End STIgma

Empowering Change for Cervical Cancer Survivors

Give 8/28 is a national giving day dedicated to supporting Black-led nonprofits. Cervivor is sharing the incredible impact of your support on our mission to eradicate cervical cancer and improve the health outcomes of Black women and marginalized communities. 

At Cervivor, we are committed to addressing the disparities in cervical cancer education, treatment, and prevention among Black women. Our mission is to empower individuals with knowledge and resources so they have access to care, promoting early detection, and ultimately, reducing the burden of cervical cancer in our communities.

1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: As Cervivior continues its longstanding commitment to diversity work with the addition of Kimberly William’s role as the Chief DEI Officer, Cervivor has expanded and developed four diverse private groups to provide a safe, relatable space for members to express how cervical cancer impacts their lives and their communities.

2. Advocacy and Education: Along with our premiere educational patient advocacy program, Cervivor School, and the Cervical Cancer Advocacy Retreat for Communities of Color, our team and dedicated volunteers have been working tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of regular screenings and HPV vaccinations. By participating in community events, health fairs, and online campaigns, we aim to normalize conversations around all things cervical cancer.

3. Support for Cervical Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Thrivers: We offer emotional and practical support to those diagnosed with cervical cancer. From connecting patients with our support group, Creating Connections, to providing educational resources, we strive to create a strong network of empathy and care during their journey no matter where they are located.

Give 8/28 is a pivotal opportunity for us to expand our reach and amplify our impact even more. Your generous contribution on this day will directly enable us to:

  • Expand our educational initiatives to reach more communities.
  • Provide increased access to diverse, equitable, and inclusive spaces for those impacted by cervical cancer.
  • Strengthen our advocacy efforts to eliminate disparities in cervical cancer outcomes.

How can you help?

1. Donate: Visit our donation page on August 28th to contribute towards our Give 8/28 campaign. Your support, no matter the amount, will make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.

2. Spread the Word: Share our mission and the importance of Give 8/28 with your friends, family, and colleagues across all social media platforms. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change.

3. Volunteer: If you’re passionate about cervical cancer and health equity, consider joining our team of volunteers. Your skills and time can contribute to making a lasting impact.

By supporting Cervivor on Give 8/28, you are directly contributing to our efforts to eliminate cervical cancer disparities within our communities. Together, we can achieve better cervical cancer outcomes for Black women and marginalized populations.

We thank you for your unwavering support. We look forward to standing beside you on Give 8/28 and beyond.

Finding My Footing After Cervical Cancer

In 2019, my beautiful son was born. I had my first abnormal pap a month after his birth.

A year and a half later, with multiple colposcopies, I was finally told to have a LEEP. A month later, I got a phone call from my gynecologist while at work. It was the phone call that changed my life; I was told that I had adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

I rushed home with tears in my eyes. Not wanting to tell my husband or, for that matter, my mother. She had just started feeling better after her own treatments and a stem cell transplant. Her hair was finally growing back. How can I share this news with her, that I, too, have cancer? My brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2018, my mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2019, and then a year after her diagnosis, I was told I had cervical cancer. How can this be happening to one family? What did we do wrong?

The very next day, I distinctly remember asking myself, “How did I not know what HPV was? How did I not know there is a vaccine to prevent my cancer?”. I needed to create awareness for my fellow lady friends. We need to be made aware of what our pap tests are looking for. 

Being a new mom is already a challenge. Your whole world has turned upside down for this beautiful little creature who never sleeps, constantly eats, and cries all the time. I was already drowning. I absolutely love my son, but at that moment in time, I felt like I lost a part of who I was. Now, I’m just a mom, not Victoria.

Then a cancer diagnosis slaps you in the face.

My Family

Surviving cervical cancer gives you a whole new perspective on life. My attitude towards living and being a part of my family has changed dramatically.

My son, Jude, is now three years old. Knowing that cancer was in my body and knowing that if I didn’t find it or treat it, he would have been left without a mom; tears up my heart. I cherish every moment I have with him. Yes, even the crazy tantrums and the days I want to pull out my hair!

When my mom had her stem cell transplant, I was one of her caregivers. I saw firsthand what it was like to watch your mom fight for her life. I was fortunate enough to not have to go through radiation or chemotherapy; my son only knew mommy was “ouchie” (after my radical trachelectomy) and to let me heal.

I am here for my family. I am present in all things good and bad.

Being shown that cancer doesn’t discriminate on your age, really made me appreciate life and live it to the fullest. No more saying “well, maybe one day, I’ll do it” – now is the time!

My Friends

Explaining to my friends that I had cervical cancer truly felt like an out-of-body experience.

Like me, they were very uneducated on what HPV was and how it can cause cancer. My goal at the time wasn’t to create awareness, but more to let them know what was discovered and my treatments. My friends are the family I chose, and they needed to know.

Having this conversation and sharing everything with my friends is really what drove my desire to get involved in advocacy.

Creating Awareness

Bringing awareness to cervical cancer has been the biggest part of making my survivorship count.

As I mentioned, I had no idea what they look for during my pap test and just how important that truly is. How science and researchers have discovered a vaccination that can prevent certain HPV cancers.

During this cancer journey, I have found my voice. I need people to hear it, and not just hear it, listen! Educating my friends & family became my priority.

Originally, I shared my story and created awareness through social media. I attended a conference held in Toronto, Ontario, called “Health eMatters”. Here I met other advocates and heard about their journies. I have learned tips/tricks and other resources/tools to engage with more people.

My mom and I have started an Instagram account about a mother and daughter duo fighting cancer together. This is a newly formed platform and I’m excited about the possibilities and the number of people we can reach!

Being a survivor of cervical cancer, I find it is my responsibility to share my story and create awareness of cervical cancer. Don’t ignore the uncomfortable five minutes of a pap test! Get your vaccination!

If I help just one person or encourage just one person to get their pap test, I have done my job as a cervical cancer survivor and advocate.

Ending the Stigma

I, along with a lot of my Cervivor friends, have taken the challenge of stimga head-on.

We all know that cervical cancer has a stigma with it because it is related to HPV. So, it must be a “dirty” cancer. Educating the world about how common HPV is and how most people will have it at one point in their lives. Most immune systems are able to fight it off, while some aren’t so lucky and it can turn into cancer.

I was told I had cervical cancer caused by HPV and I automatically went to the thought of, “How? I’ve been with my husband for over ten years!”. I had no idea HPV could lay dormant for years!

So, back to educating because this is important. Everyone needs to know that just because you have cancer caused by HPV, it does NOT mean you “sleep around” or that you are “dirty”. It only takes one encounter!

We must end this stigma. I am not ashamed of it. I am not embarrassed. I will voice it loud and clear that I had cervical cancer and that you can prevent yourself from getting it.

TOGETHER, LET’S END THE STIGMA around cervical cancer!

Future

Looking towards the future, I would love to be able to connect with other cervical cancer survivors in Canada and truly make a support group here.

I want to be able to help those who have been newly diagnosed and be able to provide them with as much information and support as humanly possible.

I want to share my story with media outlets and really create awareness here in Canada. I’ve been talking with my local MPP about getting the Gardasil vaccination a priority and covered by our OHIP here in Ontario.

There are many steps left in my future of making my survivorship count. I am only two years out from being cleared of cancer and I’m just getting started on my advocacy!

Victoria Falla is born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She is a 33-year-old cervical cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with stage IB2 cervical cancer in 2020. Victoria is an active cervical cancer advocate who will make her survivorship count with every breath she takes.