North Carolina

Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Inspiring Stories from Cervical Cancer Survivors

For many cervical cancer survivors, healing goes beyond remission, often leading to advocacy that raises awareness and offers strength. Here, Cervivor community members and cervical cancer advocates Christy Basa Chambers, Athena Porter, and Lorie Wallace share personal reflections on how their journey with cervical cancer has helped them thrive — not just survive.

If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, read on!

Christy’s Story: Living Her ‘Dash’

About Christy: An 18-month Stage IV cervical cancer survivor, Christy Basa Chambers lives in Monroe, NC, with her family. She’s a Cervivor Ambassador, 2023 Cervivor School graduate, and winner of the 2024 Brittany Wagner Social Media Advocacy Award.

This image shows cervical cancer survivor, Christy, who is from North Carolina. She has teal hair and glasses with a ruffled white shirt.
Christy Basa Chambers (photo by Molly Dockery Photography)

“I was given a second chance at living.”

When I first wrote that phrase in a blog post, I paused. Was it “a second chance at life,” or did I really mean living? Are they different? I think they are. Life is the span of time we are given, but living is what we do with that time.

The distinction became clear after my diagnosis of Stage IV metastatic cervical cancer. Facing my mortality forced me to ask hard questions: How would I be remembered? What legacy would I leave? These questions didn’t just make me reflect on my past; they became a wake-up call to reevaluate my present. Survival wasn’t enough for me — I wanted to thrive.

But thriving didn’t happen overnight. It was a choice I made every day, even when it felt impossible. I had to face my fears and let go of what didn’t serve me.

Now, I’m living my “dash.” What’s a dash? It’s that little line between the dates of our birth and death. It’s small, yet so powerful, because it represents everything we do while we’re here. Cancer taught me to live my dash with intention — to focus on love, kindness, generosity, and joy.

Advocacy has been one of the most transformative ways I’ve chosen to live my dash. As a Cervivor Ambassador, I’ve found healing through helping others. Sharing my story and empowering others to share theirs has given me a sense of purpose and a way to leave an impact.

Who am I? A Cervivor, a thriver, and an opti-mystic who sees the world through the eyes of possibility. That’s the legacy I want to leave.

Athena’s Story: Overcoming Survivor’s Guilt

About Athena: Athena Porter was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2023. She lives in Iowa with her husband and two little girls. Since her diagnosis, Athena has served on a panel at the 2024 Cervical Cancer Summit and continues to advocate for cervical cancer awareness and prevention.

Athena Porter

To call myself a “cervical cancer survivor” used to feel like a fraud. My cancer was caught early, and my treatment was a radical hysterectomy. Diagnosed after having two children, I was spared the devastation of infertility and the physical toll of chemo, radiation, or brachytherapy. I got to keep my hair.

In contrast, many of the women in the Cervivor community I’ve been blessed to meet since my diagnosis have endured grueling treatments. They’ve shaved their heads, relocated for care, lost their fertility, and dealt with the lingering effects of treatment-induced trauma. Despite facing anxiety, depression, pain, and significant physical challenges, they continue to persevere and advocate for those without a voice. I am honored to know these women. Their strength, passion, and unwavering light inspire me.

Still, survivor’s guilt is real. My experience feels minimal in comparison because I “only” needed surgery to remove my cancer. Thankfully, the incredible women I admire have reminded me that it wasn’t “just” surgery or “just” stage 1A cancer. They’ve encouraged and supported me, helping me embrace my journey as valid. Their support has been instrumental in helping me thrive, not just survive.

I’ve been given a platform to advocate not only for those impacted by cervical cancer but also for its prevention. My hysterectomy was radical and represented the best-case treatment scenario for me, but the true best-case scenario is no cancer at all. Supporting the HPV vaccine, promoting early screenings, and advocating for proper treatment is the least I can do for all the women battling cervical cancer.

Lorie’s Story: Never Giving Up

About Lorie: Lorie Wallace, a Detroit resident, was diagnosed with invasive cervical adenocarcinoma in 2017. She underwent surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and later developed radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy (RILP), a debilitating condition with no cure. Today, as a Cervivor Ambassador and 2022 Cervivor Champion, she inspires others with her resilience.

This image shows Lorie, a cervical cancer survivor from Michigan wearing a black "Making Cancer Pay" t-shirt. She has blonde hair, blue eyes, and brownish pink lipstick.
Lorie Wallace during Cervivor School 2022

Sometimes, I wait until I’m alone to scream at the injustice of it all. But I refuse to let cervical cancer or my radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy (RILP) define me.  

I’ve learned that while I can’t control everything, everything cannot control me. I’ve found ways to adapt and thrive, not just survive. I’ve focused on strengthening the muscles not affected by plexopathy, embraced the support of my cane, and let go of the stigma I once felt about using a disabled parking pass. Learning to give myself grace and to see these tools not as symbols of weakness but of perseverance has been a profound part of my journey.

Through advocacy, I’ve reclaimed my purpose. As a Cervivor Ambassador, a cancer support coach, and a mentor with organizations like Imerman Angels, I use my voice to help others navigate life after cancer. This work has been as healing for me as it has been impactful for others. I’ve discovered that purpose can emerge even from the darkest times.

For me, advocacy is more than action — it’s a declaration: I am still here, I am still fighting, and I will never give up.

Interested in Patient Advocacy?

Christy, Athena, and Lorie’s stories show that surviving cancer is only the beginning. By turning their experiences into cervical cancer patient advocacy, they’ve found healing, hope, and a way to thrive. You can make a difference too! 

Here’s how you can get involved with Cervivor advocacy:

  • Attend Cervivor School: Gain training to become a leader in cervical cancer advocacy. Sign up to receive the latest updates!
  • Support Through Donations: Help fund programs that empower survivors.
  • Raise Awareness: Promote cervical cancer prevention and survivorship.

Together, we can thrive, not just survive — and make a difference! 

The Ladies in the White Shirts

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.