Photo by Eric Mansfield. Student Sarah Banks, left, and Tech staff member Susan Bowman proudly wear purple in support of the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life fundraiser.
Susan Bowman, the program manager in the School of Materials Science & Engineering, is a breast cancer survivor and a founder of a support group of more than 30 others on campus who have beaten the disease or who are undergoing treatment. She and Sarah Banks, the student committee survivorship and awareness chair, are gearing up for Relay for Life at Tech on April 15.
1. Why did you establish a cancer support group at Georgia Tech?
It was a way to celebrate survival, encourage others and honor the two co-workers who are also survivors and who reached out to me during my recovery.
2. What is the first piece of advice you give to cancer patients?
I urge them to remain hopeful and become educated with the terminology, treatment and technology available. Knowledge is one of the first steps toward recovery.
3. What is the support group’s most important function?
Encouraging others by sharing our personal journeys.
4. What do you talk about during your monthly meetings?
Our conversations are often on a purely social level, sharing our recent family, travel and entertainment experiences. When the need presents itself, we discuss the disease and our personal experiences with treatment and surgical choices. Often it is simply showing understanding from like experiences.
5. What role does the support group play in Relay for Life?
We attend the survivors dinner and walk the first lap — the survivors walk. GT Relay is a campus event coordinated by students. The 2011 chair of awareness and survivorship is Sarah Banks. She is determined to have more survivors than ever before for the survivor event. Her efforts are in honor of her father, who sadly lost his battle with cancer.
6. How emotional is the cancer survivors walk?
It is definitely emotional when you gaze around the track and witness such a huge support system. There are hugs, applause and tears all inspired by the very personal impact cancer makes on our individual lives.
7. Have any members been lost to the disease?
In all these years, we have lost very few. The members who no longer attend regularly have embraced retirement and are enjoying every moment.
8. How long have you been cancer free?
Thirteen years. I was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and had a recurrence the following year.
9. How long have you been the program manager in the School of Materials Science & Engineering?
I have held this job since 1991. My focus is on graduate student recruitment and retention, which is very rewarding. I have built lifelong friendships with the faculty, staff and students. It is very gratifying when our alums stop in for a visit or send updates on their significant life events.
10. And how long have you been at Georgia Tech?
That’s a long story, but I have been on campus most all my life. My first visit to campus was on a date to a Jackets football game in 1971 with my high school sweetheart. Later, we married and moved into student housing. Now we commute to campus together. My husband, David (Arch 77), works on campus in Design and Construction. We have three wonderful children and three darling grandchildren. I am alive to say, “There is a wonderfully fulfilling life after cancer, and I’m definitely looking forward to retirement!”
Twitter