Uncategorized

Reflecting On 15 Years Cancer-Free

Every year, on May 5, also known as “Cinco de Mayo”, I celebrate my cancerversary. This year I am celebrating 15 years of being cancer-free. Wow! Let me take that in just a few more seconds – 15 years! – What a blessing. Fifteen years is a big milestone for me. It is a milestone that I thought I would never reach, but here we are.  

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer stage IIB just 3 months after I retired from the New York City Police Department after being a police officer for 20 years. After I retired, my husband and I were ready to enjoy our lives. However, some plans do not happen when we want them to happen. 

My world went dark as soon as I heard “You have cancer”. I did not see the possibility of being here 15 years later. My journey was difficult, to say the least. After 7 treatments of chemotherapy, 35 treatments of external radiation, and 2 treatments of internal radiation (brachytherapy) I was lucky enough to come out on the other side.

I must be honest and say that even when my doctor said I was “cancer-free” I felt lost. Everything was still dark. I did not know what to do. Yes! I was grateful, but I did not recognize myself. I did not know the woman staring at me in front of the mirror. She was not the woman I was before. 

Cancer for sure changed my life forever. It took time to put the pieces back together. It is definitely a slow process. Most people think that when you are cancer-free you can pick up where you left off. This is further from the truth. You become a different person. 

It has been a journey of highs and lows while re-inventing myself. I can look at the negative side and say my body has changed, and even after 15 years, there is still the fear of cancer coming back. I live with the physical and mental scars this monster left me. I deal with the many secondary effects of my treatments, and I can go on with so many other things, but I will not. 

I focus on being positive and grateful for every single day. I choose to live every day like it will be my last, but if it is not – I drop to my knees and give thanks. I embrace the good, the bad, and the in-between. It is all part of my gift of life.

Today, I am grateful that I am also part of an extraordinary cervical cancer community. A community of women woven together. We lean on one another, learn from one another, celebrate together, and grieve together when we lose one of our own. I have met women who are courageous, strong, determined, and supportive. Women who have personally inspired and motivated me to make my survivorship count by becoming an advocate of this disease to help other women. 

Therefore, before I end this– I want to remind women to get their cervical cancer screenings and to vaccinate their children (both boys and girls) with the HPV vaccine to protect them from six different cancers linked to the human papillomavirus. Let us protect the next generation.  

Now, let us celebrate today – have a margarita in my name if you wish, but my true wish is for you to consider donating $15 to Cervivor. Please support our mission to educate, and support women with this disease, and end cervical cancer. This is within our reach. 

Patti Murillo-Casa is a Cervivor Ambassador and Cervivor’s Health and Wellness Coach who manages the Survivor Slimdown Facebook Group. She also co-leads Cervivor Español. Patti is a retired NYPD police officer and a 15-year cervical cancer survivor. She resides in NYC with her husband of 25 years where she is a Group Fitness Instructor, Cancer Exercise Specialist, and Health Advocate. 

Celebrating Diversity Every Day Of The Year

April is Celebrate Diversity Month—a dedicated time to recognize and honor the rich dimensions of diversity within our global communities. At Cervivor, Inc., while we spotlight this month with dedicated enthusiasm, our commitment to embracing and promoting diversity extends far beyond April. It is woven into the very fabric of our mission and activities throughout the entire year.

Why Diversity Matters to Us
At Cervivor, Inc., our work centers on cervical cancer awareness and education, areas where the disparities in health outcomes are stark. These disparities are often shaped by diverse ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Acknowledging and addressing these differences is crucial in our fight against cervical cancer.

Diversity isn’t just about recognizing the varied backgrounds of the people we serve; it’s also about ensuring that everyone—regardless of their race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status—has access to the knowledge and healthcare resources they need to prevent and fight cervical cancer.

Get Involved:

1. Education Tailored to Needs – We strive to tailor our educational content and outreach to meet the diverse needs of the global communities we serve. This involves creating materials in multiple languages, considering cultural sensitivities, and providing resources that are accessible to all, regardless of their educational background or health literacy levels. Check out our Educational Materials section here!

2. Diverse Voices and Stories – Our advocacy is built on the stories of real people across the globe who have faced cervical cancer. These stories are powerful, not only for the emotional and personal truths they convey but also because they reflect a spectrum of experiences across different communities. By amplifying diverse voices, we bring greater awareness to the unique challenges faced by different groups and foster a more inclusive conversation about health. Join the mission of Cervivor and share your story today.

3. Partnerships and Community Engagement – Building strong partnerships with other global organizations that work with underrepresented groups is another way we ensure our message reaches as widely as possible. Through collaboration, we can address gaps in information and care that disproportionately impact certain communities. We thank them for being our Partners in Purpose.

4. Training and Volunteerism – We also focus on training a diverse group of advocates. Our volunteer advocates come from all walks of life, and all areas worldwide. They are essential to our mission and bring their unique perspectives and skills to our work, helping us reach more people more effectively. Are you looking for ways to volunteer? Sign up today!

5. Donate – Cervivor works tirelessly to ensure marginalized voices are heard, representation is valued, and opportunities are accessible to all. Your donation not only aids in the advancement of equality but also helps build stronger, more resilient communities where diversity is celebrated and embraced as a fundamental strength.

The Impact of Continued Diversity
The continued focus on diversity enriches our organization and improves the effectiveness of our outreach and education efforts. By understanding and integrating the varied perspectives and needs of the communities we serve, we can make a significant impact on reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.

Looking Beyond April
While Celebrate Diversity Month provides a great opportunity to highlight issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, at Cervivor, Inc., these values are integral to our daily operations. Every day of the year, we are committed to understanding and serving the needs of diverse global communities, ensuring equitable access to information and care, and reducing the health disparities that affect outcomes in cervical cancer.

We invite you to join us in this ongoing work. Whether through sharing information, volunteering, or participating in our programs, your support makes a vital difference. Together, we can ensure that every day is an opportunity to celebrate and nurture diversity, bringing us closer to a world where no one faces cervical cancer alone.

Let’s continue to celebrate diversity, not just this month but every single day, and make a lasting difference in the lives of all we serve.

Apply now for our upcoming Communities of Color Patient Advocacy Retreat and Cervivor School 2024!