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Welcome Back
The faculty and students at Robinwood Lane Elementary wore pink Oct. 22 to raise awareness for breast cancer and show support for one of their own.
One year ago, Boardman elementary art teacher Susan Farkas received life-changing news. She had a rare genetic form of breast cancer.
Multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments forced her to leave her students and coworkers for most of last year. But this school year, the 18-year-veteran is excited to be back at Robinwood Lane as a proud cancer survivor.
“The school and people are amazing,” said Farkas. “I never thought I was going through this alone.”
Before Farkas’ first surgery in December, the school rallied together and threw a party, sold bracelets to raise money and collected food and gift certificates.
“The staff was head-to-toe pink and so supportive,” said Farkas. “Principal [Don] Robinson made it feel like it‘s a family here.”
Farkas endured a tough round of chemotherapy from February to May, followed by radiation treatments that finished in July.
“Do you remember when my hair looked like this?” Farkas asked a student, as she held out the old employee identification badge she wore.
The long, brown hair in the picture has been replaced by short, dark, curly hair worn by an energetic woman with a new outlook on life.
“I know it’s clich , but live every day to your fullest and enjoy life,” said Farkas. “Being with kids is what makes me happy.”
She said she hoped that encouraging children to dress in pink for cancer awareness would make them think about their health and be mindful of cancers that can affect their bodies later in life. She brought in cancer awareness stickers for the children to wear that promoted strength and courage.
“I am proud to represent people who have gone through this,” said Farkas. “And I would go through it again, if it would save someone else from going through it.”