MGH recognizes woman's work against cancer
By Ben Terris
Town Correspondent
Just one month after her husband Michael passed away from lung cancer in September 2003, Newton resident Susan Zuker found herself parked behind a car with New Jersey license plates that read “Conquer Cancer.” A year and a half later, Zuker would be responsible for more than 1,500 applications for these same plates in Massachusetts.
For her work bringing Conquer Cancer plates to Massachusetts, Zuker will be honored on June 3rd as one of the Massachusetts General Hospital’s The One Hundred. The one hundred gala honors individuals and groups who have made a difference in the fighter against cancer, and will be at the Westin Copley with guests like Oscar-Winning actor Chris Cooper, Boston Bruins Defenseman Aaron Ward, Mayor Thomas Menino and a keynote address by Elizabeth Edwards.
“Michael’s passing left such a void in my life, and the best thing I could do to try and fill this void was do whatever was in my power to keep it from happening to others,” Zuker said.
With no seed money, Zuker said that “getting the word out proved to be a bit of a problem at first.” She would set up at malls and county fairs wit her family getting people one-by-one to sign up for the plate.
“It took some time, but there are just so many people affected by cancer that the applications just kept trickling in,” she said. “It didn’t matter if we were at a mall or a biker bar, everyone treated us the same, because in the end everyone has the same cancer stories, no matter who you are.”
On January 25, 2006, the two-year anniversary of Michael’s death, Zuker presented the applications to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. In August, the plate designs—penned by Zuker’s son Jonathan and featuring an eternal flame with a teardrop, a sunrise, and a boat —was officially unveiled at the State House. Zuker said that her organization has raised around $300,000 just in selling the plates—which cost $40 a year.
Because of the lives she has touched and the one’s that have touched her, Zuker describes her experience with the Conquer Cancer organization as “life changing.”
“Through my work on this project I have met more wonderful people than I ever thought possible,” she said. “For all the work I put into this, it has given back way more than I could ever put in.”
To check out the Conquer Cancer website click here.
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Susan is an amazing person and inspiration to so many of us. We need to hear more about stories like hers...Cheers to Susan and to all of the heroes on the 100 and beyond, we are so grateful!
If there is one person I know that truly deserves to be honored for all her time and commitment towards this horrific disease, its Susan Zuker! Susans love for her late husband Michael and her passion,drive and dedication has made her what she is today. It shows all of us that if you work hard enough for somthing you believe in, nothing is impossible.
Congratulations Susan
I met Susan after hearing about Conquer Cancer; like Susan I am considered a "young widow". I find her to be inspirational both in how she handles the challenge of being widowed, and how she has made a difference our community (and I suspect beyond) by putting her heart into Conquer Cancer. I am another proud plate holder, and Wear Out Cancer tshirt wearer! Congratulations Susan!
We are Susan's other parents.
We want you to know that Susan was a shy individual,;but when she decided to put her time and strength into her vision of organizing something to help others who are experiencing the worry and sorry that she had gone thru and to perpetuate the memory of our dear Michael,her husband and our son,she is working hard to raise money to help Conquer Cancer.
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