Dear Friends,
Thank you for taking a few moments to read our quarterly newsletter. As we assemble these, the goal is always to provide you with updates about VAX 2 STOP CANCER, and information that tells the stories of those impacted by these cancers either as patients, health professionals, researchers, or advocates. I've included a link to our 2022 Impact Report, which details your impact on our mission to prevent HPV cancers. We could not have done this work without the cooperation of our partners, the financial contributions of our grantors, sponsors, and donors, or the leadership of our board and advisors. 2022 was an incredible year for us and, as I look forward to the year ahead, I am excited for what is on the horizon.
Oropharyngeal cancer is now the most frequently diagnosed HPV-associated cancer with diagnoses -- just among men -- surpassing diagnoses of cervical cancer. We must act to increase awareness and prevention of this cancer. To that end, we have partnered with the UAB School of Dentistry to provide an online training about HPV, the vaccine, and the importance of provider recommendations for their dental students. I am also thrilled to announce that we are launching a new program focusing on the vital role that dentists and hygienists play in promoting the HPV vaccine. Their strong vaccine recommendation is important not only to prevent the devastating effects of oropharyngeal cancer that they see among their patients, but also the 5 other HPV-associated cancers the vaccine prevents. While we will continue our program to educate pediatricians and family physicians, we will also offer an online training for dental providers.
It is clear that this multi-dimensional approach is necessary to eliminate the nearly 1,000 preventable HPV cancers diagnosed in Alabama each year. The stakes are high. Lives are on the line. Oropharyngeal cancer is diagnosed more often, but our fellow Alabamians are still dying of other HPV cancers at alarming rates. This op-ed written to the Montgomery Advertiser by Stacey Bennison says it all: "In rural west Alabama, Black women are dying of cervical cancer -- one of the most preventable and treatable cancers -- at disproportionate rates. Yet, this shouldn’t be the case." It shouldn't be the case, and we're working to ensure that it won't be much longer. Thank you for joining us in this critical mission.
With Gratitude, Barbara S. Schuler
CEO and Founder |
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Thank you to the following donors for starting off our 2023 fundraising efforts strong! Alabama Power Foundation
Casey Daniel Coty Hulgan
Gail and Deak Rushton
Medical Properties Trust
Stuart Lockwood
Tracie Richter Join them in supporting our programs for 2023! |
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HPV Awareness Day March 4, 2023 |
International HPV Awareness Day is celebrated every year on March 4th. You can participate in this important initiative on the day itself and the week leading up to it with some events presented by our partners. |
Join our interactive expert panel event on Friday March 3rd as we cut the ribbon on this year’s commemoration of International HPV Awareness Day.
Hosted by the International Papillomavirus Society and moderated by broadcaster, survivor and NGO founder Tamika Felder, our panel brings together knowledge leaders from the world of clinical practice, policy and patient advocacy to explore strategies and priorities to advance access to screening as part of a global strategy to prevent HPV-related cancer.
Access to cervical screening has been identified, alongside HPV vaccination, a key pillar in the WHO cervical cancer elimination strategies, yet access to cervical screening around the world is far from where it needs to be. This panel will explore the gaps and discuss strategies to address barriers to access, with a focus on improving community awareness and supporting collective advocacy to drive action. Our panelists will discuss opportunities around the development and implementation of new technologies to improve screening and prevention for cervical and other HPV-related cancers.
Register today and share this invitation with your networks to help us to deliver a world with #onelessworry Event Start Time Event start: 4:00PM on 03.03.2023
Event finish: 5:00PM on 03.03.2023 Event Registration
Register |
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Registration is open for the St. Jude International HPV Awareness Day 2023 Seminar Series leading up to International HPV Awareness Day on March 4.
“Join us February 27-March 3 for discussions about HPV vaccination gaps in the southeastern U.S., and HPV vaccination among childhood cancer survivors and within LGBTQIA+ and rural communities,” says Heather Brandt, PhD, HPV Cancer Prevention Program director.
Thought leaders in the HPV vaccination space will serve as moderators and presenters.
Register now for the virtual series.
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The American Dental Association (ADA) passed a resolution in 2018 underscoring not only, the importance of HPV vaccination in the prevention of oropharyngeal cancers, but also the important role of dentists in HPV vaccine recommendation and administration. |
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From the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology: "Every year on February 28 and March 1, the dates that bridge Black History Month and Women’s History Month, ACOG formally acknowledges Betsey, Lucy, and Anarcha, the three enslaved Black women whose exploitation led to foundational advances in the field of obstetrics and gynecology that benefit millions of patients today.
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In the 1840s, Betsey, Lucy, and Anarcha, three enslaved Black women in Montgomery County, Alabama, were subjected to inhumane and painful experimentation at the hands of Dr. J. Marion Sims. While they are often forgotten, Sims is fondly remembered as the “father of modern gynecology” because of the surgical advancements he developed through the many abuses he perpetrated.
Betsey, Lucy, and Anarcha’s harrowing experiences have helped raise awareness about racism in medicine and the mistreatment of people of color in the medical system, which has often been overlooked throughout history. By recognizing Betsey, Lucy, and Anarcha each year, we uplift the contributions they were forced to make; learn from the history of racism in obstetrics and gynecology; and remember why it’s critical that we continue to work toward providing more inclusive, respectful, and culturally informed care."
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