Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Resilience and Promoting Health Equity

November marks Native American Heritage Month, a celebration of the rich history, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Native American communities. This month also serves as a poignant reminder of the disparities and challenges faced by these communities, including alarming rates of cervical cancer. 

Cervical Cancer Disparities in Native American Communities

Cervical cancer disproportionately affects Native American women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Indian/Alaska Native women experience higher cervical cancer incidence rates compared to white women. Factors contributing to these disparities include:

  • Limited access to healthcare services, including cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination
  • Cultural barriers and mistrust in healthcare systems
  • Higher rates of smoking and obesity
  • Limited health education and awareness

Empowering Native American Communities

Cervivor, Inc., a non-profit organization, works to eliminate cervical cancer disparities. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, Cervivor promotes health equity and empowers Native American communities to take control of their health.

Let’s share some of our affected Cervivor community members’ personal stories during this important month…

Kristine

Kristine is half Native American and half Caucasian. When she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, she turned to her heritage for strength. It served as a reminder of those who came before her and what it meant to have their blood running through her veins. Kristine expresses, “I believe my strength comes from both sides of my family. We come from a long line of warriors. I was diagnosed with stage I cervical cancer in 2012 when I was 34 years old to which I received a radical hysterectomy. The decisions leading to that were difficult and heart-wrenching as I wasn’t sure our family was complete. I suffered from anxiety and depression for a few years after. Being diagnosed with cancer is difficult – it teaches you humility and vulnerability all the while showing you what strength you possess even years later.”

Nicole

Nicole’s journey with cervical cancer began unexpectedly. A hospital visit for a suspected UTI revealed a startling diagnosis: stage IIIC cervical cancer. Nicole’s life changed forever. The initial shock gave way to determination. Nicole refused to let cancer defeat her, driven by the desire to be there for her children. Having lost her mother at 16, she knew the pain of growing up without a parent. With newfound resolve, Nicole shared her diagnosis with loved ones, finding comfort in their unwavering support. Nicole’s experience has ignited a passion for advocacy. Through Cervivor, she shares her story to raise awareness and promote education. Nicole’s resilience inspires others to confront cervical cancer boldly. Her story embodies strength, inspiring others to confront cervical cancer head-on. And her unwavering spirit encourages open conversations, promotes health education, and honors the resilience of Native American communities during Native American Heritage Month.

Beverly 

Beverly’s courageous journey with stage IIIB cervical cancer began at 40. Amidst fear and uncertainty, Beverly found solace in traditional ceremonies, communal support, and determination. Embracing both spiritual practices and medical interventions, Beverly underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical implantation of radioactive material. Despite community doubts and personal terror, she chose a path blending modern medicine with ancestral wisdom. Beverly faced judgment, whispering, and avoidance, but also kindness from supportive community members. Driving herself to treatments, exhausted and lonely, she persevered. “My song will continue until my last breath,” she says. Beverly embodies Native American resilience, inspiring others through Cervivor. Her spirit honors ancestral strength during Native American Heritage Month.

Get Involved

Native American Heritage Month celebrates resilience, strength, and cultural richness. Addressing cervical cancer disparities requires collective action. Organizations like Cervivor play a vital role in promoting health equity and empowering Native American communities. By sharing stories like Kristine’s, Nicole’s, and Beverly’s, we honor their experiences and amplify the call for change. 

  • Learn about cervical cancer prevention and disparities
  • Support patient advocacy organizations like Cervivor
  • Advocate for health equity and culturally sensitive care
  • Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by promoting awareness and understanding

We can eliminate cervical cancer disparities, honor the heritage, and build resilience in Native American communities.

The Ladies in the White Shirts

Cervivor is committed to making a difference by working to close disparity gaps that continue to plague Communities of Color. This commitment led Cervivor’s Founder and Chief Visionary, Tamika Felder, and Cervivor’s Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Kimberly Williams to unite community members this past weekend from around the world—Honduras, St. Lucia, and U.S. states like Texas, Maryland, California, Alabama, New York, North Carolina, Iowa, and more—to Cleveland, Ohio, for the Cervical Cancer Patient Advocacy Retreat for Communities of Color. This retreat wasn’t just a local event; it was a global movement. We had community members participating via Zoom from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Africa, emphasizing our commitment to advocating for change worldwide.

Empowering Knowledge
Renowned experts from the Cleveland Clinic and Langston Hughes shared their insights on cervical cancer prevention, treatment, and advocacy. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the importance of:

  • Routine screenings and HPV vaccination.
  • The need for cultural competency in healthcare.
  • Ways for them to engage in community outreach and education.

After an expert-led panel, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Kimberly Williams recapped the powerful message, “An educated patient takes action.”

Participants also had the opportunity to discuss self-collection cervical cancer screening and participated in discussions that answered questions about self-collection and its importance in eliminating cervical cancer. This discussion aided the advocates in understanding and promoting self-collection as a viable option for early detection when they return to their communities.

A special session with Dr. Leeya Pinder, who practices both in the United States and Africa, provided a global perspective on the issue of access (not just screening and treatment, but also clinical trials). Dr. Pinder explained the dire need for advocacy to end the disease, highlighting that many individuals with a cervix in these countries lack access to essential screening materials, leading to detrimental results. Her insights allowed participants to see the full circle of need in cervical cancer prevention and treatment.

Turning Knowledge into Action
On Saturday, Cervivor launched Cervivor Cares, which is our initiative to raise awareness about cervical cancer in communities through education, volunteering, and active presence. We engaged in community outreach, raised funds, and supported the mission to eliminate cervical cancer by providing essential resources and promoting access to necessary screening and treatment for all. 

What better way to launch Cervivor Cares, than a Cervivor in Action day after a full day of classroom training? That’s right, our retreat participants increased their advocacy footprint by putting their knowledge into action. They volunteered their time at a clinic hosted by Medworks and the Cleveland Clinic that provided preventative screenings to the underserved community of Cleveland, Ohio. 

It was not only an opportunity for preventive screenings, it was an opportunity for our participants to bring education and empowerment to all those who attended and were touched by our volunteers. Without hesitation, our retreat participants assisted by sharing their stories and expressing the importance of our mission. Our Cervivor Español, attendees translated to and for patients in every facet including the exam room so patients understood the physician’s questions and requests. This group put the information they learned into action immediately. Our participants met people where they were, in their daily routines —urging them to schedule their cervical cancer screenings, attend follow-ups, and the importance of HPV vaccination. 

As they shared their stories and stressed the importance of cervical cancer screenings and HPV Vaccination, the clinic was buzzing with excitement. Patients and staff alike began referring to them as “The Ladies in the White Shirts,” urging others, “You need to go talk to the ladies in the white shirts.”  These Cervivors were educating patients before they even walked through the door, helping them understand that regardless of their past, getting screened and following up on any abnormalities now is crucial. The retreat participants’ presence underscored the importance of the Cervivor mission and served as a reminder that their story mattered, and was already making a difference.

Embracing the Spirit of the Ladies in the White Shirts
As we reflect on this transformative event, we celebrate the spirit of “The Ladies in the White Shirts”—the Cervivor community. Each of you embodies this spirit by wearing your shirt, sharing your story, and advocating for screening. Your dedication makes you a vital part of the movement to end cervical cancer. In the words of Gwendolyn Jackson, “You have prepared me to go out into my community.” If you don’t feel prepared, we have programs available for you!

We encourage everyone to grab your Cervivor Spark, use the hashtags #Screen4Me and #Cervivor, and continue advocating for cervical cancer screenings. By sharing your story and spreading awareness, you become a powerful advocate, helping others access the screenings they need and contributing to a future free from cervical cancer. Together, as a community working to eradicate cervical cancer, let’s continue to make our voices heard, drive change, and support each other in this crucial mission.

Cervivor would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to our sponsors, including Pfizer, Genmab, Roche, and The Marchetta Family (Vince, Amanda, & William in honor of their late wife and mother, Betsy), as well as our in-kind donors, La Roche-Posay, Kafela, Lepley & Co., and Kesh the Creative, for their generous support and contributions to our mission.