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.

From Advocacy to Support

We believe that patient advocacy is the catalyst for meaningful change in the mission to end cervical cancer. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to training and amplifying the voices of patients and survivors, ensuring that their unique perspectives shape the narrative and inform decision-making. By centering the patient perspective – both individually and collectively – we’re creating a powerful community voice that demands attention, sparks action, and drives progress. 

Through our advocacy efforts, we’re not just reacting to the status quo; we’re actively creating the change we want to see – a world where cervical cancer is detected early, treated with dignity and compassion, and prevented. By elevating the patient voice, we’re rewriting the story of cervical cancer and paving the way for a brighter future for generations to come.

As July, our self-proclaimed Patient Advocacy Month comes to a close, we are proud of our progress in amplifying the voices of cervical cancer patients and survivors. Our small team of dedicated cervical cancer survivors and vast global community of passionate volunteers has worked tirelessly to raise awareness, educate, and advocate for policy changes that benefit our community.

But our work continues. 

We want to emphasize that every story matters in our mission to end cervical cancer. We know that each person’s experience with cervical cancer is unique, and we’re committed to providing a safe space for sharing those stories. Our support programming empowers survivors and patients to take control of their health, connect with others who understand their journey, and find resources and information to navigate the complex healthcare system. 

What We Offer

  • Online Support Groups: A safe space to connect with others who share similar experiences.
  • Mentorship: Pairing patients with trained survivors who can offer guidance and support.
  • Educational Resources: Accurate and reliable information on cervical cancer diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.
  • Community Events: Opportunities to connect in person and build a supportive community.

As we launch into highlighting our support programming, we invite you to join us. Share your story, connect with others, find the support you need, and be a crucial part of the community. Together, we can create a world where no one feels alone in their journey and cervical cancer will be a thing of the past.

Get Involved

  • Follow Us: On social media to stay up-to-date on our support programming and community events.
  • Share: Your story and inspire others to do the same.
  • Sign Up: Are you a provider or community support person? Become a Partner in Purpose.
  • Donate: Support our mission and help us continue to provide vital resources and support to our community

We’re reminded that the journey to healing and wholeness is not a solitary one. Creating connections with others who understand our struggles is the foundation upon which we build resilience. Access to trusted resources empowers us to take control of our health and well-being. And it’s the undeniable sense of community – the feeling of being seen, heard, and supported – that accelerates our healing. 

At Cervivor, Inc., we believe that these elements are the pillars of a supportive ecosystem that cultivates hope, facilitates growth, and transforms patients and survivors into thrivers. Join us in cultivating this community, and we’ll rise stronger, more united, and more determined than ever to overcome the challenges of cervical cancer.