise questions to patients, Sue flips that around by very strongly advising patients to question their entire medical team,” he said.

---- To make a donation or to learn more about the fund, visit www.pittsburghfoundation.org/node/27384. Her book is available at www.wordassociation.com.