Dear *{{First Name}}*,
What a whirlwind the past few months have been. Our 2nd annual fundraiser, A Shot at Prevention, took place on April 26th at The Club and I could not have asked for a better result. From our wonderful sponsors to the exceptional lecture by Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce and the heartfelt survivor perspective from Kerry McInerney, the day was nothing short of excellent. If you were in attendance, I hope you enjoyed it, if you missed it, don't fret! Included below is a highlight reel of the day as well as a video of Kerry's survivor story. Keep an eye on our social media for more clips from the day including excerpts from Dr. Pierce's remarkable presentation.
It is now already June and that means that in addition to pool parties, beach trips, and festive celebrations, it is also National Cancer Survivors Month and this Sunday is National Cancer Survivors Day. From the NCSD website:
"National Cancer Survivors Day® is an annual, treasured Celebration of Life that is held in hundreds of communities nationwide, and around the world, on the first Sunday in June. On National Cancer Survivors Day®, thousands gather across the globe to honor cancer survivors and to show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be fruitful, rewarding, and even inspiring. NCSD offers an opportunity for all people living with a history of cancer – including America’s more than 18.1 million cancer survivors – to connect with each other, celebrate milestones, and recognize those who have supported them along the way. It is also a day to draw attention to the ongoing challenges of cancer survivorship in order to promote more resources, research, and survivor-friendly legislation to improve cancer survivors’ quality of life."
This year marks 14 years since my initiation into, what some call, the worst club with the best members. In some ways it feels like a lifetime ago, in others, as fellow survivors know, it feels as though it is always with me in the present. I have friends and acquaintances who have experienced all types of cancer- HPV related and otherwise- but one thing that we all have in common is the desire to prevent cancer from ever occurring in the first place. The HPV vaccine gives us the opportunity to prevent 6 different cancers for the next generation. As survivors, we all cope with our diagnoses and treatment in different ways; turning to prayer, cancer advocacy, major lifestyle changes, or turning away from thinking about cancer all together. I started VAX 2 STOP CANCER because I wanted to take back some control over cancer and prevent others from enduring the physical and emotional hardship of diagnosis and treatment. I'm thankful that I have the privilege of doing this work each day. If you are a survivor, I hope that you spend this Sunday, National Cancer Survivors Day, doing whatever it is that brings you the most joy in your survivorship.
With Gratitude, Barbara S. Schuler
CEO and Founder |
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Thank you, once again, to our wonderful sponsors: |
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| Tamera Coyne-Beasley, MD, MPH, FAAP, FSAHM VAX 2 STOP CANCER Board Member
Dr. Tamera Coyne-Beasley is the Derrol Dawkins Endowed Chair in Adolescent Medicine, Division Director for Adolescent Medicine, Vice Chair of Pediatrics for Community Engagement, and Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama. Her areas of expertise and training include adolescent medicine, preventive medicine, health services research, medical management, epidemiology and public health. Her research, academic, community engagement, and policy and program development focus on adolescent health and well-being, sexual and reproductive health, risk behaviors and resiliency, global health, immunizations, health disparities and equity. She is a former voting member and workgroup chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and currently also serves on the board of directors for the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases. She is a Past President of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.
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Why did you join the board?
I joined the board because of the opportunity to impact HPV education and vaccination locally in the state of Alabama. What does the mission of VAX 2 STOP CANCER mean to you?
Our opportunity to prevent cancer by expanding the use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine through education, public awareness, and advocacy is critically important. Optimal uptake of HPV vaccine (>80%) has the opportunity to reduce health disparities, inequities and deaths related to all HPV attributable cancers such as cervical, oropharyngeal and anal cancer.
What is the most rewarding part of being involved with V2SC?
One of the most rewarding parts of being involved with V2SC is being able to work with a multidisciplinary and diverse group of board members, and to be able to include the voices of survivors.
What do you want the public to know about V2SC? Working to significantly improve HPV vaccination can save lives. |
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National Cancer Survivors Day |
“Cancer survivors face ongoing, often long-lasting, hardships because of their disease. These include long-term physical and emotional side effects, increased risk for second primary cancers and other health problems, and potentially devastating financial setbacks. On National Cancer Survivors Day®, we want to raise awareness of these challenges of cancer survivorship. NCSD is a celebration, but it’s more than that. It is also a call to action for further research, more resources, and increased public awareness to improve the lives of cancer survivors.” Read more
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If you are a survivor of an HPV associated cancer and you would like to share your story*, please email info@vax2stopcancer.org *Stories can be shared in writing or on camera |
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| Healio: What is the key takeaway here?
Adjei Boakye: Despite consistent evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, the number of parents who still cite safety/side effects concerns as a reason for not vaccinating their children has increased from 2010 to 2020. It would have been acceptable around 2006 when the vaccine was new but now, it is shocking that people still think the vaccine may not be safe. Over 100 million doses of the vaccine have been administered and there have been only a few serious adverse effects. Overall, the vaccine is safe and very effective — it is estimated that over 90% of HPV-associated cancers could be prevented with the HPV vaccination.
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Your gift will prevent HPV cancers in Alabama. |
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