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Cervivor School Hoosier - Why Should I Attend?

11/14/2015

2 Comments

 
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I am so excited to announce there is going to be a Cervivor School in Indianapolis!  After attending Cervivor School in San Diego this past September we got the spark!  I, along with two fellow Hoosier's Heather and Melissa, will be hosting Cervivor School Hoosier on January 16th and I really couldn't be more excited about it!  It wouldn't have been possible without the support of Tamika and Cervivor!

Currently we have heard from cervical cancer patients and survivors from Kentucky and Ohio who will be joining us and I thought it might be important to reach out and share what our Cervivor School will be all about!  The best way I can think to do this is a little Q&A.

Q.  Why should I attend Cervivor School?

A.  Cervivor School is such an amazing experience!  It was such an impactful experience for me and I chronicled it on a previous blog post which I'd love for you to read!  Check it out here.  There is even a great recap video you can view here.

Q.  Who should attend Cervivor School?

A.  Cervical cancer patients/survivors, women with HPV, clinicians, social workers, patient navigators.

Q. I only have HPV, why should I attend?

A.  Cervivor School is full of women who have been right where you are.  HPV is scary and you should be sure to educate your self about its risks! A key element in Cervivor School is providing you with the latest news in HPV and cervical cancer prevention and treatment.

Q.  I really don't want to speak in front of people, do I have to talk?

A.  There will be a variety of events throughout the day and you will have opportunities to talk, however, no one is going to force you to talk.  Each Cervivor experiences Cervivor School in a unique, but impactful, way.

Q.  What do you expect of me after Cervivor School?

A.  This answer comes straight from the Cervivor website:  We know that everyone’s level of involvement will be different – Some of you will be advocates among your friends and family; others of you will extend out to your social networks and local communities; then there will be the handful of you, that like Tamika, will want to change the global impact of cervical cancer, thinking about women across the United States, as well as women in countries around the world.  No matter how much or to what extend you want to get involved, we believe that each of you – each woman, survivor, advocate – has value and purpose in our collective commitment to ensuring that others  do not suffer or die from cervical cancer.

Q.  Where can I sign up?

A.  Sign up here!  We would love to have you!

​Do you have any more questions about Cervivor School?  I'd love to answer them!  Please reach out to me via comment or you can email me directly at Erica.tealelfs@gmail.com.  Looking forward to hearing from you!

Have you attended Cervivor School?  Please leave a message in the comments and let me know why you would suggest someone attend Cervivor School!

2 Comments
Judy Ward
11/14/2015 07:46:41 am

Not only will you meet some wonderful ladies who have gone through the same experience as you -- you will also learn useful tips like what to do when your Facebook friends post misinformation about the HPV vaccine 😁

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Jennie Elms link
11/14/2015 08:52:14 am

I attended Cervivor School San Diego, and it was a life changing experience. I was diagnosed in April 2014 with stage 1b1 cervical cancer, and I felt completely alone. I didn't know anyone who had gone through this. I felt ashamed because of the stigma surrounding HPV, a sexually transmitted infection, and cervical cancer. I joined a few groups on Facebook for women with Gyn cancer, and that helped to a certain extent. However, it wasn't the same as being face to face with other women who were in the same boat as I was. My only treatment was a radical hysterectomy. That made me feel like I didn't have "enough" cancer, because a lot of the more vocal women in these groups seemed to be much sicker, and having to undergo more treatment, like chemo and/or radiation.
When I got to Cervivor School, I found a room full of women who had the same feelings as I did, who knew what I was going through, who really & truly GOT IT. There were laughter and tears, and no topic was off limits. These women became my sisters, and I fell in love with each and every one, for their openness, their bravery, their strength, and their compassion.
I knew virtually nothing about cervical cancer when I was diagnosed, and even less about HPV. Cervivor School taught me the facts, but in a way that I could easily understand, and therefore explain to other people.
As I said at the beginning, Cervivor School changed my life. It empowered me, and showed me that my voice matters. I can take this horrible thing that happened to me, and use it to help other people. If you have the opportunity to attend Cervivor School, I highly recommend that you go. It allowed me to take back a lot of what I felt cancer had taken away from me.
Erica, Melissa & Heather, the Hoosier Cervivors, are amazing - some of the strongest women I have ever met. Cervivor School Hoosier is going to be fantastic!

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    Author

    Erica is a 32 year old cervical cancer advocate who is out living cancer for the third time. When she isn’t advocating for cervical cancer and HPV awareness as a Cervivor Ambassador, she previously oversaw the STEM program at the school where she was an educator; she now helps coordinate the robotics program. Erica enjoys spending time with her husband and son in their Indianapolis neighborhood, as well as pursuing new and adventurous hobbies. She can most recently be found fawning over kayaks and daydreaming of returning to whitewater kayaking with First Descents, an organization for young adults impacted by cancer. 

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