Contact:          Tania Banak, University Relations Specialist
608/263-6716, banakt@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
Date issued:    January 23, 2008

MADISON – A lifelong interest in science and medicine, both veterinary and human, has motivated Milwaukee native Barbara A. Suran to leave her estate to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.

Her goal is to provide the school with the resources needed to tackle the pervasive issue of cancer.  To attain her goal, Barbara has established the Barbara A. Suran Oncology Research Institute. 

“I want the school to be able to attract the best scientists, so we can conquer this horrible disease,” she said. 

Her desire is based on first-hand experience.  Two of her beloved champion standard poodles succumbed to cancer.  Jamie died of osteosarcoma and Donna LaRose died of acute leukemia. 

Barbara’s intent is for the first portion of her estate to fully fund the Barbara A. Suran Oncology Faculty Chair Fund.  This will enable the school to hire an internationally recognized, distinguished expert in oncology.  The remainder of her gift will be used to endow the

Barbara A. Suran Fund for Oncology Medical Science Research Excellence.  The proceeds from this fund will be directed by the Barbara A. Suran Oncology Faculty Chair to support research related to cancer cures and treatments that will benefit both animals and humans. 

“This is an incredible step forward for the school,” said Dr. Daryl Buss, the School of Veterinary Medicine’s dean.  “Naming a faculty chair in oncology, combined with the Barbara A. Suran Fund for Oncology Medical Science Research Excellence, will allow us to recruit the profession’s very best experts, who in turn help attract other quality faculty.  We deeply appreciate Barbara’s gesture and her confidence in our oncology program and in our school.”

Barbara, who wanted to become a veterinarian earlier in her life, is pleased to help make the world a better place by tackling the cancer issue.  Her love of animals began early.  After she was a student at the University of Wisconsin, she found a painted turtle and made it a pet.  She also had four other turtles, plus tropical fish and goldfish.  She did studies on these animals as well as on birds, canines, and other animals.  She wasn’t allowed to have a dog while growing up, but was thrilled to finally get her first standard poodle after she was married.

After years of sharing her home with standard poodles, she has now transitioned to miniatures.  Her current companion, Naughty Nadine, weighs in at a mere five pounds, in contrast to the 50-plus pounds of her previous dogs.

Losing a beloved pet is always devastating.  She recalls that after her dog, Jamie, died of osteosarcoma last October (2007), she heard about a dog in California that recovered from the same cancer after being given a new drug.

“I’m hoping Wisconsin can become the leader in cancer research,” Barbara said.  “I’d like my gift to make Wisconsin number one in this field, and to benefit both dogs and people.”