A Note from the CEO

Dear Friends,

Happy National Nonprofit Day! Summer has flown by, and it is already time for school to start. Consequently, many children have been visiting their doctors for back-to-school vaccinations. I am optimistic that children being seen in the sites we have trained to give a strong recommendation for the HPV vaccine, will be much more likely to receive the vaccine than they would have been before. I look forward to seeing the data from our participating practices in the next few months to see how many of those 9-13 year-olds returning to school have started or completed the HPV vaccine series.

Even if they have already gone back to school, it's not too late to encourage the 9-13 year-olds in your life to start or catch up on their HPV vaccination series to prevent cancer! The FDA has approved co-administration of the HPV vaccine with the flu and COVID-19 vaccines and everyone aged 9-26 should receive the HPV vaccine. See our HPV Vaccination Resource Guide at the very bottom of the page for links to information to help you talk about the vaccine.

I have included our latest program update below so that you can see the progress made with your help. As always, thank you for your continued support, it is a true privilege to work alongside you to prevent cancer in the future for Alabama's children. 

With Gratitude,

Barbara S. Schuler

Founder/CEO

P.S.  Last month we sent out a supporter engagement survey to gain some insights into how we can best communicate with you. If you didn't have a chance to complete it then, please take a few minutes now to let us know your thoughts.

Program Update

Your gift will prevent HPV cancers for the next generation.

Supporter Spotlight

Alabama Giving defines community foundations as "public endowments that administer a number of endowed funds contributed by a variety of donors primarily for local purposes, to solve community or regional problems, and improve the lives of people in a geographic area."

For VAX 2 STOP CANCER, two of Alabama's community foundations are more than that, they are our partners in our mission to prevent cancer in Alabama. The board and staff of V2SC are exceedingly grateful to have the support of the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama and the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham for our quality improvement program.

Support for “Preventing HPV-associated Cancers through Effective Provider Education” was provided by a grant from Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.

Funding for "Preventing HPV-associated Cancers through Effective Provider Education" is made possible by a grant from the Stringfellow Heath Fund of the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama.

Board Member Spotlight

Terrance Moultrie, Member-at-Large

Lighting Sales Manager for Lighting Services at Alabama Power. Terrance manages a sales team for the company's Birmingham, Eastern and Western Divisions. He is responsible for business development of new and current municipal, commercial and industrial customers. His team work closely with government entities including City Mayors, Council offices, ALDOT, Housing Authorities, Park Boards & etc.

Why did you join the board?

I have been personally impacted by cancer involving a family member.

What does the mission of VAX 2 STOP CANCER mean to you?

Being the voice in the fight against preventative cancer and leading the way for a cure.

What is the most rewarding part of being involved with V2SC?

Growth personally from making a difference for a worthy cause. Also, working with the V2SC staff and other board members.

What do you want the public to know about V2SC?

It plays a vital role in the community and we need their support. The work by V2SC staff has been amazing. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to training medical staff in the field.

Practice Spotlight

Pediatrics West- Bessemer 

Pediatrics West- McAdory

Children's of Alabama Pediatrics West

Pediatrics West was originally part of the Pediatrics Department at Lloyd Noland Hospital and then HealthSouth Metro West. When the decision was made in 2001 for that hospital to no longer employ physicians, the practice was purchased by Children’s of Alabama. Today Pediatrics West operates two offices in Bessemer serving patients ranging from newborns to 18 years. We recognize the ongoing development in this community, and we look forward to continuing to expand our practice to serve the growing number of children in this area.

Charles Schlappi, MD Pediatrician & V2SC Program Liaisonfor Bessemer

Margaret Wester, MD Pediatrician & V2SC Program Liaisonfor McAdory

Why did your practice choose to participate in the program?

Dr. Schlappi: Improve vaccine administration, get more informational handouts on the vaccines, and complete QI requirements.

Dr. Wester: To increase HPV vaccination rates.

What have you learned from the program?

Dr. Schlappi: Improved ways to talk to patients regarding the vaccine.

Dr. Wester: New ways to counsel families on the safety of the vaccine.

What has been the most rewarding part of participating?

Dr. Schlappi: Actually seeing numbers increase for vaccine recipients.

Dr. Wester: Anticipatory guidance. (Proactive counseling that addresses the significant physical, emotional, psychological, and developmental changes that will occur in children during the interval between health supervision visits.)

What is one thing you want the public to know about the program and/or the HPV vaccine?

Dr. Schlappi: It is the only cancer prevention vaccine available.

Dr. Wester: It's safety profile and the benefits of long-term cancer protection

If you would like to refer a practice to our program, please email veronica@vax2stopcancer.org

Did You Know?

Partner Spotlight

VAX 2 STOP CANCER is a proud member of the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable, a coalition of public, private, and voluntary organizations with expertise relevant to increasing HPV vaccination rates in the United States as a way to reduce illness and death from HPV cancers, through coordinated leadership and strategic planning. 

Step Up To The Plate - Register Today!

Vax Like A Champion at the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable 2022 National Meeting. Make plans to attend on Wednesday, Sept 28, and Thursday, Sept 29. 

Join us virtually from anywhere in the world.

It’s free to attend.

DAY 1: September 28, 2022, 1-5 PM  ET – for the general public

DAY 2: September 29, 2022, 1-5 PM ET- for HPVRT Member Organizations

HPV Fact

In addition to genital warts and the 6 known cancers it causes, HPV also causes recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare disorder characterized by the development of small, wart-like growths (papillomas) in the respiratory tract.

 with

At no additional cost to you, your purchases can support VAX 2 STOP CANCER!

HPV Vaccination Resource Guide 

Get Back on Track with Routine Vaccines
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

HPV Vaccination Starts at Age 9
National HPV Roundtable

HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention

Alabama Department of Public Health

Resources for Parents

VAX 2 STOP CANCER