August 17th marks National Nonprofit Day, a day to recognize the tireless efforts of organizations making a difference in their communities. Cervivor, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting cervical cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and beyond. What sets Cervivor apart is its leadership and staff, comprised of cervical cancer survivors, ensuring a deep understanding of the community they serve.
Tamika Felder, Founder and Chief Visionary As a 23-year cervical cancer survivor, Tamika knows firsthand the importance of support and advocacy. She created Cervivor to fill gaps in those sharing their stories, those receiving care, and those seeking crucial resources. “Cervivor is my passion and purpose,” she says. “I’m committed to ensuring no one faces cervical cancer alone.”
Morgan Newman, MSW, Community Engagement Liaison Morgan’s experience as an 8-year metastatic and recurrent survivor and social worker drives her to connect community members with vital resources. “I understand the struggles and triumphs,” she shares. “I’m dedicated to helping others navigate their journey.”
Kimberly Williams, MHCM, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer A 5-year metastatic and recurrent survivor, Kimberly’s story fuels her passion for equity and inclusion. “Everyone deserves access to quality care and support,” she emphasizes. “I work to ensure Cervivor’s resources reach all who need them.”
Cervivor, Inc. provides comprehensive support, including patient resources and community connections. Their staff understands the journey, offering guidance and empathy. They empower community members to take control of their health and well-being. Cervivor, Inc. is also a vocal advocate for policy changes that benefit the cervical cancer community. They work tirelessly to ensure equitable access to healthcare, screenings, treatments, and vaccination. Their efforts have led to upholding health equity no matter where you’re located.
On National Nonprofit Day, we invite you to join Cervivor’s mission:
We can make a difference in the lives of those impacted by cervical cancer. Visit https://cervivor.org/ to learn more and get involved. Let’s continue to celebrate the power of nonprofits like Cervivor, Inc. and work towards a future where everyone can thrive past a cervical cancer diagnosis.
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.”
(From Left to Right: Dr. Goje, Dr. Beffa, Dr. Amarnath, Dr. Sutherland of the Cleveland Clinic, and Kimberly Williams, Chief DEI Officer, Cervivor, Inc.).(Ms. Chantel Wilcox of Langston Hughes shared the mission-driven work in the community).
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.
(Cassie Ricci, Roche Diagnostics, discusses the latest for self-collection).(Dr. Leeya Pinder pays acknowledgment to Mrs. Henrietta Lacks during an impactful session).
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.
(Cervivor Español and Latinx Attendees).(Dr. Mary Sia Uy-Kroh, MedWorks Board Member, sharing how Cervivor was making a world of impact).
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!
Lindsay Gullatte-Lee (Mentor) and Gwendolyn Jackson (Attendee) in their white Cervivor Cares tees.(A snapshot of programming Cervivor offers).
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.
