education

Creating Connections Program Spotlight: Breaking Down Barriers and Building Community

Cervivor’s Creating Connections Program is a ray of hope for individuals affected by cervical cancer. The innovative program is dedicated to cultivating a supportive community, addressing stigma, and providing essential resources through a monthly virtual support group. 

How does the Creating Connections Program help?

The program offers a safe space for people to share their experiences, receive emotional support, and connect with others who understand their journey. It provides:

  • An online support group
  • Educational resources
  • Mentorship and coaching
  • Advocacy and awareness initiatives

“Being a part of the Creating Connections cervical cancer support group has been life-changing. It’s given me a safe space to share my journey, connect with others who truly understand, and find strength in community,” says Cervivor community member Janet Tennyson, who’s been attending the virtual group from her home in California for the last few months. “Through our shared stories and support, I’ve gained hope, resilience, and the comfort of knowing I’m never alone.”

How does Cervivor address stigma?

The stigma surrounding HPV and cervical cancer often leads to misinformation, fear, and silence, which can hinder prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. At Cervivor, we tackle stigma head-on, especially through our Creating Connections virtual meetings. Here are some of the ways they help lessen stigma:

Sharing Personal Stories and Experiences

We create a safe space for individuals to share their personal stories, experiences, and struggles with cervical cancer and HPV-related diseases. By sharing their journeys, we put a face to the disease and show that it can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, or background.

Promoting Education and Awareness

We cultivate an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their experiences, asking questions, and seeking support. We know that education is key to dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding cervical cancer and HPV-related diseases. We provide accurate and reliable information to help individuals understand the disease, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Open conversations help to break down barriers and reduce stigma.

Fostering a Sense of Community and Belonging

We bring individuals together to form a supportive community where they can connect, share, and support one another past our monthly virtual meeting. This sense of belonging helps to alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness, often associated with stigma.

Talitha Stempin, a Cervivor community member from Michigan shares her experience of joining last month’s call, “Creating Connections was so powerful! I connected with multiple people just during one session! I’m thankful for the new friends who GET IT!”

The Creating Connections Program is a testament to the transformative power of community. By tackling stigma and offering vital resources, Cervivor is making a profound impact on lives and cultivating a supportive network for those affected by cervical cancer.

How to Join

If you or someone you know is navigating this journey, know that support, hope, and healing are within reach. Join the Creating Connections Program to connect with others who understand your experience.

Ready to connect? 

  • Register now at https://cervivor.org/events/. 
  • When: The second Tuesday of every month
  • Where: Zoom platform (link provided upon registration)

Take the first step towards a supportive community. Register today and find connection, hope, and healing.

Amplifying Our Cervivor Footprint on National Patient Advocacy Day

Today, we celebrate National Patient Advocacy Day, recognizing the profound impact of patient advocacy in improving healthcare outcomes and advancing policy and research. At Cervivor, we’re proud of our organization’s commitment to empowering patients and families affected by cervical cancer. Through our work, we’ve partnered with esteemed organizations like The National Cancer Institute and The National HPV Vaccination Roundtable, and hold positions on leading coalitions such as The American Cancer Society National Roundtable on Cervical Cancer (ACS NRTCC). 

We’re highlighting the remarkable work of our community members, who have shared their stories, volunteered their time, and mobilized their networks to drive change. Together, we’ve raised awareness, promoted education, and advocated for policies supporting cervical cancer prevention and treatment, as well as HPV vaccination access. Our collective efforts – our “Cervivor footprint” – have led to:

  • Influencing policy changes, such as advocating for expanded HPV vaccination access through the PREVENT HPV CANCERS ACT and ensuring sustained funding for cervical cancer screening services like Medicaid and CHIP funding for Pap tests and HPV testing plus increased support for The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).
  • Contributing to research initiatives like providing patient perspective and expertise to studies focused on cervical cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship; and supporting the development of new diagnostic tools and treatments, including participation in advisory boards for clinical trials and innovative technologies.
  • Providing trusted resources and support programming for patients and families through social media content, community outreach initiatives, virtual and in-person programming, and patient advocacy trainings. 

As we acknowledge the power of patient advocacy, we’re reminded that our work doesn’t stop here. We’re urging our community to take an essential step further with a simple call-to-action: share Cervivor with your local healthcare provider and cancer center. By doing so, you’ll help ensure that those affected by cervical cancer have access to our trusted resources, support programming, and advocacy efforts.

We also acknowledge the dedicated healthcare professionals who partner with us to amplify our mission. Together, we have achieved more. We invite professionals to join us in our purpose by:

  • Partnering with Cervivor on local initiatives, such as immunization coalitions, advisory boards, and research projects
  • Hosting a Cervivor speaker at a local event or virtual gathering
  • Collaborating on a fundraiser to support Cervivor’s mission
  • Sharing expertise through a guest blog post or being a featured guest on Cervivor platforms
  • Joining the Cervivor directory to become a potential speaker for upcoming events like the Cervical Cancer Summit Powered By Cervivor, Cervivor School, or the Cervical Cancer Patient Advocacy Retreat for Communities of Color

Simply submit your information by becoming a Partner in Purpose here. Together, we can accelerate progress toward our mission of ending cervical cancer. Join us in continuing to amplify patient voices, drive research, and support those impacted by this disease.