Native American

Empowering Communities of Color: A Recap of the Fall Virtual Advocacy Retreat

The Fall Virtual Cervical Cancer Patient Advocacy Retreat for Communities of Color, held on October 28th, was an inspiring and informative event that brought together cervical cancer survivors and speakers dedicated to closing the gap in cervical cancer disparities. The retreat aimed to provide a platform for empowering and educating communities of color across the globe to become advocates in the mission to end cervical cancer. With a dynamic lineup of speakers, engaging and impactful conversations, and a clear advocacy action list, the retreat left attendees feeling empowered and equipped to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

The retreat’s success was undoubtedly due to the incredible speakers who graced the virtual stage. Each speaker brought unique insights and experiences to the table, making the event an unforgettable experience for all who attended:

  • Kimberly Williams, Cervivor’s Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer gave the opening remarks, shared how her personal journey has progressed over the last several years, and discussed the unwavering commitment Cervivor, Inc. has to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the mission to end cervical cancer.
  • Tamika Felder, Founder and Chief Visionary of Cervivor, Inc. inspired attendees to define their ‘why’ while sharing her personal experience of building what she didn’t have, the vision turned into a reality with the creation of the Cervivor, Inc. organization of nearly 19 years ago.
  • Nancy Peña, ONP-CG, CMI, BS, Director and Founder of Navegación de Pacientes Internacional, Inc. (NPI), was our morning keynote to share the important work to end cancer disparities by identifying and providing cancer patients support resources throughout the continuum of their care.
  • A Cervivor-filled panel moderated by Tiera Wade included the voices of Joslyn Paguio, Kadiana Vegee, and Karla Chavez to show their journeys from cervical cancer survivors to Cervivors.
  • Chicago-based duo, Dr. Nita Karnik Lee and Dr. Paris Thomas teamed up to share the importance or representation in clinical trials, how to access the opportunities available, and advocate for others to seek the care they deserve.
  • Dr. Jennifer Cunningham Erves, PhD, MPH, MAEd, MS, CHES, Director of Community Engaged Research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center shared what attendees needed to know about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the importance of cancer prevention through vaccination.
  • Dr. Jane Montealegre, Baylor College of Medicine, was the closing keynote to address the unique opportunities and challenges we face in eliminating cervical cancer.

Throughout the retreat, attendees from across the globe engaged in meaningful conversations and breakout discussions that shed light on various aspects of cervical cancer and advocacy. Several survivors logged in from islands in the Caribbean and a large group of survivors gathered together in Milicent Kagonga’s home, a Cervivor Africa Ambassador, to learn more about patient advocacy. 

But the retreat didn’t just stop at discussions; it moved the speakers and empowered attendees with a clear action list to ensure that the knowledge gained translated into impactful change:

  • Advocate for Improved Access to Healthcare: Support initiatives to increase access to cervical cancer screenings and vaccinations within communities of color.
    • Attendees expressed the importance of holding workshops to share screening and vaccination information not only for the public but to bridge the gap between patients and providers.
  • Education and Awareness Campaigns: Join Cervivor, inc. and participate in community-driven awareness campaigns to educate individuals on the importance of cervical cancer prevention, early detection, and self-advocacy.
    • Attendees expressed the need to bring men into the discussion as cervical cancer impacts the entire family structure and the very virus that causes 5 more cancers.
  • Community Engagement: Strengthen partnerships within their communities and collaborate with local organizations to promote cervical cancer awareness and advocate for accessible healthcare services.
    • Community outreach days with mobile screening and vaccination clinics are necessary to communities who do not have regular access.

In closing, the Fall Cervical Cancer virtual retreat has been a powerful journey of connection, support, and empowerment. As we reflect on the stories, insights, and shared strength of our attendees, we are reminded of the urgency to end cervical cancer once and for all. Together, we can make a difference. Whether you’re a cervical cancer patient, survivor, caregiver, or an ally in this fight, your voice and your actions matter. Join us in raising awareness, advocating for regular screenings and vaccinations, and supporting research for better treatments. Let’s unite to ensure that one day, cervical cancer is a thing of the past. Together, we can make this vision a reality. Join us in our mission by visiting cervivor.org, and together, we can help end cervical cancer.

Lastly, Cervivor, Inc. would like to thank our generous sponsors for supporting our mission of educating and empowering individuals impacted by cervical cancer to take action and create change in their local communities and beyond. Thank you to Seagen, Genmab, Roche Diagnostics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital HPV Cancer Prevention Program, and Genentech.

Being A Warrior Is In My Blood

My name Kristine Bahe-Sprigler. I am half Native American and half Caucasian. When I was diagnosed with cervical cancer I had to lean on my heritage for my source of strength. It was a great reminder of the those that came before me and what it meant to have their blood run through mine.

I am from the “Zuni” Clan which is my father’s mother’s clan and “The Water Flow Together” Clan is my paternal grandfather’s clan. This is what defines me as Navajo and is determined from matrilineality.

Navajo women are the matriarch and we (all Navajo’s) introduce ourselves by clan which identifies and defines relationships between individuals and families. When you meet someone with one or more of your same clan, you become related by clan. You can also tell a region by someone’s clan.

The Navajo Nation occupies portions of Southeastern Utah, Northeastern Arizona, and Northwestern New Mexico – the capital being Window Rock, AZ.

You can find hogans on the reservation, which are primarily built from logs and mud. The door always faces East to welcome the sun each morning for wealth and good fortune. Some are used for dwellings, but others are used for ceremonial purposes and regarded as sacred.

My grandfather, Roy Begay, was part of the original 29 U.S. Marines that were recruited and served as a Navajo Code Talker in World War II. He proudly served his country and is a recipient of Congressional Medal of Honor.

My mother is of Irish, English and German heritage. She comes from a very creative line. My grandfather was a musician and played in the U.S. Army band traveling around the bases and performing. He came from a very musical family. I learned to love music by watching my grandfather play while growing up. I chose to play alto sax and piano starting in the fifth grade and played in Jazz and marching bands. My grandmother was a professional dancer traveling between New York and Cuba performing with a partner until she chose to stop dancing to start a family.

My great-great grandfather on my mothers side, George Washington Taggart, was part of the journey of the Mormon Battalion, which was comprised of about 500 Latter-Day Saints that joined the U.S. Army during the Mexican American war, which made several contributions to the settlement of the American West.

I believe my strength comes from both sides of my family. We come from a long line of warriors. I was diagnosed with stage I cervical cancer in 2012 when I was 34 years old to which I received a radical hysterectomy. The decisions leading to that were difficult and heart wrenching as I wasn’t sure our family was complete. I suffered from anxiety and depression for a few years after. Being diagnosed with cancer is difficult – it teaches you humility and vulnerability all the while showing you what strength you possess even years later.

November is Native American Heritage Month, a month dedicated to paying tribute to the ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the disparities American Indian and Alaska Native women are facing with cervical cancer. According to the American Indian Cancer Foundation, American Indian and Alaska Native women are nearly twice as likely to develop cervical cancer compared to white women and four times as likely to die from it.

Those are statistics I would like to help change. Cervical cancer is preventable. I share my story to remind you to be proactive with your health. Make those uncomfortable gynecologist/prevention visits and ask about the HPV vaccination for your child(ren).

At the age of 34, Kristine was diagnosed with stage I squamous cell carcinoma. She has found healing and purpose in sharing her story and in advocacy. After her dark and lonely experience with cancer, her goal was and continues to be to empower others to be shame resilient. She became a Cervivor Ambassador after attending Cervivor School in 2016 and she is currently in her 9th year of survivorship with no evidence of disease.