cervical cancer awareness

Cervivor’s Pap Rally & Run: A Cervical Cancer Awareness Event to Save Lives and Honor a Sister’s Legacy

By Kyle Minnis, Cervivor Communications Assistant

Cervivor’s signature Pap Rally & Run is more than a cause walk or run — it’s a movement fueled by love, loss, and a fierce commitment to saving lives from a preventable disease. 

In 2007, Cervivor Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder, a 25-year cervical cancer survivor, began hosting annual walks in Washington, D.C., and New York City to raise awareness about cervical cancer. In 2014, these events were rebranded as the Pap Rally & Run and have since brought thousands of people together in support of prevention and early detection. Today, it stands as a powerful example of community-driven advocacy, uniting survivors, loved ones, and supporters around a shared purpose. 

Participants at a previous Pap Rally & Run in New York City. 

The latest Pap Rally & Run will take place on the morning of May 9, 2026, at Buddy Holly Lake Recreation Area in Lubbock, Texas. Hosted by Cervivor supporter Amy Fulton in honor of her sister, Ashley Doyle — who passed away from cervical cancer at 35, leaving behind her young son, Michael — the event carries forward a deeply personal mission with far-reaching impact.

In reaching out to Cervivor about organizing the event, Amy shared, “Ashley’s cancer was caused by HPV — something that is preventable through vaccination, routine Pap tests, and early detection. Like many families, we never imagined this would become part of our story. By the time we fully understood what was happening, our lives had already changed forever, especially for her son, who now has to grow up without his mom.”

Tamika reflects on the deeper impact of stories like Ashley’s, emphasizing how loss continues to shape families and fuel the mission behind the event:

“With Mother’s Day coming up soon, I think about the families forever changed by cervical cancer — children who have lost their mothers, and survivors who lost the chance to become one,” says Tamika, who lost her own fertility during treatment in her twenties. “That’s why the Pap Rally & Run matters. It’s about prevention, remembrance, and action. I’m proud that this movement continues to run, and honored to see Amy carry it forward in her sister’s memory.”

We spoke with Amy about her sister, what inspired her to host the event, and what she hopes others take away from participating. To learn more, register (general admission is $30), or support Cervivor’s life-saving advocacy work, visit the event page.

Q&A with Amy Fulton

Q: Can you share the story behind the Pap Rally & Run and what inspired you to start it?

A: “The Pap Rally & Run was created in honor of my sister, Ashley Doyle, who lost her battle with stage 4 cervical cancer. Ashley had a powerful desire to share her story and help other women understand the importance of prevention — but cancer took her voice before she could. I made a promise to carry that mission forward. This event is my way of giving her a voice again and turning our pain into purpose.” 

Q: How has your sister’s legacy shaped the mission and message of this event?

A: “Ashley is the heart of everything behind this event. Her strength, her love for others, and her desire to help save lives guide every decision we make. The mission is simple but powerful: awareness, prevention, and saving lives. Everything we do is rooted in what she wanted — to make sure no one else goes through what she did if it can be prevented.” 

Amy Fulton (left) with sister Ashley Doyle (right)

Q: What does the Pap Rally & Run mean to you personally?

A: “It means everything. It’s healing, it’s purpose, and it’s my way of honoring my sister every single day. It’s also a way to bring our community together for something bigger than ourselves — to fight for awareness, education, and lives that can still be saved.” 

Q: What are the main goals of the event in terms of awareness, education, and community impact?

A: “Our goals are to educate people about cervical cancer prevention, encourage regular screenings, promote the HPV vaccine, and create a supportive, informed community. We want to break the stigma, start conversations, and make sure people understand that this is preventable.” 

Q: Why is it so important for people to understand prevention methods like Pap tests and the HPV vaccine?

A: “Because cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Early detection through Pap tests and prevention through the HPV vaccine can literally save lives. The tragedy is that too many people don’t know, delay screenings, or don’t have access to information. We want to change that.”

Amy (right) with sister Ashley (left) after shaving her head in support during Ashley’s cervical cancer treatment.

Q: What has the response been like from your community so far?

A: “The support has been incredible. From local businesses donating, to volunteers stepping up, to people sharing the message — it’s been overwhelming in the best way. Our community has truly rallied around this cause, and it shows how much people care.” 

Q: What would you say to someone who is hesitant or overdue for screening?

A: “I would say — please go. Do it for yourself, your family, your future. I know it can be uncomfortable or easy to put off, but early detection can save your life. My sister didn’t get that chance. You still do.” 

Q: For those interested in hosting their own Pap Rally & Run, what steps should they take to get started?

A: “Start with your ‘why.’ Build a small team, connect with local organizations, secure a location, and start spreading awareness. You don’t need perfection — you just need passion. Even a small event can make a big impact.” 

Q: What kind of support or resources are available for communities looking to organize their own event?

A: “Organizations like Cervivor provide incredible resources, support, and education. There are also local health departments, nonprofits, and community leaders who are often willing to help. And I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned along the way.” 

Q: How can people get involved with your upcoming event?

A: “There are so many ways to get involved — register to run or walk, volunteer your time, donate, sponsor, or even help spread the word. Every single effort matters. We’re also welcoming businesses that want to contribute or be part of the event.” 

Amy and Ashley during happier days. Amy says that hosting the upcoming event is her way of honoring a promise to Ashley to raise awareness about HPV and the importance of cervical cancer prevention.

Q: What message do you hope participants take away after attending the Pap Rally & Run?

A: “I hope they leave empowered, informed, and inspired to take action — whether that’s scheduling a screening, encouraging someone they love, or continuing to spread awareness. If one life is saved because of this event, it’s all worth it.” 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about your journey or this event?

A: “This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been meaningful. Grief turned into purpose, and purpose turned into action. Ashley’s story isn’t over — it’s just being told in a different way now. And if sharing it helps even one person, then her legacy lives on exactly the way she would have wanted.” 

Host Your Own

Inspired by Amy’s example? Email us to learn how you can host your own Pap Rally & Run in your community — and help turn awareness into action through education, remembrance, and prevention.

About the Author

The image is a portrait of a young man with dark skin and short, curly black hair. He is wearing a blue collared shirt and black-framed glasses, and is smiling at the camera. The man has dark skin and short, curly black hair. His hair is cut close to his head, with a slight fade at the sides. His eyebrows are thick and well-groomed. He is wearing a blue collared shirt. The shirt is a medium blue color and appears to be made of a lightweight material. It has a relaxed fit and is buttoned up to the top. He is also wearing black-framed glasses. The frames are rectangular in shape and have a subtle curve at the temples. The lenses are clear and do not appear to have any tint or coating. The man is smiling at the camera. His smile is wide and genuine, showing off his white teeth. His eyes are crinkled at the corners, giving him a friendly and approachable appearance. The background of the image is a plain gray color. The gray is a medium tone, neither too light nor too dark. It provides a neutral backdrop that allows the subject to stand out. Overall, the image presents a friendly and approachable young man who appears to be confident and comfortable in front of the camera

Kyle Minnis is a recent graduate of Strategic Communications at the University of Kansas with a passion for digital media, storytelling, and audience engagement. He has experience in content strategy and media production. Kyle is especially interested in the intersection of media, branding, and digital growth.

AYA Cervical Cancer: Advocates and Organizations Breaking Barriers to Care and Survivorship

By Sara Lyle-Ingersoll, Cervivor Communications Director

Adolescence and young adulthood are typically defined by milestones: graduating from college, starting careers, building relationships, and planning families. But for the roughly 85,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. each year, those milestones are often replaced by treatment decisions, uncertainty, and survivorship challenges that can last for decades.

When cervical cancer survivor and Cervivor Program Coordinator Lauren Lastauskas was diagnosed at 23 during college, she remembers how quickly her world diverged from her peers.

Lauren Lastauskas during cervical cancer treatment at age 23 as an adolescent and young adult cervical cancer patient
Lauren, during treatment, at age 23 as an AYA cervical cancer patient.

“I felt so isolated from my friends and peers when I was diagnosed,” she recalls. “I was a full-time college student and working. I was trying to survive and focus on treatment when most people my age were going out for ‘Thirsty Thursday’ and planning summer internships. It felt like I had absolutely nothing in common with them anymore.”

Lauren’s experience reflects a defining reality of AYA cancer: Young patients are navigating cancer while building their futures. More than 2.1 million AYA cancer survivors in the U.S. face barriers that extend far beyond treatment, including fertility concerns, financial strain, and limited access to care.

For AYA Cancer Awareness Week (April 6 to 10, 2026), Cervivor is shining a light on this vulnerable population and the advocates, researchers, and organizations working to improve cervical cancer care, survivorship, and quality of life for adolescents and young adults.

What Is AYA Cancer — and Why Does It Require Specialized Care?

AYA refers to adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 39, a group with distinct medical, emotional, and practical concerns. 

“One thing people don’t realize about AYA cancer is that it’s a specific population with unique needs that lacks representation across the healthcare system,” says Lauren, now cancer-free for a decade and with a decade of healthcare and advocacy experience.

These needs often include:

  • Fertility preservation and family planning
  • Dating, sexuality, and relationships
  • Financial toxicity and insurance challenges
  • School and career disruption
  • Mental health and isolation
  • Long-term survivorship planning
  • Access to age-appropriate support

Unlike pediatric or older adult cancer patients, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cervical cancer must manage treatment decisions while still shaping their identities.

“Cancer doesn’t just end and disappear from your life — its impact stays with you forever,” says Lauren, who lives in Oklahoma with her partner and their dog, Stella. “When you’re an AYA, that means you hopefully, and unfortunately, carry the lasting impact of cancer with you for several decades.”

Cervivor Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder turned that lasting impact into action after surviving cervical cancer in her twenties. 

“At the time, no one talked to me about fertility, long-term survivorship, or what life would look like decades later,” she says, noting that this April 12, 2026, marks 25 years since hearing the words, “You have cancer.” “That experience is part of why I created Cervivor — so young adults facing cancer today don’t have to navigate those decisions alone.”

Newsweek Cancer Rebels cover featuring AYA cancer advocates Tamika Felder and Matthew Zachary
In 2017, Cervivor founder Tamika (bottom left) and Stupid Cancer founder Matthew (bottom right) were dubbed “Cancer Rebels” by Newsweek for their rule-breaking approach to AYA cancer advocacy.

Her fellow Newsweek-named “Cancer Rebel,” Matthew Zachary — a keynote speaker at the 2026 Cervical Cancer Summit Powered by Cervivor, Inc. — has also spent decades advocating for this often-overlooked population.

“Being diagnosed with brain cancer at 21 meant I got a crash course in a system that treats you like an outlier when you’re actually part of a massive, invisible population,” says Matthew, who founded AYA-centered non-profit Stupid Cancer in 2007 and whose upcoming book, We the Patients: Understanding, Navigating, and Surviving America’s Healthcare Nightmare, examines gaps in care. “No roadmap. No one talking about what happens after you survive. And no community of peers who ‘get it’ because they ‘got it.’ So, I built one. Hello, Stupid Cancer!”

Today, Stupid Cancer connects adolescents and young adults through advocacy, education, and its annual CancerCon — the next gathering runs April 30 to May 3 in Seattle — reinforcing that specialized support is essential for young survivors, who face some of the highest levels of psychological distress across oncology.

Fertility Is One of the Biggest Concerns in AYA Cervical Cancer

For many adolescents and young adults with cervical cancer, fertility preservation is one of the most urgent — and emotionally complex — decisions they face.

Echoing Tamika’s AYA cervical cancer experience, Lauren says, “I wish I had known more about my options for fertility preservation before treatment.”

Dr. Lynda Beaupin, M.D., an Assistant Professor of Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, has spent years focused on AYA oncology and oncofertility. Her advocacy contributed to a successful New York State law passed in 2019 requiring insurers to cover fertility preservation for cancer patients at risk of treatment-related infertility.

Dr. Lynda Beaupin pediatric hematologist oncologist focused on AYA fertility preservation
Dr. Lynda Beaupin

“Many young adults survive their cancer only to be blindsided and overwhelmed by the impacts their treatment may have on their family planning and the expenses they will face trying to address those realities,” Dr. Beaupin said at the time. “Many younger survivors simply can’t afford fertility preservation, which can have a devastating impact on their well-being and quality of life.”

Now, Dr. Beaupin and Tamika both serve on the Advisory Council of the Alliance for Fertility Preservation (AFP), a nonprofit that helps patients understand and access fertility preservation before treatment. Through education, advocacy, and a national provider network, AFP supports AYA patients whose therapies may affect their ability to have biological children.

Tamika’s advocacy for young survivors is rooted in her own experience of losing her fertility due to cervical cancer treatment. Decades later, she had an unexpected happy ending — becoming a mom in her late forties through embryo donation and community support. That journey inspired her to create the Virginia “Ginny” Marable Cervivor Baby Gift Fund, which provides hope and financial assistance to survivors pursuing parenthood after treatment.

Reflecting on her AYA diagnosis, Tamika recently told People in an article about her “modern family” that she was working as a young broadcast journalist in Washington, D.C., when her plans were suddenly upended. “I did all the things to get where I wanted in my very young career, and then this comes in, and the bottom drops out.”

Tamika holds her son, Chayton, while standing beside her husband, Rocky, alongside Cervivor Ambassador Ginny, her husband, Sean, and their twin boys, illustrating the supportive community surrounding AYA cervical cancer and adolescent and young adult cervical cancer survivors.
Tamika spoke with People about her “modern family,” which includes her husband, Rocky, and son, Chayton, as well as fellow Cervivor Ginny, her husband, Sean, and their twin boys — all born through gestational surrogacy.

Financial Toxicity Disproportionately Affects AYA Cervical Cancer Patients

When the bottom drops out financially, adolescents and young adults with cervical cancer often face life-saving challenges when they have limited savings, entry-level salaries, or are still in school.

Younger patients may:

  • Have limited or no insurance
  • Choose low-premium plans with high out-of-pocket costs
  • Lose income during treatment
  • Interrupt education or career paths
  • Accumulate debt or file for bankruptcy
Dr. Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC, adolescent and young adult cancer survivor and researcher
Dr. Lauren Ghazal

Dr. Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC, an Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing — and an AYA cancer survivor herself — studies financial toxicity and quality-of-life outcomes among AYA patients. Her work focuses on improving support for young adults navigating both the medical and financial realities of cancer.

“One of the most impactful things we can do is normalize conversations about financial and practical challenges early and often,” she explains. “Even a simple step like asking, ‘Are there any financial or logistical concerns that might make it harder for you to get care?’ can open the door.”

Organizations like Triage Cancer and Cancer and Careers help address these gaps by providing education on cancer-related legal rights, insurance, finances, and employment. Triage Cancer is hosting its free online Cancer Rights Conference on May 15 and 16, while Cancer and Careers will hold its 16th Annual National Conference on Work & Cancer virtually on June 26.

Transportation, Access, and Clinical Trial Gaps for AYA Patients

Young adults with cervical cancer frequently face barriers that go far beyond finances, including transportation challenges and limited access to specialized care and clinical trials.

“Adolescents and young adults often face challenges that don’t get enough attention in traditional cancer care, like simply getting to appointments without strong support systems,” says Taylor Hosier, Director of Patient Navigation at the Ulman Foundation, a nonprofit that provides navigation, housing, and support services for young adults impacted by cancer.

Taylor Hosier, Director of Patient Navigation at the Ulman Foundation supporting AYA cervical cancer patients
Taylor Hosier

Major academic centers — such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, Dana-Farber, Moffitt Cancer Center, and the University of Colorado Cancer Center — offer dedicated AYA programs, but many patients live too far away to access them consistently.

“When I was in South Carolina, I had to travel two hours to see a gynecologic oncologist,” recalls Cervivor’s Lauren of her AYA experience. “That’s common in community settings — smaller hospitals often don’t have specialized providers or supportive services like AYA programs, cancer rehab, nutrition, or clinical trials.”

Regarding barriers to clinical trial participation, Dr. Ghazal says, “Structurally, many trials are not designed with AYAs in mind — eligibility criteria, age cutoffs, and where trials are offered can limit access. Relationally, there can be gaps in awareness, trust, and communication.” To improve enrollment, she suggests, “Designing trials with AYAs — not just for them — is critical.”

Taylor stresses the importance of cross-sector collaboration to close gaps in care. “Cross-sector collaboration can make a real difference by connecting the dots between medical care and the everyday support AYA patients need, like financial help, transportation, fertility services, and mental health resources,” she says. She points to the Ulman Foundation’s Patient Navigation Program as a model, with trained navigators embedded in hospitals and communities to identify barriers early, coordinate care across providers, and ensure AYA patients don’t feel lost in the system.

How to Support Adolescents and Young Adults With Cervical Cancer

Improving outcomes for adolescents and young adults with cancer requires collaboration across healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, and communities. 

In addition to Cervivor and the organizations mentioned above, a network of nonprofits is helping to fill critical gaps in fertility education, financial navigation, peer support, and survivorship resources. They include: 

  • Elephants and Tea — A storytelling-driven community “for and by” AYA patients and survivors that offers articles, workshops, and its AYA Power series to help providers better understand young adult cancer care. 
  • b-present Foundation — Focuses on strengthening support networks for young adults with cancer through programs that help friends and loved ones show up in meaningful, practical ways. 
  • First Descents — Provides free outdoor adventure programs like climbing, surfing, and kayaking to help young adults build confidence, connection, and community after diagnosis. 
  • Dear Jack Foundation — Offers LifeList experiences, wellness retreats, and psychosocial programming designed specifically for adolescents and young adults with cancer. 
  • 13thirty Cancer Connect — Creates dedicated spaces and programming for young adults to connect with peers and access emotional and social support. 
  • Teen Cancer America — Works with hospitals to build age-appropriate AYA cancer programs, spaces, and services to improve outcomes and experiences. 
  • ESCAPE — A grassroots community created for LGBTQIA+ adolescents and young adults with cancer, offering inclusive peer connection and safe support spaces. 

Together, these efforts are helping redefine survivorship for adolescents and young adults with cervical and other cancers, expanding access to fertility counseling, financial guidance, mental health support, and coordinated care.

As Dr. Ghazal says, “What gives me hope is the growing recognition that AYA cancer care is not just about survival — it’s about quality of life, identity, and long-term health and wellbeing.”

This AYA Cancer Awareness Week, remember: When cancer happens during young adulthood, it doesn’t just interrupt life, it reshapes it. And no young person should have to navigate that journey alone.

About the Author

SARA LYLE-INGERSOLL is a content and communications expert dedicated to transforming lived experiences into impactful stories. Her award-winning magazine feature about a close friend who passed from cervical cancer in their twenties led her to Cervivor, and solidified her commitment to cervical cancer awareness and prevention. Now, as Cervivor’s Communications Director, Sara brings this mission full circle.