On July 22, 2025, the Cervivor community lost one of its brightest lights. Caroline Swenson—mother, wife, friend, two-time cancer survivor, and devoted Cervivor Ambassador—passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind a loving family and a legacy that touched countless lives.
Caroline was more than a survivor. She was a connector, a nurturer, and the kind of person who showed up fully—generously, joyfully, and with a radiant smile that made you feel like you’d known her forever. A graduate of Cervivor School Chicago in 2019, she threw her heart into every role: hosting virtual events, leading awareness campaigns, and spearheading initiatives like the Comfort, Care & Compassion Program.
Caroline graduated from Cervivor School 2019 in Chicago.After completing the advocacy training program, Caroline (in striped shirt) went on to a be a powerful voice for change.
Chairing the tote bag program was one of her proudest contributions. It gave her the chance to offer small but deeply meaningful gifts to those newly diagnosed or undergoing treatment. As she shared on the Cervivor Blog:
“I remember very clearly when I received my cervical cancer diagnosis. I was stunned—and though I was surrounded by family and friends, I still felt alone. This is why I love the Comfort, Care, and Compassion Program Powered by Cervivor. Being able to reach out on behalf of our community in a way that says, ‘Hey, we’re sorry you’re going through this. You’ve got this and we are here to support you,’ fills my cup.”
Caroline was always an amazing supporter of Cervivor, creating and selling care kits to benefit the organization.
Even during the pandemic, Caroline helped keep the Cervivor community connected. She brought warmth and humor to virtual events like the 2021 CCAM Wrap Party, co-hosted with fellow Cervivor leader Kimberly Williams. And in one charming CervivorTV video, she and her devoted husband, Zach, welcomed viewers into their Oregon, WI, kitchen for a DIY charcuterie board tutorial featuring “good, old-fashioned pepperoni … because of the little girls.”
Caroline (center right) served on the 2021 Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Planning Committee and helped Cervivor through the pandemic by hosting many virtual events.
Those two little girls—Leila and Maizie—were Caroline’s greatest joy. And they wouldn’t have been possible if she hadn’t been able to preserve her fertility after her first diagnosis in 2012. Then just 34, Caroline received the news while on her honeymoon. In an episode of Cervivor’s Below the Belt Conversations series, she recounted the experience with her signature blend of honesty and humor:
“I had just gotten married, and my husband and I were doing the whole family planning thing, and I got a crazy call from my primary, saying I needed to have a biopsy done.And we did—on our way to our honeymoon, which was kind of funny, but I figured, we were going to Hawaii, so if I got bad news or good news, like, give me a Mai Tai either way, right?
Caroline went on to share that about six months to a year after having her second child, she began experiencing troubling symptoms. Doctors initially suspected perimenopause and sent her back and forth between her OB and oncology.
“Turns out, it was back,” she says in the video. “So then I had a radical hysterectomy—or the remaining parts of that—and then 35 radiation treatments. And I’ve been clear since. Very lucky.”
Sadly, her life was taken far too soon. She passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 45—just 12 days before her 46th birthday.
As tributes continue to pour in on her Facebook page, it’s clear just how many lives Caroline touched. As we grieve the loss of this extraordinary woman, we also rally around her family. To support Zach, Leila, and Maizie, please consider donating to the GoFundMe, co-organized in her honor by Craig Errington and Whittney Dolley.
A photo of Caroline with Zach, Leila, and Maizie appears on the donation page.
On the page, Caroline’s loved ones share fond memories of their home life:
“Her home, lovingly dubbed the Swensonian Institute of Fun Times, was always filled with laughter, music, and the smell of something delicious in the kitchen. More than just a home, it was a sanctuary—where everyone who entered became part of the Swenson story. That’s who Caroline was: a gatherer of people, a creator of joy, and a champion of love.”
Thank you, Caroline, from the Cervivor community—for your generosity, your laughter, and your unwavering commitment to lifting others. Your legacy lives on in every tote bag delivered, every connection sparked, and every life touched by your kindness.
