What Happens After Survival? The Hidden Toll of Infertility After Cervical Cancer

According to a National Health Statistics Report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 13.4% of women of reproductive age (15-49) in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. For cervical cancer patients and survivors, the risk of infertility is significantly higher due to treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Studies suggest that approximately 80% of cervical cancer patients and survivors are interested in parenthood, and up to 38% of them may experience infertility or difficulty conceiving after treatment.

That’s why, during Infertility Awareness Week (April 20 to 26), Cervivor is amplifying this critical conversation—talking openly about the often overlooked emotional and physical toll of infertility after cervical cancer.

The Silent Struggle of Infertility After Cervical Cancer

Infertility after cervical cancer is a harsh reality many survivors face, often in silence. The loss of fertility can be a profound grief that lingers long after treatment has ended, affecting relationships, sense of identity, and future plans in unimaginable ways. Feelings of isolation and loneliness can be overwhelming, especially for those who’ve already endured the trauma of a cancer diagnosis. Here, two members of the Cervivor community open up about the different ways infertility after cervical cancer has shaped their lives.

Heidi’s Story

Heidi Burgard’s journey with cervical cancer began when she was 29. In a long-term relationship and hoping to start a family, her diagnosis upended her plans and forced her to confront a double loss: her fertility and, eventually, her relationship.

Heidi Burgard

“Losing the ability to have children and experiencing the loss of relationships along the way was incredibly difficult,” says Heidi, who is from Northern Colorado. While fertility preservation was discussed at the time of her diagnosis, she chose to prioritize her health and begin treatment immediately. “I still reflect on that decision,” she shares. “And after experiencing three recurrences, I believe—though it was incredibly difficult—it was the right one for me.”

The emotional toll extended beyond her health. After her first recurrence, Heidi’s partner ended their relationship, telling her it was “too much” to handle. “It was heartbreaking and eye-opening—one of those moments that shows you not everyone is built to stand beside you when life gets hard. That chapter closed, but it helped shape who I am today,” says Heidi, who has worked in banking for the last 17 years.

Today, Heidi is passionate about helping others feel seen and heard. She finds strength in storytelling, advocacy, and shared experiences. “Survivorship is about both healing and rediscovery,” she says, crediting the Cervivor community for helping her recovery. “I’m grateful to be part of a community that embraces the full complexity of that journey.”

Cindy’s Story

At 35, Cindy Trice received a life-altering diagnosis: Stage II cervical cancer. This was in 2004, and she had just graduated from veterinary school and was three months into an internship in Tampa, Florida. While survival became her focus, the loss of fertility was a lasting consequence.

Cindy Trice

“I’m not even sure I wanted children… but over the years, the loss of the ability to have children has haunted me,” she shares. Her candid reflection captures the complex and often conflicting emotions that many cancer survivors face—grief not only for what was lost, but also for what might have been.

Now a 25-year survivor, Cindy has transformed adversity into advocacy. Her experience inspired her to co-found KickIt Pajamas, a company focused on creating stylish, dignified hospital and recovery wear for women—the kind she and other Cervivors longed for during treatment. What began as a personal need has evolved into a mission to uplift and support others facing similar challenges.

Through KickIt Pajamas and her ongoing involvement with Cervivor, Cindy helps others find strength in their own stories. Her journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the healing power of shared experience.

How Cervivor Can Help

At Cervivor, we understand that survivorship is more than just making it through treatment. It’s about navigating the emotional aftermath, redefining your future, and finding hope again, like both Heidi and Cindy shared. Our community offers a safe space to process grief, share stories, and connect with others who truly understand.

Additionally, financial assistance is available for those pursuing parenthood, helping to ease the burdens of this often unpredictable journey. Read on about a special gift fund and keep reading for our latest list of trusted fertility resources and partners. 

The Virginia “Ginny” Marable Cervivor Baby Gift Fund: A Lifeline for Survivors

During an online seminar Cervivor hosted in April 2020, Cervivor Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder met Ginny Marable, a fellow cervical cancer survivor and 36-year-old human resources director. As Tamika spoke about having to “bury” her hope of having children, Ginny was struck. “I was very moved by Tamika’s story,” she says. “She wasn’t really given the choice to preserve her fertility.”

Ginny, who married her husband Sean in November 2018, was thrilled when doctors thawed one of their frozen embryos. The embryo split, and their gestational carrier gave birth to identical twins in March 2021. With their family now complete, Ginny and Sean were left with four remaining embryos—and a big decision. It didn’t take long for Ginny to know what she wanted to do: she offered the embryos to her friend. 

Out of that generosity and connection, The Virginia “Ginny” Marable Cervivor Baby Gift Fund was born. This fund offers tangible support for cervical cancer survivors navigating fertility services and family-building options. 

Dulcely Tavarez, the first recipient of the Cervivor Baby Gift Fund, shares: “This grant has been such a meaningful part of my journey to parenthood. It’s not only helping to ease the financial burden of adoption, but it’s also a powerful reminder that I’m not alone. Knowing there’s a community standing beside me, cheering me on, gives me so much strength and hope.”

Dulcely Tavarez

Pathway to Parenthood: Helpful Resources

Access to the right resources can make all the difference. Cervivor’s Pathway to Parenthood Helpful Resources offers a comprehensive list of organizations, support groups, and services that support fertility preservation, family-building, emotional care, and financial assistance—providing a vital lifeline for survivors looking to start or grow their families. 

Whether you’re exploring adoption, surrogacy, or fertility treatments, these resources can provide valuable guidance, support, and hope as you navigate your path to parenthood.

How You Can Help

For many survivors, the journey doesn’t end with remission. Cancer treatments can leave lasting scars, including the pain of infertility. By acknowledging this often-overlooked struggle, we can build a more compassionate community that supports survivors in every part of their healing.

Here are some meaningful ways you can make a difference—within the Cervivor community and beyond:

  • Raise awareness about how cervical cancer treatments impact fertility
  • Share stories like Heidi’s and Cindy’s from the Cervivor website
  • Share your own story about infertility and cervical cancer
  • Advocate for fertility preservation and post-treatment support
  • Offer survivors a listening ear and a safe space to share
  • Donate to the Virginia “Ginny” Marable Cervivor Baby Gift Fund to help someone take one step closer to the family they’ve dreamed of

Infertility Awareness Week reminds us that the path to parenthood may look different for cervical cancer survivors—but different doesn’t mean impossible. Through shared stories, community support, and advocacy, we can bring hope and healing to those navigating this difficult road. Together, we can turn empathy into action. Every shared story, every act of support, and every donation brings us closer to a world where no one has to walk this journey alone.

Cervical Cancer in Rural America: The Roots of the Problem and Seeds of Hope

Based on the latest U.S. Census, roughly 20% of Americans—about 62.8 million people—live in rural areas, from the Deep South to Midwestern farmlands to border towns out West. While rural life offers perks like a lower cost of living, less congestion, and star-filled skies, these benefits often come with limited healthcare options and other barriers to access.

And when it comes to cancer—cervical cancer, in particular—the trade-offs can mean life or death. 

Although cancer death rates have declined nationwide, they remain higher and have decreased more slowly in rural areas compared to urban ones, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cervical cancer death rates are especially high in some rural regions. In places like Appalachian Kentucky, they are nearly double the national average. A major reason? Women in these areas are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages, when the disease is harder to treat.

Behind these statistics are real women and families—with excessive wait times to see nearby doctors, lower human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates, and healthcare often clouded by stigma or medical bias. For National Public Health Week (April 6–12)—a time to advocate for health equity for all Americans—Cervivor, Inc. is digging into the complex challenge of reducing cervical cancer deaths in rural communities across the country. 

These survivors’ stories underscore the urgency of addressing rural health disparities and the personal nature of this preventable disease—stories like Julianna’s.

Julianna’s Story

Julianna Ferrone

Six months before her 2020 cervical cancer diagnosis, Julianna Ferrone began experiencing symptoms such as bloating, bleeding, prolonged periods, and back pain. Living in Auburn, Alabama—a small college town with just one hospital and 300 doctors serving 11 counties—the 27-year-old had limited healthcare options and felt like she wasn’t being “taken seriously.” Making matters worse, many gynecologists in the area weren’t accepting new patients due to the pandemic. Her symptoms continued to worsen.

“After realizing I was not going to get the medical attention I needed locally due to limited resources, I found a doctor at the Georgia Cancer Center, over 100 miles away,” shares Julianna, who wrote a lengthy letter explaining her symptoms, concerns, and lack of access to care. The Georgia doctor saw her within two weeks.

During that first visit, the doctor gave Julianna a physical exam, noted her symptoms, and did an overdue cervical cancer screening. When the results came back abnormal, they developed a treatment plan that included four rounds of Cisplatin chemotherapy (to kill or slow cancer cells), 25 pelvic radiation treatments (to target cancer cells in the area), and two rounds of brachytherapy (internal radiation placed near the tumor). Before treatments could begin, however, Julianna required multiple surgeries.

Julianna’s “big belly photo,” before undergoing several surgeries to remove cancerous and scar tissue.

“The big belly photo was taken the day before my exploratory surgery when doctors removed my appendix because the cancer had spread there as well as endometriosis scar tissue,” says Julianna of this image of her bloated stomach. That same day, she underwent a colposcopy to examine her cervix for cancer, which returned abnormal results as well. Days later, she endured a four-hour hysterectomy that included the removal of multiple lymph nodes. On top of these grueling procedures and treatments, she spent countless hours commuting to Georgia from Alabama with her mother.

She has since experienced a recurrence and relocated to the Atlanta suburbs for better access to ongoing care. “Even living an hour outside Atlanta, there’s still a huge health disparity,” Julianna observes. “But I’m grateful to have surveillance appointments every three months at the cancer center.”

Today, the 2023 Cervivor School graduate advocates for awareness and prevention, lobbying state legislators, participating in American Cancer Society panels, and securing a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in Georgia—a feat she was “ecstatic” about.  

“This cancer is preventable—and we need to start talking about it,” she says, emphasizing that thousands of lives in Georgia could be saved through awareness. “There is such a stigma surrounding HPV and cervical cancer, especially in the South.” 

Julianna at Cervivor School Seattle in 2023, where her passion for patient advocacy was ignited, leading to lobbying efforts in Georgia.

Breaking Barriers to Care: Stigma and Bias

Since 1991, the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) has provided free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests to over 5.6 million women, detecting more than 57,000 breast cancer cases and 12,000 cervical cancer cases. Operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, the program collaborates with local health organizations to offer these life-saving services. Its goal? Reaching women at risk of delayed or skipped screenings.

Despite the public health program’s success, stigma remains—especially in some rural and conservative communities—where visiting a free clinic can lead to assumptions about a person’s financial or sexual health status.

During a panel on HPV vaccination at the 2025 Cervical Cancer Summit, Dr. Deanna Kepka shared her experience working on successful public health initiatives in Utah.

Dr. Deanna Kepka, PhD, MPH, a researcher at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, works closely with rural and religious communities in Utah, including members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Speaking at Cervivor’s 2025 Cervical Cancer Summit, she described how stigma around sexual health often delays screenings and deters HPV vaccination.

She recalled working with Mandy Murray, a woman from a conservative LDS background who developed cervical cancer after experiencing sexual abuse. Although Mandy initially kept her diagnosis private, she eventually shared her story in 2018 through a book and on the Cervivor Blog, helping to raise awareness about cervical cancer screening and early detection as well as to show the power of breaking shame-induced silence.

Claudia Pérez-Favela

Cervivor community member Claudia Pérez-Favela, who lives in California’s agricultural Imperial Valley, knows that stigma and bias can also exist within the medical system itself. Diagnosed with pre-cervical dysplasia caused by HPV in April 2018, she waited months to see a gynecologist while experiencing irregular periods and heavy bleeding. With a family history of ovarian cancer, Claudia chose to undergo a radical hysterectomy, including the removal of her ovaries. She was declared NED (No Evidence of Disease) just one month later.

But for Claudia, the hardest part wasn’t the wait—it was the care she received after her diagnosis. “From the moment I was diagnosed, I was met with judgment and misinformation,” she recalls. She was told her husband must have been unfaithful and faced other outdated assumptions. “The physician assistant didn’t explain my condition professionally—she let her personal bias take over because my cancer was HPV-related. Everything I now know about cervical cancer, I learned thanks to Cervivor.”

Living in a rural area made it difficult to find an alternate provider. She says, “When options are limited, you’re stuck with whoever is available—even if they’re overworked, unprofessional, or biased.” Today, Claudia often crosses the border into Mexico for more accessible, respectful care. “I can see a specialist there within a week.”

Turning the Tide on HPV Vaccination 

Research confirms that the HPV vaccine saves lives. In countries like Australia and Rwanda—where vaccination rates exceed 85% and 90%, respectively—cervical cancer is on the path to elimination.

The U.S. has a long way to go. In 2019, the CDC highlighted the “urgent need” to increase the national HPV vaccination rate to 80%, reporting that the vaccine could prevent up to 92% of HPV-related cancers, which still account for nearly 50,000 new cases annually, including about 12,000 cervical cancer cases. However, as of 2022, only 38.6% of children ages 9 to 17 in the U.S. had received at least one dose, according to a National Health Interview Survey. (Two doses of the vaccine are recommended for this age group, and three for those 18 and older.)

The same year, data showed disparities in HPV vaccination rates based on where kids lived: 40% of children in large metropolitan areas had received at least one dose, compared to just 30% in nonmetropolitan areas. Additionally, a 2025 study on overall childhood vaccination trends found that rural areas not only lag behind in vaccination rates but are also seeing slower increases compared to urban regions.

April 7 to 11 is Adolescent Immunization Action Week (AIAW25), a great reminder for all families to stay on TASK with vaccines: Trust reliable sources (like Cervivor!), Ask questions, Schedule vaccines, and Know where to get vaccinated.

Despite ongoing challenges for vaccine advocates—and recent headlines about deadly measles outbreaks among unvaccinated children in rural Texas—there have also been notable successes.

In Utah, Dr. Kepka recounts how partnerships between the state health department and local providers have transformed HPV vaccination rates. “When I started working in Utah, we were always ranked 45th, 46th, or 47th in vaccination rates, and it was difficult to get healthcare team members on board,” she recalls. 

Today, Utah leads the country, thanks largely to its vaccine registry, which identifies children eligible for vaccination as early as age 9. This proactive approach allows families to protect their children before puberty and becoming sexually active, making the vaccine an “easier pill to swallow” for LDS and other conservative families, Dr. Kepka explains.

Bringing Care Closer to Home

Morgan Newman, MSW

Beyond these barriers, one of the greatest challenges facing rural Americans in accessing care is often, quite literally, the distance to healthcare services, as survivor Julianna experienced.

Cervivor’s Community Engagement Liaison, Morgan Newman, who grew up in Greenfield, an Iowa town of 2,000, has experienced these disparities firsthand. “Specialists, including gynecologic oncologists, are limited, and patients face obstacles like transportation, lodging, time off work, and finances,” says Morgan, whose advocacy is rooted in her own cervical cancer diagnosis at age 24. “Iowa currently ranks second in overall cancer incidence, just behind Kentucky,” she says, citing both lifestyle and environmental factors such as high levels of radon. “It’s scary.”

Now working on the front lines of public health with Iowa experts, Morgan travels across the state to attend events ranging from school nurse conferences to HPV vaccination initiatives. She also serves on the Iowa Cancer Consortium Board of Directors and is committed to improving healthcare access, cervical cancer awareness, immunization education, and cancer policy.

Morgan, Iowa State Lead Ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), advocates for better healthcare access for all Iowans—including a recent day of educating state officials. Afterward, she helped host a virtual support group for the Cervivor community.

Several promising solutions have been proposed to close the cervical cancer care gap in rural communities—and bring life-saving health services closer to home—though challenges remain in scaling these efforts:

  • Expand Screening Options: New self-collection HPV tests offer a discreet and convenient way to get screened, helping to reduce barriers such as transportation and long appointment wait times. However, widespread adoption will require targeted education for patients, providers, and communities, particularly in rural areas.
  • Increase Vaccine Access Points: Mobile vaccine clinics have proven successful when set up in accessible locations, such as Walmart parking lots on payday in Appalachian Kentucky. Utilizing pharmacies, school-based programs, dental offices, and providers through the CDC’s Vaccines for Children Program can bring vaccines closer to where families live, work, and shop.
  • Leverage Telehealth: Follow-up care via telehealth allows patients to consult with providers without traveling long distances. While access to high-speed internet remains a challenge in some rural areas, many patients can still connect via cell phones, satellite service, or computers at local libraries.

Seeds of Hope: The Power of Rural Voices

“Storytelling and personal recommendations are key in rural areas,” one public health researcher shared with Cervivor. “Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool for spreading information.”

This is why Cervivor Founder and Chief Visionary, Tamika Felder, launched the organization 20 years ago. “I’ve always believed that sharing your story can change minds—and change the world,” she says. Since then, hundreds of survivors have shared their Cervivor Stories

Reflecting on her experience with medical bias, California-based Cervivor Ambassador Claudia—now an active bilingual advocate in her rural community—believes survivors can educate healthcare providers. “HPV and cervical cancer are rarely discussed, leading to misinformation—even among healthcare workers. This fosters stigma, silence, and leaves women feeling isolated.” She adds, “Survivors can teach healthcare providers how clear, empathetic communication can make all the difference—or how its absence can cause harm.”

For her dedicated advocacy, Claudia received the Cervivor Rising Star Award from founder Tamika at the 2024 Cervivor School in Minneapolis.

Utah-based Dr. Kepka stresses that women’s health is a community issue and needs community-driven solutions. “Don’t give up,” she encourages fellow health workers and advocates. “Keep sharing the facts—this is a ‘cancer-prevention vaccine’ or a ‘new approach for cervical cancer screening’—and be present in the community.”

Cervivor is equally committed to addressing health disparities and misinformation in rural areas through:

  • Educational Outreach: The #Screen4Me campaign promotes life-saving cervical cancer screening and early detection nationwide. Through groups like Cervivor Español and initiatives like Cervivor Cares, we provide vital information to diverse communities using multilingual resources.
  • Resource Support: Cervivor offers critical resources to underserved communities with initiatives like Cervivor Cares Gift Cards (for which you can nominate yourself or someone else or be sponsored) and the Comfort Care & Compassion Program (which can also be requested).  
  • Community Support: Creating Connections is a regular virtual support group that gives cervical cancer patients and survivors a safe, welcoming space to share, heal, and find community—from the comfort of home. Register for the May 2025 gathering. 
  • Credible Information: Through the Cervivor website, podcast, CervivorTV, and social media channels, we share actionable tips and public health guidance to help people stay informed about cervical cancer prevention. 
Claudia (first from left) and other members of Cervivor Español do bilingual outreach around the country and in their local communities.

Ultimately, planting seeds of hope—through individual stories and grassroots efforts—may offer the greatest potential for reducing cervical cancer death rates and ensuring that the next generation of rural Americans is free from HPV-related cancers, like cervical cancer.

Support the Mission!

Cervivor is leading the fight to eliminate cervical cancer here and around the globe. Support our mission through the Tell 20, Give 20 campaign, designed to spread awareness and continue to fund life-saving initiatives. (Read about the campaign’s success thus far and how to get involved.)


Have questions about this blog post or anything related to Cervivor or cervical cancer? Send them our way at [email protected]. Have your own Cervivor Story to share? Fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch!