On March 14th, 2025, Cervivor had the incredible opportunity to host a table at The Foundation for Women’s Cancer – Patient and Advocate Education Forum, part of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 2025 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer in Seattle. This event brought together patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates for a powerful day of education, connection, and advocacy.
The forum featured leading medical professionals who shared the latest breakthroughs in gynecologic cancer care. One of the highlights of the day was the Patient Advocacy and Empowerment Panel, where national and local patient advocates shared their lived experiences, offering hope, support, and practical strategies for making an impact in the cancer community.
Among the panelists were Selena Rushton, National Cervical Cancer Coalition Pacific Northwest Chapter Leader, and Arlene Simpson, a dedicated Cervivor community member. Each brought a unique and powerful perspective to the discussion.
Selena Rushton shared her journey of living through stage 4 cervical cancer, a diagnosis with an often daunting five-year survival rate. She spoke about the incredible resilience it took to overcome the odds and how, after fighting for her life, she found a renewed sense of purpose through advocacy. Selena has since used the skills she gained in her corporate career to amplify awareness, educate others, and support fellow survivors. Her story is a testament to the strength and determination of cervical cancer survivors, proving that even in the face of the most challenging diagnosis, hope and impact are possible.
Arlene Simpson, also a dedicated member of the Cervivor community, shared her deeply personal journey. Despite growing up in a family filled with medical professionals, Arlene had never heard about HPV until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She spoke about the guilt and shame she initially felt—emotions many survivors experience due to the stigma surrounding this disease. However, through finding a supportive community like Cervivor, she was able to reclaim her voice, break the stigma, and turn her experience into advocacy.
Arlene’s Story:
Sharing my story was not easy coming from a very strict and disciplined family. Once my treatment was over, many questioned my decision to share my personal story in public. The reason I share my story is because of those who are afraid, unseen, or unheard. I want to be a familiar face and voice to someone who relates to me. Being one of the very few Asian Americans in Cervivor, I feel it’s very important for me to amplify my voice so others will know they are not alone in this fight.
It was a humble experience being in a panel with other gynecologic cancer survivors. We all had our unique stories but, what brought us all together was being united in our mission to help other patients and medical professionals understand that the patient’s voice, the patient’s stories, and their cancer treatment choices and decisions are crucial in these types of medical conferences.
It’s much more than being just a number in a report. We are living proof of the treatment, trials, and patient care that our cancer care teams provide. We provide the invaluable piece of the puzzle that one cannot get from a medical report alone. We are the HEART that beats or stops beating. Our voices matter!
At the Cervivor table, we had the privilege of connecting with survivors, caregivers, and advocates, sharing our mission of education and empowerment. The conversations we had reinforced the importance of sharing our stories, raising awareness, and advocating for better prevention, treatment, and survivorship care.
Beyond the panel discussions, attendees explored essential topics like managing treatment side effects, integrative medicine, and sexual health—critical issues that often go under-discussed but have a significant impact on quality of life.
A Powerful Story of Advocacy and Care
Another unforgettable moment at SGO 2025 was Aisha McClellan’s powerful speech, delivered on the main stage during the conference’s opening session—a moment that truly set the tone for an impactful and inspiring event.
Aisha took the stage alongside her oncologist, sharing her journey through diagnosis, the importance of finding an oncologist who truly cares, and the power of patient advocacy. She opened up about the challenges she faced early on, where she was met with dismissive care teams who assumed she would not survive. But Aisha refused to accept that fate. She fought tirelessly to be heard, advocating for herself across multiple hospitals until she finally found an oncologist who stood by her, fought for her, and ultimately saved her life.
Aisha’s story was raw, emotional, and deeply moving, highlighting the critical role of patient-centered care and the life-saving impact of advocacy. Her words resonated deeply with the audience, and by the time she finished speaking, the entire room was on its feet, giving her a standing ovation—a moment of recognition for her strength, resilience, and the powerful message she delivered.
The Power of Survivor Voices in Research & Clinical Care
One of the most powerful moments of the event was during the final session, where I was deeply moved by the recognition of patients and survivors as essential voices in clinical trials, research, and daily hospital operations. Seeing researchers, oncologists, and healthcare professionals actively listening and valuing the lived experiences of survivors reinforced the progress we are making in patient-centered care. It was a reminder that our voices matter—not just in advocacy spaces, but in shaping the future of gynecologic cancer care itself.
Why Events Like SGO Matter
Gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancer, don’t just affect individuals—they impact families, communities, and the healthcare landscape as a whole. The SGO Annual Meeting provides a vital platform for survivors and patient advocates to be at the table with researchers and clinicians, ensuring that the patient perspective is heard loud and clear.
As Cervivor continues to advocate for eliminating cervical cancer and improving survivorship care, we encourage all survivors to share their stories—because they truly matter. Every story has the power to inspire, educate, and spark change.
Were you at SGO 2025? We’d love to hear about your experience! Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out to us at [email protected]. Together, we are stronger.
About the Authors
Anna Ogo is a passionate cervical cancer survivor, and Cervivor Ambassador from Kent, Washington. Diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2021 after a routine health check, Anna faced her diagnosis with resilience, undergoing a radical hysterectomy, radiation therapy, and IVF for fertility preservation. Now a proud mother through surrogacy, as well as a loving dog and cat mom, Anna serves on the leadership team of the HPV Free Washington Taskforce. A 2022 graduate of Cervivor School, where she learned how to turn her experience into advocacy, Anna channels her journey into raising awareness about HPV, its vaccine, and the importance of early detection. Anna shares her story to inspire change, empower others, and promote accurate information about cervical health.
Arlene Simpson is a cervical cancer survivor and advocate residing in Bothell, Washington. She was diagnosed in September 2021 and underwent external radiation, chemotherapy, and Brachytherapy. She will be 3 years with no evidence of disease (NED) come March 2025. Arlene is a loving mom, a devoted wife, a Financial Services professional, and a dedicated leader in her church. She is very passionate about helping others and giving back to her community by volunteering in various ministries where she shares the importance of the HPV Vaccine, getting annual exams and pap tests, and sharing her story to raise awareness, especially in the Asian-American communities. She believes that being part of a community (like Cervivor) that understands and cares, along with having strong faith and a positive mindset, has gotten her through the many challenges in her cancer journey.
