This April, as we mark both National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month and Minority Cancer Awareness Month, Cervivor, Inc. is doubling down on its pledge to dismantle barriers in cervical cancer care.
Rather than focusing on “minority” health, however, we’re shifting the focus to health equity. Our mission is to ensure that every individual – regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or zip code – has access to life-saving treatment, survivorship resources, and education.
A Call to Action
On Tuesday, March 26th, Cervivor’s Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder addressed attendees at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s HPV Policy Symposium about the devastating impact cervical cancer has on us individually, nationally, and globally. This preventable disease has claimed too many lives and altered countless others.
But we have the power to change this narrative. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, along with screening and diagnostic tests, are groundbreaking tools in our mission to eliminate cervical cancer – and we’re committed to making them accessible to all.
“Every patient, every voice, and every cervix matters. Prevention is available, and we can make a difference,” Tamika said at the symposium. “Together, we can create a future where no one has to suffer from this preventable disease. It’s time to push the needle even further and end cervical cancer once and for all. We need to double down on safety, efficacy, and promotion of vaccination. Preserve access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment care – it’s the only way we can achieve elimination.”
The Road to Success
Achieving a future free from cervical cancer requires addressing systemic barriers that prevent marginalized communities from accessing life-saving care. At Cervivor, equity is a core value driving our purpose. We recognize that disparities in healthcare access and outcomes hinder progress against this preventable disease. What can we do to help?
Making Screenings and Vaccinations Widely Available: Increase the availability of screenings and vaccinations in underserved areas, making it easier (not harder) for individuals to take control of their health through mobile clinics, community health centers, work and school-based programs, and pharmacies with expanded services. Addressing barriers such as transportation, finances, language, and cultural competence, plus increasing awareness and education through community outreach, too!
Remembering and Honoring those Impacted
As we push toward the goal to eliminate cervical cancer, we remember the lives that have been lost and the voices who demand to be heard.
Laura Brennan: A Voice for HPV Vaccination
Laura Brennan‘s courage and resilience in the face of cervical cancer continue to inspire us. The young Irish woman’s life was tragically cut short, but her story serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for collective action to prevent others from the same fate.
Dr. Nina Rickenbacker Edwards: A Passionate Advocate for Awareness
Dr. Nina Rickenbacker Edwards‘ life was forever changed when her daughter, Teolita, was diagnosed with stage IV cervical cancer. Nina became a passionate advocate for cervical cancer awareness and dedicated herself to educating others about the importance of prevention. Through her tireless efforts, Nina honors Teolita’s memory and inspires others to take action to end cervical cancer.
Joey Feek: Country Singer Silenced by Cervical Cancer
The world mourned the loss of country music singer Joey Feek, who passed away from cervical cancer in 2016. Feek’s life and career serve as a testament to the profound impact cervical cancer can have on individuals, families, and communities.
The Time is Now!
To eliminate cervical cancer, we must confront the systemic barriers, inequities, and injustices that have allowed this preventable disease to persist. In recognition of National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month and Minority Cancer Awareness Month – and as Cervivor marks its 20th year – we’re calling on our community to support our Tell 20, Give 20 awareness and fundraising campaign. A donation of just $20 can help us continue to “push the needle” toward ending cervical cancer once and for all.
During January’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM), the 5th annual Cervical Cancer Summit powered by Cervivor, Inc. brought together patients, survivors, advocates, researchers, and healthcare professionals to share knowledge, build community, and inspire action toward ending cervical cancer. Held in Washington, D.C. – where Cervivor was founded 20 years ago – it marked a monumental milestone in the organization’s efforts to ensure no one faces this preventable disease alone or at all.
The 2025 Cervical Cancer Summit drew patients and survivors from around the world, joined here by other advocates, experts, and supporters.
Reflecting on a Transformative Weekend
From January 23 to 26, 2025, the JW Marriott and The National Press Club buzzed with energy as attendees participated in impactful discussions and engaging activities. The weekend kicked off with a Thursday afternoon scavenger hunt to iconic D.C. landmarks and wrapped up with a Sunday morning self-care session for attendees. Friday and Saturday featured nearly 40 speakers and drew over 150 participants, including about 40 virtual attendees. All gathered to explore the latest advancements in cervical cancer advocacy, prevention, and treatment.
Looking back at another successful Summit, it’s clear that we are stronger together, and now is the time to deepen our collective commitment to making every cervix matter. (Cervivor even commemorated this new mantra, “Every Cervix Matters,” with new merchandise for CCAM.) As Cervivor’s Founder and Chief Visionary, Tamika Felder, encouraged the crowd in her welcome address, “Despite everything going on in the world, there is hope. I know it because of the work that all of you are doing, and we know that work will not be stopped.”
From start to finish, the Summit fostered powerful connections and inspired personal transformation. On the left, Cervivor’s DEI Chief, Kimberly Williams, welcomes attendees, while participants relax during a self-care-focused Sunday service including yoga and mindfulness.
7 Highlights from the 5th Annual Summit
Since its inaugural virtual gathering in 2020 during the pandemic, the Summit has become the most well-attended annual event for cervical cancer patients and survivors. It’s the place to discover groundbreaking solutions and identify missed opportunities, so key stakeholders – especially those in Cervivor’s global community of those impacted by cervical cancer – can collaborate to drive meaningful change. Some of the powerful highlights included:
1. Inspiring Keynotes
At left, Cervivor Chief Visionary and Founder Tamika Felder gave her annual State of Cervical Cancer address, mapping out a vision for a cervical cancer-free future. On Saturday, keynote speaker and cervical cancer survivor Trish Toro (right) inspired the crowd with her triumph over adversity.
From Cervivor Chief Visionary and Founder Tamika Felder’s essential State of Cervical Cancer remarks on Friday morning to the inspiring story of endurance athlete and cervical cancer survivor Trish Toro, our keynote speakers highlighted the strength and resilience of the cervical cancer community.
In her speech, Tamika expressed solidarity with attendees: “I know firsthand what it feels like to lack support, visibility, and community. That’s why I created this organization,” she explained. “Looking at where we are now, it’s undeniable – the power of this community and the importance of raising our collective voices for change cannot be ignored.” She also noted how uplifting it was to see so many in teal and white but reminded the audience, “Don’t be dismayed if not everyone knows our ribbon colors or that January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. More and more people are understanding that this is our month to shine.”
Trish, Saturday’s keynote speaker, shared the irony of her diagnosis – she was training for an Ironman competition when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. “I was in the best shape of my life. I could swim a mile. I could run 31 miles,” she said. “But cervical cancer doesn’t discriminate. I decided to approach cancer like I would a marathon – because I can do hard things.” With that mindset, she chose to walk to and from her cancer treatment center, always accompanied by a supportive friend or family member, she tearfully recounted.
2. Powerful Panels
Two of the impactful panel discussions included “Equity in Action” about addressing healthcare disparities and the “Power of Storytelling” with three cervical cancer survivors turned advocates.
Multiple panels highlighted the critical work being done to address disparities in care and amplify patient voices, which Cervivor believes are the real experts needed to shape research, clinical trials, and public health initiatives.
The “Power of Storytelling” panel with Cervivor’s Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer Kimberly Williams, MHCM, and cervical cancer survivors and advocates Aisha McClellan and Arlene Simpson, demonstrated how they’ve transformed their personal narratives into powerful teachable moments for their close friends, families, and broader communities.
“Be patient with yourself,” encouraged Arlene, who was initially hesitant to talk about her cervical cancer diagnosis due to stigma in her community. “Let yourself heal from the journey. If you’re not ready to tell your story yet, don’t tell it. But know that your story is important. There’s someone out there who’s going to take it to heart, and it’s going to spread.”
Attendees were fully engaged during the “Equity in Action” session, featuring experts on cancer care gaps such as Dr. Susan Vadaparampil, Senior Member and Professor at Moffitt Cancer Center; Dr. Lynn Richards McDonald, Clinical Program Director for cervical cancer screening at Johns Hopkins Hospital; and Dr. Isabell Scarinci, Clinical Psychologist at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. While sharing a personal story from her childhood in Brazil, where she had polio, Dr. Scarinci expressed her vision for a world where cervical cancer is as rare as polio – another vaccine-preventable disease: “I dedicate my work to cancer elimination because I’ve seen the end of one disease,” she said. “I want to see the end of another.”
3. Interactive Sessions
In sessions on navigating financial toxicity due to overwhelming medical bills, becoming shame-resistant, and other key topics, attendees were encouraged to ask questions and share their perspectives.
To empower participants with practical tools and resources, four panels addressed highly relevant topics:
Trauma-Informed Care and Building Shame Resilience with Dr. Stephanie Broussard, Director of Social Work at Thyme Care and Vice President of Policy for Adjuvant Behavioral Health
Managing Medical Debt with Cervivor’s Community Engagement Liaison, Morgan Newman, MSW; Nurse Navigator, Glenda Cousar, RN, BSN, OCN; and Cancer Support Community’s Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Daneen Sekoni
Navigating Clinical Trials with Tiffany Drummond of Opinionated STEM and cervical cancer survivor and patient advocate Linda Ryan.
4. Cervivor Awards
From left, the Cervivor Champion Award winners included Pamela Akers, RN, Cindy Craddock, and St. Jude’s Julia Brown, MPH, and Andrea Stubbs, MPA, and Glenda Cossar, RN, BSN, OCN.
From left, more Cervivor Champion Award winners included Glenda Cossar, RN, BSN, OCN, and Ginny Marable.
Ginny moderated a session on the “Pathway to Parenthood” with cervical cancer survivors Dulcely Tavarez and Anna Ogo, who have all faced fertility challenges due to their cervical cancer treatments. The session concluded with the first presentation of the Virginia “Ginny” Marable Cervivor Baby Gift Fund to Dulcely, an emotional moment for Ginny, Dulcely, and Tamika who joined them on stage. Generous donations to the fund included over $2,500 in financial contributions, as well as baby essentials from Dr. Brown’s, and gift cards from Target, Starbucks, and more.
Tamika Felder and Ginny Marable presented the first-ever Cervivor Baby Gift Fund to Dulcely Tavarez.
5. Meaningful Connections
Throughout the weekend, attendees explored informational booths and participated in engaging activities, including the KickIt Pajamas Party Powered by Cervivor, Inc. on Thursday evening. Tracy Weiss, a cervical cancer survivor and Executive Director of Chick Mission, spoke to the group, setting a warm, vibrant tone for the weekend.
On Thursday night, attendees donned pajamas for a fun get-to-know-you event, while cervical cancer survivor Tracy Weiss from Chick Mission inspired the group.
6. Collaboration
Another central theme of the Summit was collaboration, focusing on innovative strategies to ensure that everyone – regardless of background or location – has access to life-saving screenings, treatments, and HPV vaccinations. Sessions included:
“Expanding Access and Reducing Barriers through HPV Self-Collection” and “What’s the Latest in HPV Vaccination?” – moderated by Dr. Linda Eckert, author of Enough: Because We Can Stop Cervical Cancer – sparked valuable discussions on overcoming barriers to care and promoting health equity.
During the HPV self-collection session with Dr. Carolyn Kay and Vanessa Bennett, attendees were encouraged to open and handle the tests provided by Roche Diagnostics, exploring the impact of self-collection on increasing screening access.
Participants also gained historical context on cervical screenings through a reading by Dr. Wendy Kline, author of Exposed: The Hidden History of the Pelvic Exam
A talk on the evolution of cervical cancer screenings from Dr. Kyle Bukowski, Medical Director at Hologic emphasized the groundbreaking impact of the Pap test when it was first introduced in the 1950s.
Teamwork makes the dream work! The experts on stage participating in a session on the latest in HPV vaccination included: Dr. Linda Eckert, Deanna Kepka, PhD, MPH, (Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI)), Andrea Stubbs (St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program), and Zuli Garcia (Cervical Cancer Survivor).
On the final day of the Summit, participants gathered in The Congressional Room for healing and reflection, including guided sessions by Lisa Simms Booth (left) and Tara Casagrande, and Dr. David Zuniga (right).
Our Heartfelt Thanks
To everyone who joined us in D.C. or followed the Summit online, we offer our sincere gratitude. A special thank you to our presenting sponsors Hologic, Roche, Pfizer, Genmab, and our supporting sponsor, BD, and of course, our volunteers who made this event possible, too.
We left this Summit inspired and ready to carry the lessons learned into our communities. Let’s continue to educate, empower, and advocate. Let’s keep sharing stories, sparking conversations, and working toward solutions. Let’s keep working together.
Together, we are Cervivor Strong. Together, we will eliminate cervical cancer.
Mark Your Calendars!
Join us again in January 2026 for the next Cervical Cancer Summit. Be among the first to receive updates and secure your spot by signing up here. (If you attended this year, don’t forget to share your favorite Summit moments on social media by tagging us and utilizing the following hashtags: #Cervivor, #EndCervicalCancer, and #CervicalCancerSummit). Keep an eye out for upcoming webinars and other Cervivor community events. Your voice and your participation are critical to the mission of ending cervical cancer.
