remembrance

In Memoriam

We have to talk about the other side of cervical cancer. The side of loss.

These are just some from our community and beyond who have died from cervical cancer. Their stories not only matter, they need to be perpetually in motion. Everything we do as an organization includes their footprint — their hope for a different future.

We met some of them from attending Cervivor Schools together, and others we got to know in virtual settings like Creating Connections and through our Facebook group I’m A Cervivor!. Some people come into our community seeking support from others who truly understand the burden of cervical cancer and others decide that patient advocacy is their calling.

It is truly our stories that connect us. These stories that we read and reread, often finding an intersection with so many of them. These stories continue to fuel us, inspire us and give us our wings, as Holly Lawson would often say.

Many of these women never hesitated in offering support to others. Each brought their own strength, humor and honesty to so many inside and outside of Cervivor. Like Grace, who found Cervivor in 2020 and was a huge presence within our virtual community. Many were also dedicated advocates who were shame resilient and knew they wanted to transform the narrative of cervical cancer.

Nothing about having or living with cervical cancer is easy and dying from it brings a great sadness that ripples through our community, leaving us devastated yet profoundly grateful for the experiences we shared. Together we find comfort and the strength to move forward with purpose.

The fact that our sisters, mothers, daughters, partners and friends continue to die from cervical cancer means our work and support is crucial. We will always remember those who sought connection, an understanding of their disease or the willingness to shine a light on cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2018, there were approximately 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed globally and about 311,000 died from the disease. Cervivor wants to change these statistics.

By honoring these and so many other women, we make a promise to carry on their legacies in the work we do every day. Together. We will not stop.

Jeanette Acosta… We will not stop.

Grace Chantiam Bracci… We will not stop.

Laura Brennan… We will not stop.

Curtissa Clay… We will not stop.

Amanda Filkins… We will not stop.

Kristen Forbes… We will not stop.

Debbie Jane Forsyth… We will not stop.

Rebekah Elizabeth Fowler Griffin… We will not stop.

Dawn Fraga-Mejia… We will not stop.

Lisa Riebersal Moore… We will not stop.

Alissa Gores… We will not stop.

Elizabeth (Lizzi) Marie Haas… We will not stop.

Princess Ruth Joanna Howard… We will not stop.

Dr. Tessa Maria Klein… We will not stop.

Holly Latrelle Lawson… We will not stop.

Christine Lerch… We will not stop.

Heather Lyn Martin… We will not stop.

Angela Mckibben… We will not stop.

Catherine “Cat” Odderstol… We will not stop.

Iona Pierre… We will not stop.

Kelly Pozzoli… We will not stop.

Brittaini Qadri… We will not stop.

Nanette Quitanilla… We will not stop.

Teolita Rickenbacker… We will not stop.

Jillian Scalfani… We will not stop.

Erica Frazier Stum… We will not stop.

Brittany Wagner… We will not stop.

Mary Lucille Fuller Walker… We will not stop.

Becky Wallace… We will not stop.

Carneese J. Williams-Ackles… We will not stop.

If you would like to honor a loved one who has passed from cervical cancer, please fill out this form.

Remembering a Dear Friend: Carey Fitzmaurice

During Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month we feel like it’s so important to talk about all GYN cancers. I couldn’t let this month end without talking about ovarian cancer. I’ve been trying to come up with the right words all week to describe my beautiful friend Carey who passed away this summer. I feel like I should honor her with the perfect words and they just aren’t coming to me, perhaps I’m just too sad that she’s not here.

I miss her. Carey was a wonderful Mom to her two boys. She loved her sorority. She was one of the fiercest ovarian cancer advocates I knew and now she’s gone. I hate that. I hate cancer. What I love is that Carey was a team player, always supportive and always sharing our Cervivor message. She was witty, smart and a girl’s girl.

I’m honoring Carey the best way I know how. By sharing her story and painting my toes teal. Please take a moment to learn more about my amazing friend Carey and her organization, Teal Toes. It’s not too late to paint your toes teal!

— Tamika

The following was taken, in part, from Teal Toes.

Carey-FitzmauriceCarey Elizabeth Fitzmaurice, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, died on June 15, 2015, at her home in Bethesda, Maryland, with her family by her side. She had ovarian cancer. Carey was the founder, president and animating spirit of Teal Toes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms.

Carey was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2006. In the years that followed, she pursued her vision of using fun—painting toenails teal — for the serious purpose of educating women and men to the subtle signs of ovarian cancer. (Teal is the color for ovarian cancer awareness.) Carey founded Teal Toes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of ovarian cancer. Teal Toes creates a way for survivors and friends alike to show solidarity and support for ovarian cancer survivors, and to use an unusual color to spark conversations about symptom awareness.

Teal Toes has reached tens of thousands of people nationally and internationally, distributing more than 400,000 symptom awareness cards since its inception. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance awarded Carey the Cindy Melancon Spirit Award for 2015 in honor of her courage, passion, and tireless work on behalf of the ovarian cancer community. Teal Toes has become embedded in the national conversation about ovarian cancer.

Carey lived life to the fullest, before and after her diagnosis. She loved her red Mustang convertible, the Beatles, the Carolina Tar Heels, mint chocolate chip ice cream, poodles and much more. She was an avid traveler, introducing her sons, Elijah and Sam, to diverse cultures through frequent trips around the world. Most of all, Carey was an extraordinary mother to her sons, and wife to the love of her life, her husband Andrew.

Near the end of her life, she wrote: “All you need is love. It has been true for me. I didn’t have beauty, fame, success or other things like that, but I did have the love of family and friends that made me what I was and sustained me when things were rough. Please continue to apply that love to each other. And, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”