Celebrating National Family Caregivers Month: Empowering the Unsung Heroes of Cervivor Community

November marks National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the selfless love, care, and dedication of family and friend caregivers who make a profound difference in the lives of their loved ones affected by cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. At Cervivor, Inc., we acknowledge the vital role they play and the impact a diagnosis has on the entire family.

The Ripple Effect of a Diagnosis

A cervical cancer diagnosis affects not only the patient but also their entire support network. Family members and close friends often take on caregiving responsibilities, providing emotional, physical and practical support. Jillian Walker, sister and caregiver of the late Cervivor Ambassador Jenn Myers, underscores this:

“It’s important for us to recognize the unique experience of caregivers. Taking care of my sister during her battle with cancer was both a rewarding and challenging experience, full of emotions we don’t often talk about. Through my experience, I learned about strength, resilience, and advocacy. Caregivers need a source of support, too. I’m proud to be a part of the Cervivor community by sharing my story on behalf of other caregivers.”

Jillian continues Jenn’s legacy through her partnership with Cervivor, Inc., extending support to others within the community.

Finding Strength in Shared Experiences

Similarly, the Cervivor Podcast shines a light on powerful stories from community members who have navigated the complexities of caregiving.

These episodes offer a platform for caregivers to share their experiences, cultivating connection and understanding among those who have walked similar paths.

The Importance of Supporting the Supporters

While caregivers focus on caring for others, their own well-being can be overlooked. Burnout, stress, and emotional exhaustion are common, and supporting them is crucial. Some ways you can help them:

  • Emotional Support: Caregivers need someone to listen, offer encouragement, and validate their emotions.
  • Practical Help: Assistance with daily tasks, errands, and household chores can alleviate the burden.
  • Respite Care: Temporary relief allows caregivers to recharge and prioritize self-care.
  • Resources and Education: Access to information, workshops, and support groups empowers and strengthens the support network.

Join Our Caregivers Support Initiative

Cervivor, Inc. is committed to supporting caregivers through:

Honor Caregivers This November

At Cervivor, Inc., we celebrate caregivers as vital partners in the journey against cervical cancer. We can and will honor them by listening to their stories and validating their feelings, offering practical assistance to alleviate burdens, and expressing heartfelt gratitude for their selfless love and dedication. Let’s rally around these unsung heroes, ensuring they receive the support and recognition they deserve.

Embracing Fearlessness After a Cervical Cancer Diagnosis

Life often takes unexpected turns, and sometimes these twists reveal a sense of fearlessness we never knew we had. For many in the Cervivor community, this unexpected resilience and strength begins with one of the scariest challenges to confront: a cervical cancer diagnosis. The experience forces us to confront our deepest fears – which some of our Cervivors share below – and find the courage that changes our lives forever.

The Diagnosis

Receiving a cervical cancer diagnosis shakes your world. Fear of the unknown, anxiety about treatment, and worries about the future overwhelm your mind. Initially, many of us feel powerless against this invasive disease. The thought of surgery, chemotherapy, and the potential long-term effects are daunting. 

But let Julie Groob, a survivor who volunteers with Cervivor and attended the 2024 Cervical Cancer Summit, explain how the cervical cancer diagnosis was for her:  

“It’s weird to be relieved to hear the words, “You have cancer,” but that was my reaction. After eight years of recurrent cervical dysplasia, finally, the world of cancer support and services was open to me. Those eight years were lonely, but with a cervical cancer diagnosis, I found the Cervivor community as well as cervical cancer patient advocacy and purpose. Cervivor connected me with women on a very similar journey, who embraced me completely. By meeting them in person, I connected with them beyond our shared cancer diagnosis. Cervivor taught me that my voice, my humor, just being me, and sharing my story could change and save lives. Cancer let me in on a little secret, life is precious, so live life fiercely and joyfully, always.” 

Discovering Cervivor, Inc.

Like Julie, other Cervivor community members often find solace in shared experiences and strength in unity, from attending our monthly virtual cervical cancer support group, Creating Connections, to attending live events like the Cervical Cancer Summit, Communities of Color Retreat, and the premiere cervical cancer patient advocacy training program, Cervivor School. (Read about the recent Cervivor School Minneapolis, which marked the 10th year of the unique program.) 

Here’s how Sara Johney, who graduated from the aforementioned Cervivor School, found her way to Cervivor’s cervical cancer support organization: 

“It was early in my cancer journey, just around the time I was diagnosed, when I found Cervivor. As I developed recurrences and challenges, I never knew how much I would come to depend on my Cervivor sisters. The strength and resilience I learned from these women have helped me in the last few years and even today. I know I will not go down without a fight and anything is possible with God, my family, and the Cervivor community.” 

Empowerment Through Community

Through Cervivor, Inc., many in our community members discover that fearlessness is not about the absence of fear but the courage to act in spite of it. By participating in cervical cancer awareness campaigns, advocacy, and support groups, our members often transform their fear into fuel for change.

Gwendolyn Jackson, who was recently given the Erica Frazier Stum Living Life with Cancer Award and is currently going through cervical cancer treatment, shares: 

“I was looking for a support group for cervical cancer and when I did a Google search, Cervivor came up. Since then, Cervivor has taught me that my story matters and the true definition of advocating for myself and others. I am living fearlessly with stage IVB cervical cancer because of my relationship with Cervivor, which connected me to a clinical trial when I needed it most. The organization also taught me that I’m more than a cancer patient and that I have a voice that can change lives, heal others, and prevent this from happening to anyone else. Cervivor has equipped me to be informed, to feel empowered, and to be alive.”

Finally Finding Fearlessness

A cervical cancer diagnosis can shape your story, but – as Gwendolyn pointed out – it doesn’t have to define you. Fearlessness isn’t something achieved overnight; it’s a journey. Embracing a fearless mindset happens through support, education, and collective strength. 

Here are some ways that you can make a difference in your life and others:  

Together, let’s break the silence surrounding cervical cancer and cultivate a community of powerful patients, survivors, and advocates.