Terps Honor Ovarian Cancer Survivors

Jacob Susskind and his family have raised nearly one million dollars for ovarian cancer research.
Courtesy Maryland Athletics

Jacob Susskind and his family have raised nearly one million dollars for ovarian cancer research.
COLLEGE PARK, Md.--The Maryland men’s basketball team recognized and honored ovarian cancer survivors during halftime of Wednesday’s win over Rutgers. A cause close to senior Jacob Susskind’s heart, the team has adopted the cause, dedicating their time to raise awareness and find a cure for ovarian cancer.

“It’s amazing what Maryland has done,” Susskind’s mother Shari-Beth, an ovarian cancer survivor said, “We want to make young people aware and as a mother and Maryland fan, I am really proud.”
Jacob’s mother, Shari-Beth, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer eight years ago. She not only beat the cancer, but fought to get back on her feet in what seems to be record time. What should have been a few month recovery period for Shari-Beth after surgery turned out to be a few weeks, as the mother of three was back at work, as a personal trainer, within a couple weeks.

After her recovery, Shari-Beth set out to make a difference in the community and help raise awareness for ovarian cancer. She started by organizing a 5K benefiting the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) in her town of West Orange, N.J. Over the past eight years the run has grown to almost 900 runners and has raised a total of almost one million dollars. The Susskind family team, ‘Team Suss and Us’, has over 100 runners participating in the 5K. The team also has ‘Team Suss and Us’ t-shirts made up, which according to Shari-Beth, Jacob wears quite often. Together both Jacob and his brother Ben, a sophomore at Maryland, have begun to sell the t-shirts to fellow students.
“[Jacob and Ben] said they just couldn’t keep them in stock,” Shari-Beth said of her sons’ fundraising efforts, “They were such a hot ticket and everybody wanted one.”

For the second season in a row, the Terrapins partnered with the NOCC to help raise awareness and promote education about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. During halftime of Wednesday’s match-up against fellow Big Ten newcomer, Rutgers, Shari-Beth Susskind along with NOCC representatives were recognized on the court.

“To raise awareness [for ovarian cancer] on a college campus is so critical,” Susskind said, “As an ovarian cancer survivor I am really excited that Maryland is continuing to raise awareness.”