volunteers

Closing the Door on 2023

We are just hours from closing the door on 2023 and jumping into 2024 with a jam-packed Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM)! Can we count on you to join us? But first, let’s check out some of the impact you have helped us achieve in 2023. Please take a moment to read Founder and Chief Visionary, Tamika Felder’s special newsletter and watch the video below.

Beyond this video, the Cervivor Community has…

  • Hosted in-person events like our Cervical Cancer Summit in New York City, kicking off with Founder and Chief Visionary, Tamika Felder, ringing the closing bell at Nasdaq; Hosting the Communities of Color Retreat in Washington, D.C., and we headed to the Pacific Northwest for Cervivor School Seattle where we celebrated 21 new graduates and awarded 5 new Cervivor Champions!
  • The Comfort Care & Compassion Program served over 300 individuals impacted by cervical cancer.
  • Inspired, supported, and empowered hundreds of cervical cancer patients and survivors from around the world to share their stories.
  • The addition of a Cervivor staff member, Kimberly Williams, as the Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, was a position to make it clear on our commitment for health equity and closing the disparity gaps. Cervivor Noir,Cervivor Asian and Pacific Islanders, Cervivor Africa, Cervivor Caribbean, and a group for LGBTQIA+ Survivorswere developed, and the expansion of our private groups to include more safe spaces for necessary conversations and support. 
  • We continued to host many meaningful conversations through our monthly Creating Connections support group held every second Tuesday.
  • Season 3 of the Cervivor Podcast was launched in January with Joslyn Paguio returning as the host. The podcast has now reached listeners in 50 countries! Be sure to follow Cervivor Podcast on your preferred listening platform and check out the last episode of Season 3 featuring Team Cervivor here.
  • Virtual events were elevated by the creation of Below the Belt Conversations, HPV Cancer Survivors Connect to strengthen support beyond cervical cancer so that no one feels alone from any HPV-related cancer, and a virtual Advocacy Retreat for Communities of Color allowing several women from Africa and the Caribbean to join the discussion.
  • Continued with daily motivation, fit tips, and monthly challenges powered by Survivor Slimdown to over 452 cancer survivors in our private Facebook community. A huge thank you to both Hearts Bio and the University of North Carolina Weight Research Program for their continuous partnerships. 
  • In addition to using our voices to participate in various research studies, raising awareness in media interviews, and guiding new legislation, we gained the opportunity to serve as patient advocates for various committees and task forces through the White House’s Cancer Moonshot, President’s Cancer Panel, National HPV Vaccination Roundtable, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Health (NIH), the National Cervical Cancer Roundtable, and the World Health Organization.
  • Founder and Chief Visionary, Tamika Felder, and Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Kimberly Williams were recognized by the American Cancer Society National HPV Vaccination Roundtable for Mentor/Mentee and Lived Experience Ambassador awards.
  • We became a member of the Union for International Cancer Control to further our commitment to our global advocacy work.
  • Hosted an intern from the historic HBCU Claflin University, Summer Edmond, who is majoring in Public Relations and was part of our strategic planning behind the scenes.
  • And we celebrated the #CervivorBaby’s first birthday! (That year went by pretty fast!)

As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2023, we are profoundly grateful for the generosity that has enabled us to make significant strides in achieving our mission – to our monthly donors, our one-time donors, and our incredible fundraising volunteers, we appreciate your support always. We would like to thank our generous sponsors who have helped support us through 2023: Hologic, Seagen, Genentech, Genmab, Roche, St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program, and Regeneron.

And as we transition into 2024, Cervivor, Inc. remains dedicated to its commitment to ending cervical cancer. Our community has been the driving force behind our achievements, and we recognize that none of this would be possible without your ongoing support and generosity. We wish to remind you that there is still time to make a tax-deductible year-end contribution. Your support will contribute to furthering the initiatives that have represented our efforts in 2023. 

We appreciate your consideration and look forward to your continued support as we strive to make a meaningful difference in the mission to end cervical cancer.

With Gratitude,
Tamika Felder, Founder & Chief Visionary
Morgan Newman, MSW, Community Engagement Liaison
Kimberly Williams, MHCM, Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer
Team Cervivor

Behind the Scenes of the Comfort Care & Compassion Program

After navigating a global pandemic in 2020, we knew support was needed now more than ever. The Comfort Care & Compassion Program was developed and implemented as the newest addition in Cervivor’s 2021 programming. The CCC Program provides those impacted by cervical cancer with a little extra something to help carry them through the day.

The program has three components:
1) A choice of cards with a handwritten message from survivors in our community to send a little extra support or to help celebrate exciting milestones.
2) A tote bag to support individuals facing a new or recurrent diagnosis and in active treatment for cervical cancer.
3) A custom Cervivor lapel pin to celebrate benchmark milestones.

The program was developed by a team of cervical cancer survivors who volunteered numerous hours. Get to know them in this behind-the-scenes look at The Comfort Care and Compassion Program.

Meet Emily

Emily Hoffman, a cervical cancer survivor, 2016 Cervivor School graduate, and Cervivor Ambassador located in Iowa is our Comfort Care & Compassion Card Chair. She says, “To me, the CCC Card Program means support so that no one in the Cervivor community feels alone. The greeting cards are a way for us to celebrate the milestones together and uplift each other in difficult times.” 

Emily leaves a personal touch by handwriting, stamping, and drawing on each card.

Emily adds, “I am proud of the success of the CCC Card Program so far. I am also thrilled to know that the cards mean as much to the recipients as they do to me when I write them. The program has already brought us closer as a community, as the cards remind us that we can lean on each other.”

Meet Caroline

Caroline Swenson, a cervical cancer survivor, 2019 Cervivor School graduate, and Cervivor Ambassador located in Wisconsin, serves as the Comfort Care & Compassion Tote Bag Chair. She expresses, “I remember very clearly when I received my cervical cancer diagnosis. I was stunned and though I was surrounded by family and friends, I still felt alone. This is why I love the Comfort, Care, and Compassion Program powered by Cervivor! Being able to reach out on behalf of our community in a way that offers those on their journey a special little nudge, a nurturing gift, that says, “Hey, we are sorry you are going through this. You’ve got this and we are here to support you.” fills my cup.”

Meet Karen

Karen North, a cervical cancer survivor, 2019 Cervivor School graduate, and Cervivor Ambassador located in Missouri, serves as a community admin. She spends a lot of time getting to know each and every one of our community members and Karen helps with referring members to receive something special from the CCC Program. Karen says, “Being an RN, I am passionate about knowing you are cared for. The Comfort Care & Compassion Program gives me the opportunity to give all 3 aspects of comfort, care, and compassion to those that might be feeling lost, alone, stressed, you name it. I enjoy seeing how our CCC program personally impacts our community.”

Get Involved

We have some truly incredible community partners that have volunteered to write and decorate cards for our community. Emily talks about what it felt like opening the box of cards, “When I first saw the greeting cards, I was blown away by the thoughtfulness put into them. The cards were beautiful. Each one contained an encouraging message that was handwritten in bright colors. I unexpectedly started to tear up as I read through them! I was so moved by the support of complete strangers for our community. Even though they weren’t addressed to me, I felt like their encouraging words were meant for me. I felt loved and uplifted. So I’m excited to send these cards to our community over the coming months so that we all can feel the love and support they bring.” 

Everybody has their own story and own diagnosis but there is a community of cervical cancer patients, survivors, and thrivers who are here to support you in any way they can because they “get it.”

If you are interested in supporting this program please consider donating to Cervivor today. Volunteers may contact us for card or bag donations at [email protected]. And if you wish to give or receive a gift of comfort, click on the link here.