My name is Sue Engels.  I reside in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with my husband, Oliver, and two cats.  I enjoy my career as the VP, IT Delivery and Technical Business Support at Capital Blue Cross.  One of the reasons I went to work for my employer is the commitment they have to our community.

I became involved with the American Cancer Society through walking at a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event several years ago.  I walked with a friend who was three weeks into her diagnosis.  That experience allowed me to face some deep-rooted feelings I had about my mother’s death and my role as a caregiver.  I lost my mother on my 30th birthday to breast cancer.  I slowly became more engaged, first focusing on fundraising and becoming a Pacesetter for Strides as well as the Team Leader for Team Capital Blue Cross.  I then became a volunteer for the event, and in 2021 was the Production Event Co-Lead for a hybrid Strides event since we were still in a COVID restricted environment.  In 2022, we were back in person for the 25 Anniversary Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event, and I was the Volunteer Production Event Lead.  I have remained the Team Leader for Team Capital Blue Cross as well, and two years in a row we have been a top fundraising team for our event.  In 2022, I was selected not only to the Voices of Hope, but also as a Peer Review Stakeholder.  I will serve as part of grant peer review committee focused on Cancer Cell Biology.

My work as an ACS volunteer has provided me fulfillment beyond my wildest dreams.  It has allowed me to feel connected to my community, and to feel that I am fighting a battle my mother was unable to fight.  She is my hero; I volunteer to make her proud.