Cervivor’s Tell 20, Give 20 Campaign Exceeds $20K Goal – But the Work Isn’t Done Yet!

Grab the confetti, sound the air horn, and get ready for a balloon drop—we did it, everyone!

Cervivor’s Tell 20, Give 20 awareness and fundraising campaign has officially surpassed its goal, raising an impressive $21,022—and it’s all thanks to the incredible support of our community (that would be you!).


Launched in January during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month—and to mark Cervivor’s 20th anniversary—the campaign’s original goal was to raise $20,000 by the end of the year. Called “TG20” for short, it was designed to encourage people to “tell 20” of their contacts about Cervivor’s mission to end cervical cancer and ask them to “give 20” dollars to support this important cause.

Reaching our fundraising milestone ahead of schedule was made possible by nearly 30 individual fundraisers, six dedicated teams, and hundreds of generous donors—all working together to spread the word and rally support.

TG20 was rolled out at the 2025 Cervical Cancer Summit, inspiring attendees to raise awareness and donations to support Cervivor’s mission.

Tamika Felder, Cervivor’s Founder and Chief Visionary, expressed her gratitude for both the financial support and the power of community in amplifying the organization’s efforts:

“This is what happens when we work together, not just our community of people who’ve been impacted by cervical cancer directly, but our fellow partners in purpose—organizations, researchers, doctors, clinicians, and others—who all come together to support us so that we can continue to do this work. They understand the vital need for patient voices.”  

What TG20 Fundraisers are Saying

The awareness and fundraising campaign has already had a transformative impact—but don’t just take our word for it! Hear from these Cervivor community members about their experiences.

Kellie DeFelice

Thanks to its connection with Massachusetts Cervivor Kellie Defelice, South Boston Catholic Academy became a top donor. Kellie shared how her school rallied behind the cause:

“I’m so proud of my students! We held a day where students could be out of uniform for Teal and White Tuesday in exchange for a donation. They raised $1,600, and my principal added another $195, bringing the total to $1,795 for Cervivor! But it wasn’t just about the money—our students, teachers, and families all learned about cervical cancer and Cervivor’s mission. My principal even shared a thank-you email from Cervivor with our school, and there will be an article in the South Boston Newspaper featuring our efforts.”

Yvette Torres

New York Cervivor Yvette Torres shared how her husband was so inspired by the campaign that he jumped in and fundraised next to her, spreading awareness about Cervivor’s mission to coworkers, friends, and family:

“My journey as a Cervivor Ambassador isn’t just about awareness—it’s about the love and support that fuels my every step. Seeing my husband, my rock and caregiver, join me in these advocacy efforts has been the greatest reward. Together, we’re proving that advocacy is a team effort, and with love and unity, we can make a difference.”

Motivated by reaching the fundraising goal so early, Washington Cervivor Ambassador Anna Ogo said simply:

“What’s our next goal?”

The answer:

Raise another $20,000 to continue our mission to end this preventable disease—and ensure no one faces cervical cancer alone!

Why TG20 Support Matters So Much

From Team Cervivor, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to bringing cervical cancer awareness to the forefront. But we can’t stop now! Your continued support is essential in ensuring that we provide critical education, advocacy, and support services to those affected by cervical and HPV-related cancers.

Why is Cervivor’s voice so crucial right now?

  • Cervical cancer doesn’t stop for pandemics, political shifts, or economic uncertainty. Our mission to educate and advocate for those affected remains as urgent as ever.
  • Our community depends on us for accurate information, resources, and support during these changing times.
  • Every dollar raised gets us closer to our goal of eliminating cervical cancer and HPV-related diseases.


Join the TG20 Campaign!

Ready to help keep the momentum going? If you haven’t started your Tell 20, Give 20 fundraising page yet, here’s how:

  1. Go to the fundraising page to set up your personal fundraising page or create a team.
  2. Share your story and explain why you’re passionate about Cervivor’s mission (and don’t forget to tag us!).
  3. Reach out to friends and family and ask for their support.

Let’s keep pushing toward our next $20,000 goal! Together, we’ll rise to the challenge and help make cervical cancer a thing of the past. 

Thank you for being such an important part of our mission!

Breaking the Silence: Cervical Cancer Awareness in the Hispanic Community

As Hispanic Heritage Month ends, I find myself reflecting not just on our vibrant culture and history but also on an issue that deeply affects our community—cervical cancer. This preventable disease continues to claim the lives of too many Latinas, both in the United States and across Latin America. As a survivor, advocate, and member of the Cervivor community, this is personal to me, and it’s personal to so many of us.

Cervivor Español members during the 2024 Communities of Color Cervivor Care’s community outreach day

Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through vaccines and regular screenings like Pap tests and HPV tests. Yet, Hispanic women in the U.S. face alarming disparities when it comes to this disease. We are diagnosed with cervical cancer at higher rates than non-Hispanic women and are more likely to die from it. The reasons for these inequities are complex, but they are deeply rooted in unequal access to healthcare, language barriers, lack of information, and cultural stigmas.

The Disparities We Face

Did you know that Hispanic women in the U.S. are 40% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than non-Hispanic white women? And tragically, we are 26% more likely to die from it. This isn’t because the disease is more aggressive in our community—it’s because many of us aren’t getting the preventive care we need. Whether it’s due to lack of insurance, language barriers, or even the stigma surrounding gynecological health, too many Latinas are falling through the cracks.

Gilma Pereda, a fellow Cervivor Ambassador, puts it perfectly: “Cervical cancer affects many Latinxs in the U.S. This illness is pretty much preventable with vaccination and regular screenings. Still, many people don’t have enough information to care for their health properly.” 

Patti Murrillo-Casa, another Cervivor Ambassador, emphasizes the importance of advocacy: “It gives me the opportunity to give a voice to the voiceless, especially those who are underrepresented.” 

This lack of information and access to care is something we must change—not just for ourselves, but for future generations. Our community faces unique challenges, and many of us don’t feel comfortable talking about things like HPV or cervical cancer. But these conversations are crucial if we want to save lives. Our mission is clear: we need to bring education and awareness to every corner of our community, in every language, and through every platform.

The Power of Prevention

What makes this so heartbreaking is that cervical cancer is largely preventable. The HPV vaccine can protect against the virus that causes cervical cancer, and regular Pap tests and HPV tests can catch abnormal cells before they become cancerous. Yet, many women in our community don’t know this. The lack of education and language barriers are major issues that prevent the information from getting out, compounded by the stigma in our community.

Yvette Torres, shares: “I advocate because I’m still here!! After being diagnosed 11 years ago, I want to help end cervical cancer and educate others by sharing my story.” 

Dulcely Tavarez brings a different perspective to this: “I promote cervical cancer prevention to help ensure that other women can maintain their chances of motherhood.” 

This passion and determination reflect the heart of our advocacy. We are survivors, and we share our stories because we don’t want anyone else to feel alone on this journey. For many women, cervical cancer doesn’t just threaten their lives—it can also take away their ability to have children. These words remind us of what’s at stake.

Ending the Stigma

One of the biggest barriers we face in the Hispanic community is the stigma around cervical cancer and HPV. Many of us grew up in households where talking about sexual health was taboo, and for some, the idea of getting an HPV vaccine or a Pap test feels uncomfortable or even shameful. But here’s the truth: HPV is incredibly common, and getting tested or vaccinated isn’t something to be ashamed of—it’s a form of self-care, a way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Karla Chavez

I’ve experienced this firsthand. As a survivor, I’ve seen the way stigma and fear can prevent women from getting the care they need. But I’ve also seen the power of community, of sharing our stories and breaking the silence. That’s why I advocate: because I don’t want my story to repeat itself in others. I don’t want anyone to feel alone.

A Call to Action

So, what can we do? First and foremost, if you have a cervix, make sure you’re getting your regular cervical cancer screenings. These screenings can literally save your life. The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and a powerful tool in preventing cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated.

For healthcare providers, we need you to help break down the barriers that prevent our community from accessing care. Provide information in Spanish, offer culturally sensitive care, and work to make sure that every woman—regardless of her background—feels safe and empowered to take control of her health.

And for everyone else, let’s end the stigma. Talk about cervical cancer. Talk about HPV. Share your story or information with your friends, your family, and your community. The more we normalize these conversations, the more lives we can save.

KARLA CHÁVEZ, a civil engineer and amigurumi enthusiast from Honduras, is a seven-year cervical and thyroid cancer survivor and proud ostomate. As a Cervivor Ambassador and co-lead of the Cervivor Español community, Karla is dedicated to making a difference for women both in her country and globally. She was honored with the 2020 Brittany Wagner Social Media Advocacy Award and was named a Cervivor Champion in 2022. Karla represents Cervivor, Inc. on the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Advisory Panel for Living Recommendations and Systematic Reviews on Screening and Treatment to Prevent Cervical Cancer.