A Note from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

In this season of Thanksgiving I want to begin by offering my heartfelt gratitude to you. Without your support, VAX 2 STOP CANCER could not exist. When we began in 2020 amidst a global pandemic, we had no idea what would lie ahead for a fledgling organization. COVID presented many challenges for non-profits and for health care organizations. Because of you and others like you who gave your time, money, and talents, we have so much for which to be thankful this year.

Thanks to you, V2SC's flagship program, Preventing HPV Associated Cancers Through Effective Provider Education, has wrapped up for some of our first-round practices and the data through 12 months speaks for itself. The goal for the program is to increase HPV vaccination initiation and completion rates by 10%. I'm thrilled to share with you that the first nine practices have shown an average increase of 14%! We are currently recruiting practices for our second round and are very excited to be including health departments and federally qualified health centers in our training.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our health care workers who have done the heavy-lifting. To those of you who are reading, the success of this program lies with you. Your dedication to your patients and to the field of medicine throughout this difficult time has been truly inspiring for those of us at V2SC. We honor and appreciate you every day.

As always, thank you for your continued support. We cannot do it without you!

With Warm Wishes and Immense Gratitude,

Barbara Schuler

Founder/Executive Director

P.S. We have rescheduled our luncheon for April 7, 2022 so be sure to save the date on your calendar!

Please remember VAX 2 STOP CANCER in your end of year giving. Every dollar we raise supports our mission to prevent cancer by expanding the use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine through education and public awareness, and increasing research of HPV-associated cancers. A donation to V2SC makes a great holiday gift for those hard-to-shop-for friends and family members on your list!

Board Member Spotlight

William H. Johnston, MD, FAAP

VAX 2 STOP CANCER Board Member

A pediatrician who practiced at St.Vincents for 42 years, now doing clinical research there. Married, with 2 adult children. Will 37 has Down Syndrome, and Lucy 34 is an OB-Gyn at St. Vincents. 

Undergraduate at Auburn where I was president of my social fraternity and president of AED pre-medical society.
Attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine and did Pediatric Residency at the Children's Hospital of Alabama. 
Some nice honors include:

1. Multiple years on Top Doctor and Best Doctors lists. 2. Immunobiology research at Cal Tech with a Noble Laureate.

3. Selected as a medical student to serve on the National Institute of Health Research Resources Committee.

4. Long time member of St. Vincents Foundation serving as president in 2010.
5. Involved in the past on the Boards of BellCenter, Exceptional Foundation, and currently VAX 2 STOP CANCER.

Fun Fact: Dr. Bill was V2SC staff member, Veronica Wehby-Upchurch's pediatrician when she was a child. She remembers him very fondly and thinks he hasn't aged a bit!

Why did you join the board?

I was asked by a friend whom I respected.

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

As a pediatrician increasing the vaccination rate of this very important preventive vaccine is critical.

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

Working with great people and seeing the efforts show results.

What do you want the public to know about V2SC?

Its goal of preventing cancer by increasing vaccination rates.

Practice Spotlight

Over the Mountain Pediatrics- Children's of Alabama

Suzann Smith, Clinical Coordinator

A pediatric primary care practice in Birmingham with seven physicians.

How are you involved with the VAX 2 STOP CANCER program?

Attempting to improve our vaccination rate.

Why did your practice choose to participate in the program?

To protect our vulnerable patients.

What have you learned from the program?

Continue to encourage vaccination.

What has been the most rewarding part of participating?

Seeing the vaccination rate increase.

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

It's safe and effective.

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

Did You Know?

The HPV vaccine is approved for use up to age 45. While the primary goal is to have all children complete their vaccination series by age 13, shared clinical decision-making regarding HPV vaccination is recommended for some adults aged 27 through 45 years who are not adequately vaccinated. V2SC Program and Communications Manager, Veronica L. Wehby-Upchurch is 39 and received her first dose last week. When asked why she decided to get the vaccine she said, "When the vaccine was first available I was eligible but was not in the age group that was targeted. It wasn't until I came to work for V2SC that I was even aware that it is approved up to age 45. I spoke with my provider and we decided that I would get it. I want to do everything within my power to prevent cancer in my future." To learn more about the recommendations for the HPV vaccine for adults visit the CDC website here.

In the News

U.K. study: HPV vaccine reduced cervical cancer rates by 87% in women who were vaccinated at 12 and 13. A study published in the medical journal The Lancet found the rate of cervical cancer was 87% lower in women who received an HPV vaccine between the ages of 12 and 13, compared to an unvaccinated group. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook joins "CBS Mornings'' to discuss the historic findings.

HPV Fact

There are around 200 strains of HPV. Of those strains, around 13 carry the ability to cause cancer. The strains which are most associated with HPV-related cancers are HPV-16 and HPV-18.

Be sure to select VAX 2 STOP CANCER as your charity of choice when shopping on Amazon Smile. A portion of your purchase will come back to the organization. Click below to get it set up!