It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Doris Helene White Soares, a devoted wife, mother, friend, and tireless advocate. Doris faced a long journey with synchronous cervical and uterine cancers with incredible determination, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and advocacy that will continue to inspire all of us.
“I had the distinct honor of interviewing Doris—whom I fondly referred to as “Miss Doris”—on an episode of the Cervivor Podcast. In that conversation, she shared her experience of being diagnosed with cancer later in life, and how she never stopped using her voice to break the stigma surrounding the disease,” shared Joslyn Chaiprasert-Paguio, Cervivor Ambassador and Podcast Host.
Doris reflected on her diagnosis during their interview, recalling how it came unexpectedly. “Who knew that my cervix would act up during the same year in which I qualified for Medicare?” she shared. “Cervical malignancies were for younger, pre-menopausal women, right?” She voiced her frustration with the stigma surrounding HPV and its connection to cervical cancer, challenging the harmful notion that cancer should be a source of shame. Doris refused to remain silent. She boldly declared in an email to Joslyn, “This middle-aged wife and Nana has absolutely no intention of shouldering the stigma, and I suggest you don’t either. Our cells may betray us, but we can find power in knowledge, support, and self-awareness.”
Doris was a passionate advocate who regularly attended support group meetings including our monthly Creating Connections and quarterly Cervivor Noir MeetUps. She candidly shared her journey and encouraged others to do the same. Though petite in stature, Doris’s presence was enormous in her dedication, kindness, and support. It’s no surprise that so many in our community often wished they could embody even a fraction of the grace and composure that Doris so effortlessly extended to everyone she met.
A gathering of the Cervivor Noir virtual support group to bring together cervical cancer patients and survivors who identify as African American and/or Black.
Her advocacy extended far beyond her own journey. Doris was steadfast in her commitment to encourage others, always urging those in the various support groups she attended to share their stories and lift one another up. Her poise, generosity, and unshakable commitment to fighting cervical cancer and dispelling stigma inspired everyone she encountered. Her legacy of advocacy and compassion will continue to guide others facing similar challenges.
Doris’s presence was a symbol of hope and encouragement, and she leaves behind a profound impact on all who knew her.
Yvette Torres reflected on Doris’s influence: “In the Creating Connections Zooms, I got to know Doris through her openness about her story and cancer journey. She inspired me with her strength and dedication to advocacy in her later years. Despite her health struggles, Doris had such a zest for life and appreciation for each day given to her. I will miss seeing her on Zoom and hearing her voice and laugh.”
A group photo captured of the Creating Connections monthly virtual support groupheld in early 2023.
Christy Chambers, who admired Doris’s grace, shared: “Doris was the epitome of grit and grace! She embraced her cancer journey, and under immense pressure (working, parenting, 2 different cancers, etc.) created an amazing legacy that we can all admire. We were blessed to experience the freedom she felt when she lost her hair – ‘wash and go,’ she said! We laughed at the stories she told of shocked church members who wondered how she could have a gynecological cancer. We were humbled when she cautioned us to slow down and rest. Like a pearl, her iridescent spirit will shine on through her family, her writing, and through those of us who had the opportunity to be in her world.”
Gwendolyn Jackson shared a heartfelt memory of Doris: “Though Mrs. Doris has passed, her warm greeting of ‘Good Morning, Beautiful Lady’ will forever echo in my heart. Her kindness and light will be missed, but her words will always remind me of the beauty she saw in me, and in the world.”
As we celebrate the life and legacy of Doris, we invite you to share your cherished memories of her and reflect on the ways she inspired you. Take a moment to revisit Miss Doris’s heartfelt writings, where she shared her wisdom and insights:
Pictured to the left is one of Doris’s handwritten journal entries.
These personal essays offer a glimpse into her spirit and continue to inspire us. We welcome you to read, share, and remember Doris’s impact on your life.
Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action is this Sunday, November 17. It marks the global goal set by the World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. Since the WHO announced its strategy in 2020, nearly 200 countries have committed to the mission, and numerous global and national groups have joined the call.
But we won’t reach this goal if we don’t roll up our collective sleeves and do the work. Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action is an important reminder that the fight is still on. It is especially meaningful to many in our Cervivor community, including Cervivor Ambassador and Cervivor Español Co-Lead Karla Chavez.
Karla Chavez
“As a cervical cancer survivor, this day hits close to home. It’s not just about setting targets – it’s about making sure the tools to prevent and treat cervical cancer reach women everywhere,” says Karla, who will give remarks at a WHO-hosted virtual webinar on Monday, November 18, about frontline workers and the cause. “I know firsthand how life-changing these resources are, and it means so much to see us actively working to make sure no one else has to endure this disease.”
So, what are the targets?
Global Guidelines to End Cervical Cancer
The WHO’s “90-70-90” strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 includes these key global targets:
HPV Vaccination Rate: 90% of girls get the HPV vaccine by age 15. Doing so protects them against high-risk HPV strains that can cause cancers in the cervix, vagina, vulva, head, neck, mouth, and anus (the last four in men as well).
Improved Screening: Make sure 70% of women get screened for cervical cancer by age 35 and again by age 45. Pap tests find abnormal cells that can become cancerous, while HPV tests check for the virus – aiming to catch risks early.
Better Access to Treatment: 90% of women with early signs of cervical cancer receive treatment, and 90% of women with invasive cancer get the care they need to manage and treat the disease effectively.
Is it possible to eliminate cervical cancer completely? The WHO estimates that cervical cancer will become a rare disease – rather than a common health threat – when fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 women are diagnosed each year.
How Are We Doing?
Globally, approximately 350,000 women continue to die each year from cervical cancer. When the WHO set its guidelines in 2020, the number was around 311,000, which shows the significant challenges in meeting the targets, particularly in economically disadvantaged countries. It also highlights the ongoing need for global action to end cervical cancer.
The outlook in the U.S. is encouraging. This year, approximately 4,360 women are expected to die from cervical cancer, a significant decrease from the 1970s and ’80s when annual deaths reached up to 10,000. The U.S. is getting closer to meeting the WHO’s targets, thanks to rising HPV vaccination rates, although it still falls short of the 90% goal. According to the CDC, in 2023, 76.8% of adolescents had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, and 61.4% were fully vaccinated. While access to screening and treatment is strong in many regions around the country, disparities persist.
Educate to Eliminate Cervical Cancer
How can the Cervivor community support the global mission to end cervical cancer? One powerful way is by sharing life-saving information to “Educate to Eliminate,” starting with these 4 Crucial Facts about HPV and Cervical Cancer.
Just as important, continue sharing your Cervivor Stories – because you never know who needs to hear them. Stories like U.K. Cervivor Samina Cepal, whose cervical cancer was detected during a routine Pap test, or Washington-based Pamela Akers, who had regular Pap tests but still had “below the belt” issues. The lessons learned? Regular screenings are key to preventing cervical cancer, but it’s also essential to listen to your body beyond routine exams so you can seek care early, as the WHO advocates.
Samina CepalPamela Akers
This also requires frontline healthcare workers to have the resources needed for accurate screenings and proper treatment. Cervivor Ambassador Karla, a patient advocate on the WHO’s Living Guidelines team for Cervical Cancer Screening, emphasizes these medical professionals’ important role in ending cervical cancer. “I deeply appreciate the struggles frontline workers face. They’re dedicated but need our support – whether for tools, training, or recognition – to make a real difference in women’s lives.”
Or, you could decide to be a frontline worker yourself like Anh Le! Diagnosed as a medical student in 2018 with a rare, aggressive form of cervical cancer, Anh underwent lifesaving surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering, which motivated her to become an OB/GYN oncologist to help cancer patients. She’s now cancer-free and doing her OB/GYN residency.
Donate to Eliminate, Too!
On this Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, let’s honor those who continue to fight the good fight – like Samina, Pamela, Karla, and Anh Le – and those who lost the battle, like my friend Heather. While it’s heartbreaking to think that today’s prevention tools could have saved her life, the fact that we have them now is the best reason to make this day count.
At Cervivor, we’re asking our community to commemorate the day by donating $17 on November 17 to support our critical work in regions most affected by cervical cancer. Donations will help fund Cervivor School Kenya (2025) and a Cervivor Cares community awareness event in Honduras, where Karla lives, among other initiatives.
We’re also amplifying the WHO’s goal with our November 2024 podcast featuring Dr. Trisha L. Amboree, a public health expert at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, who discusses the importance of the Elimination Day of Action. The episode airs on Sunday, November 17.
Check out our many other resources on Cervivor.org and learn how you can get involved or share your cervical cancer experience on Elimination Day and every day.
SARA LYLE-INGERSOLL is a seasoned 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 connect with Cervivor’s founder, Tamika Felder, and solidified her commitment to cervical cancer awareness and prevention. Now, as Cervivor’s Communications Director, Sara brings this mission full circle. Her previous roles include Editor-in-Chief of The Finder in Singapore, Deputy Editor at Woman’s Day, Lifestyle Director at Good Housekeeping, and Senior Editor at Jane Magazine. Based in Denver, she is a boy mom of a blended family and enjoys good food, travel, and all the sunsets.
