On the Path to Prevention from the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program

A Future Free of HPV Cancers Starts With You

We have exciting news to share with you in this June communication. Today, our program launches the first phase of a new public awareness campaign – Their Future Is In Your Hands. We are very excited about this new campaign and hope you will take a look at stjude.org/preventHPV. We also have included more information on the campaign in this newsletter.

HPV vaccination and HPV cancers have been in the news lately. I want to highlight a couple of examples here.

At the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, a study by DeKloe et al. added to our understanding and evidence supporting decreased rates of HPV cancers among people who are vaccinated. This specific study examined head and neck, anal, penile, vulvar, vaginal, and cervical cancer in combination to demonstrate risk reduction. In addition, and importantly, the study looked at pre-cancers. Read the abstract here, and read a Bloomberg news article here.

There are several June awareness celebrations featured in this month’s newsletter. I want to take a moment to applaud the release of an article “Cancer in People who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Sexual, Transgender, Queer or Gender-nonconforming” published in Cancer by Kratzer et al. and the American Cancer Society companion report, “Cancer Facts and Figures 2024 Special Section: Cancer in People Who Identify as LGBTQ+.” We are reminded during PRIDE Month that we do not have enough information nor enough efforts to address cancer among people who identify as LGBTQ+. These reports will inform and result in action.

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program team has two new members – Lori Lindgren, program coordinator and Khalid Khalafalla, student intern. You will learn a little bit about them in this month’s team question and more about them in next month’s newsletter. We welcome Lori and Khalid!

Always so much to share – let us know if you have something you want us to include in future newsletters.

We are launching the first phase of a new national public awareness campaign today on June 6. The Their Future Is In Your Hands campaign promotes on-time HPV vaccination for all children as a proven way to prevent HPV cancers later in life. The campaign takes a fun approach to reveal a simple yet powerful truth: Kids aren’t thinking about HPV. That’s why parents, caregivers, and vaccine decision-makers need to act now. We know that when a child receives HPV vaccination on-time, the greater the HPV cancer prevention potential. The campaign features kids lost in daydreams, wondering about all sorts of random things—except for HPV cancers. St. Jude wants kids to be kids – and parents to take on the role of protector by choosing HPV vaccination for them.

Our campaign goal is to increase on-time HPV vaccination coverage in children and move us closer to a world free of HPV cancers. We know that widespread HPV vaccination in countries like Australia and the UK has led to significant decreases in HPV cancers, and we hope that our creative approach breaks through the noise and reaches parents when it matters most.

The campaign reminds parents that HPV vaccination is cancer prevention and that “A future free of HPV cancers starts with you.” We are thrilled to see this campaign roll out and are excited to inspire more parents to help protect their kids.

As the only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated solely to children, St. Jude has an important role and responsibility in increasing the number of children who benefit from HPV vaccination and reducing their risk of preventable cancers later in life. While we do not yet know how to prevent pediatric cancers, there is an opportunity to support a safe and effective vaccination given to children to prevent six types of cancers developed as adults.

Help us spread the word – HPV vaccination is cancer prevention. Stay tuned for additional information on the campaign as it is unveiled during this critical back-to-school period.

Learn more at stjude.org/preventHPV. Email us at preventHPV@stjude.org with any questions.

Quarterly Communication, May 15

The May 2024 quarterly communication highlighted efforts to enhance HPV vaccination rates in rural areas. Key activities described in the communication included the virtual quarterly updates meeting on May 22 featuring presentations from ACS Emerging Leaders and a recap of the February 2024 meeting discussing rural vaccination strategies. It also included a recent brief on data on rural-urban disparities in HPV-related cancers which reveals growing gaps, especially in cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. The communication also covered collaborations with organizations like the American Cancer Society Rural HPV Vaccination Learning Community, and an invitation to participate in upcoming events, such as the National Rural Cancer Control Conference. Read the entire May 2024 quarterly communication here.

Quarterly Updates Meeting, May 22

On May 22, at our quarterly updates meeting, the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program team reported on the progress toward the six priority action steps since February. The updates include the development of a matrix to identify potential sources for increasing HPV vaccination among providers and rural communities. This matrix filters resources based on how specifically they address HPV vaccination in rural areas and prioritizes publications from the last two years. Below are some examples of resources identified
using this matrix.

Promote starting HPV vaccination at age nine in rural communities: Identified and added new toolkits from the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable Start at Age 9 and from the Kentucky Public Health Department.

Compile and share existing resources for addressing HPV vaccination with rural communities: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) HPV Campaign and a video on Addressing HPV Vaccination in Rural Communities.

Develop or adapt health care provider and health care professional HPV vaccination training resources for those serving rural communities: Improving Cervical Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Management : A Toolkit to Build Provider Capacity and WV Rural Health Association: HPV Resources for Health Care Providers.

Explore policy influences on HPV vaccination in rural areas: Working with an external consultant on a project to examine regulation of provider reimbursement for HPV vaccination.

Develop, test, and disseminate easy-to-use messages for rural audiences: Working with an external vendor on a National HPV Communication campaign with a section focused on rural vaccination.
Review and update existing resources and data on HPV vaccination and HPV cancers in rural communities: Working with an external consultant to understand rural-urban HPV cancer disparities. A full report will be presented during the August 21 meeting.

Members of the American Cancer Society National HPV Vaccination Roundtable Emerging Leaders Program, including Dr. Ha Ngan (Milkie) Vu, Assistant Professor at Northwestern University; Dr. Shillpa Naavaal, Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University; and Kiara Long, Program Manager at the American Cancer Society National Roundtable on Cervical Cancer, presented their qualitative study on HPV vaccination. Their research focused on Virginia, Illinois, and South Carolina, aiming to enhance HPV vaccination efforts in these states.

Some of the identified barriers in the study include lack of data, physicians (particularly, pediatricians), and awareness of the HPV vaccine. Future opportunities include better Medicaid reimbursement, engaging non-traditional partners, and mobile clinics.

Access the recording of the May quarterly updates meeting here.

You can register for the next quarterly updates meeting, on August 21 here.

Join our efforts to improve rural HPV vaccination coverage.

Visit the Preventing HPV Cancers in Rural Communities website at stjude.org/hpvrural or sign up here to receive the latest information on our rural HPV coverage efforts. Email PreventHPV@stjude.org with any questions.

Wide Open Spaces: Supporting HPV Vaccination with Rural Communities

Mountain West HPV Vaccination Project Helps Shape American Cancer Society National Rural HPV Vaccination Program

In 2020, the American Cancer Society (ACS) launched the Mountain West HPV Vaccination Project to increase HPV vaccinations in five mountainous and rural states: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. The project sought to address geographic and gender gaps in HPV vaccination rates and increase on-time initiation. With 57 million Americans calling rural communities home, these individuals experience access barriers and poorer health outcomes, including a higher incidence of HPV-related cancers. Historically, rural communities lag 10% behind urban in the uptake of the HPV vaccination series, and the COVID-19 pandemic elevated vaccine hesitancy in these communities. To address this gap, ACS applied a health equity lens and partnership model to implement disparity-reducing interventions through a three-pronged strategy including state, system, and individual work.

Read more in this month's Wide Open Spaces article here.

We invite guest contributors to share information on how they are working to improve HPV vaccination in rural areas. If you are interested in contributing or learning more about our efforts to improve HPV vaccination with rural communities, please email us at PreventHPV@stjude.org.

HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast

The Southeast Roundtable has been busy focusing on the three priority actions identified earlier this year at the in-person meeting. These priorities focus on communication, elimination, and starting HPV vaccination at age 9. These priorities continue to be further developed through working group meetings.

Communication: The communication priority is to develop and implement a communication campaign and messages for the Southeastern region. The first strategy under communication is to develop a campaign centered on a comprehensive approach for talking with parents, caregivers, and vaccine decision makers for families with children about the importance of the HPV vaccination and (1) promote HPV vaccination and (2) encourage normalization of HPV vaccination as cancer prevention (calls to action). A contract with a communications agency is being finalized to move forward with the first strategy. The second strategy on rural collaboration and third strategy on healthcare providers are both in need of leaders to move these strategies forward. The next working group meeting is on June 26.

Elimination: The elimination policy priority is to develop and disseminate a plan for HPV cancer elimination in the Southeast, beginning with cervical cancer as a public health problem. Our recent efforts have been focused on understanding the contexts and definitions of elimination and coming to a consensus about an elimination plan for the Southeast. Later this summer, we will launch an assessment to better understand the work that is currently happening around elimination and identify opportunities for collective action and alignment. The results of this assessment will inform the development of an elimination plan for the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast and a toolkit that will be disseminated to partners in individual states.

Additionally, the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast will host the Achieving Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Southeast Virtual Training Experience on June 6 to learn more about the process of developing an elimination plan in Alabama – Operation Wipeout and how similar elimination plans can be adopted across southeastern states. More information is available below.

Start at Age 9: The start at age nine priority is to accelerate efforts to start HPV vaccination at age nine, as a best practice for ensuring on-time completion of the HPV vaccination series. The ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable has an extensive suite of existing resources to be disseminated across the region. In addition, another strategy is to offer training experiences to healthcare providers who recommend HPV vaccination, administer HPV vaccination, and/or engage with vaccine decision makers. The Southeast Roundtable will offer a virtual training experience on the 3Cs Program: Consistent, Confident, and Concise to navigate vaccine hesitancy and employ a motivational interviewing approach. This program, developed by the Unity Consortium offers multiple resources to support starting at age nine. This training will be on Sept. 5, from 12-2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CT and will be limited to those who recommend HPV vaccination, administer HPV vaccination, and/or engage with vaccine decision makers. Registration information will be available soon.

If you are interested in getting involved, please email us at PreventHPV@stjude.org. We are looking for leaders of various strategies identified as most impactful under each of the priorities and working group team members. Read more about the process of arriving at these priorities and access more resources in the April quarterly newsletter.

Achieving Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Southeast Virtual Training Experience, June 6

Join us on June 6 from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m.-12 p.m. CT, for an interactive training experience on one of the identified priorities of the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast.

The second priority action of the Southeast Roundtable is to develop and disseminate a plan for HPV cancer elimination in the Southeast, beginning with cervical cancer as a public health problem. Learn about the process of developing an elimination plan in Alabama – Operation Wipeout – from Isabel Scarinci, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Nancy Wright, MPH, Alabama Department of Health. The Alabama plan serves as a model for developing and implementing a plan in the Southeast. Following presentations, breakout room discussions and large group sharing will round out this experience.

Registration information and flyer available at stjude.org/southeast-roundtable. Note: Register to participate live or access the recording following the conclusion of the training.

Read more about the Southeast Roundtable in the April quarterly newsletter and at stjude.org/southeast-roundtable.

National Cancer Survivor Month

June marks National Cancer Survivor Month, a time to celebrate the incredible courage and resilience of those who have faced the challenges of cancer head-on. As a community, we stand in awe of the determination and spirit of cancer survivors, whose journeys inspire us to cherish every moment and fight for a world free from this devastating disease.
Cancer survivorship is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. There are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States. Each survivor's path is unique, marked by moments of fear, hope, and profound personal growth. They have endured grueling treatments, navigated complex medical systems, and emerged stronger, more empowered, and deeply appreciative of the preciousness of life.

This month, let us take the time to honor the cancer survivors in our lives, especially those who have overcome HPV cancers. Their stories remind us that even in the face of the most daunting obstacles, the human spirit can triumph. They are living proof that with determination, compassion, and a steadfast will to persevere, anything is possible.

But our work is far from over.

Here are some ways you can support cancer survivors:

Join a celebratory event in your community, for National Cancer Survivor Month
If you are a cancer survivor, consider sharing your story of hope with others.
Advocate for cancer research by contacting your elected officials.

In the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program Path to Prevention newsletter, we share the stories of HPV cancer survivors. Every data point we share represents a person – someone whose life matters and is loved by their family members and friends. Here are a few of the powerful stories of HPV cancer survivors. Help us elevate their inspirational journeys.

Karla Chavez, Cervical Cancer Survivor

Jason Mendelsohn, Oral Cancer Survivor

Calvin Nokes, Anal Cancer Survivor

Anna Ogo, Cervical Cancer Survivor

Kimberly Williams, Cervical Cancer Survivor

June is Pride Month: A Time to Focus on HPV Cancer Prevention for LGBTQIA+ Individuals

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, a time to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s also an important opportunity to highlight crucial health issues, such as HPV cancer prevention, for this population. HPV vaccination is essential for everyone, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community, as it helps prevent various cancers caused by the virus. The LGBTQIA+ community faces unique health disparities, and promoting HPV vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers.

Raising awareness and increasing vaccination rates can help ensure a healthier future for all. People who identify as LGBTQIA+ are at higher risk of developing HPV-associated pre-cancers and cancers. However, HPV vaccination coverage has not been documented adequately to assess increased risk and identify barriers. Several barriers to HPV vaccination exist among LGBTQIA+ individuals, including a lack of awareness and knowledge of the cancer prevention benefits of the vaccine, limited access to HPV vaccination, opposing healthcare provider attitudes, stigma, and discrimination.
People identifying as LGBTQIA+ are more successful at getting the HPV vaccination when they have gender-affirming healthcare, an established healthcare home, and adequate health insurance coverage. Despite the importance, there has been a lack of inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in HPV vaccination research and recommendations, including how to effectively communicate the benefits of vaccination to this community.

As we celebrate Pride Month, let’s take pride in protecting our health and supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Raising awareness about HPV vaccination and its benefits is a crucial step in addressing health disparities and ensuring that everyone can live a healthy life. By supporting and advocating for HPV vaccination, we can help reduce the risk of cancer within the LGBTQIA+ community and promote a healthier, more inclusive future for all.

If you would like to learn more about how to improve HPV vaccination rates among LGBTQIA+ individuals, go here.

Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Awareness Day, June 11

Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Awareness Day is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about this rare disease. The Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Foundation (RRPF) and Precigen, a company developing a therapeutic vaccine for RRP, first held the event on June 11, 2021. The RRPF's mission is to improve the lives of RRP patients by promoting HPV prevention, supporting research and education, and advocating for non-surgical approaches. This annual awareness day falls on June 11 again this year.

"As a patient and an advocate on behalf of the RRP community, I am thrilled to team up with Precigen to raise awareness about RRP and bring together critical stakeholders to engage in a dialogue on important aspects impacting individuals living with RRP," said Kim McClellan, Board President, RRPF. "We would like to invite and encourage anyone living with RRP, either as a patient, family member or caregiver, to join us in spreading the word about RRP and participate in this event."

Learn more about the RRPF here. Learn more about Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Awareness Day here and register for Giving Voice to Inspire Change here.

HPV Cancer Survivor Story: Reaves Crabtree

Oropharyngeal cancer survivor, Reaves Crabtree, shares his story of how he experienced symptoms but chose to hold off on going to his doctor as they eventually went away. However, he eventually went to the doctor and was diagnosed with HPV-related oral cancer. The journey was challenging, but he told his doctors, “You take care of science and I’ll handle the spiritual and physical aspects.” He is happy to announce that he has been cancer-free for the last four years.

Read more here about Reaves’s survivor story during National Cancer Survivor Month.

Recap Beyond the Numbers: Understanding and Addressing HPV Vaccination and HPV Cancer Disparities among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

On May 14, the Empowering and Strengthening Community, Culture, and Connection to Prevent HPV Cancers seminar series kicked off with, Beyond the Numbers: Understanding and Addressing HPV Vaccination and HPV Cancer Disparities among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

The seminar was moderated by Julie HT Dang, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Health Policy and Management, Executive Director, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. Panelists included:

Angela Chia-Chen Chen, PhD, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, Professor, McLaren Greater Lansing Endowed Chair for Behavioral Mental Health Nursing Education Michigan State University College of Nursing
Seok Won Jin, PhD, MSW, MA, School of Social Work at the University of Memphis
Anna Ogo, Cervivor Ambassador and Cervivor Japan Liaison
Jaimie Z. Shing, PhD, MPH, Staff Scientist, US National Cancer Institute
Ha Ngan (Milkie) Vu, PhD, MA, Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

Presenters and discussion highlighted current disparities and underscored the importance of detailed data for Asian American and Pacific Islander subgroups. They also explored strategies to improve HPV cancer prevention within these communities. During the moderated discussion, panelists emphasized the importance of engaging the community through trusted messengers and building genuine relationships based on empathy, working with communities rather than for them. They also highlighted the need for cultural competence among providers, to ensure that patients feel safe and comfortable discussing their condition, particularly given the stigma surrounding HPV in many communities.

Learn more about HPV cancer prevention among Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in this fact sheet.

A recording of the virtual seminar and a copy of the presentation will be available on our events webpage soon.

Partner Spotlight:

Alabama Operation Wipe Out

Operation Wipe Out is a partnership to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat in Alabama by bringing together the power of Alabama’s public, private, and non-profit sectors to expand access to evidence-based cervical cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. On May 8, 2023, the Alabama Department of Public Health launched the Strategic Action Plan for Cervical Cancer Elimination as a Public Health Problem in the State of Alabama, making Alabama the first state to implement a plan of this kind. Learn more here.

From its initial launch, collaborators from Operation Wipe Out are making strides, not only in Alabama, but helping pave the way for many states by being the blueprint to help others replicate their elimination plan beginning with cervical cancer.

In May 2024, Operation Wipeout was highlighted in a feature, Cervical Cancer Can Be Eliminated. Alabama Is Leading the Way in the Wall Street Journal, highlighting missed opportunities for HPV vaccination and racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in cervical cancer rates.

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program is honored to support the efforts of Operation Wipe Out to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.

A Night Out for Wipe Out

Join Operation Wipe Out on June 21 for A Night Out for Wipe Out, a gala benefiting Operation Wipe Out. Dress to impress in your summery best, for an elegant evening replete with delicious food and drink, music, and a cause that's now more important than ever.

Proceeds from the event will directly support Operation Wipe Out’s activities to expand access to HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening and treatment in the state of Alabama.

Celebrate the tremendous success – and still untapped potential – of Operation Wipe Out alongside partners, cancer survivors, and a growing community of supporters and friends, as we look to a future free of cervical cancer in Alabama. Learn more about A Night Out for Wipe Out here.

Partner Activities and Updates

Arkansas

Immunize Arkansas HPV Summit
Immunize Arkansas hosted its annual 2024 HPV Summit, HPV Vaccination: Erasing Cancer One Shot at a Time, on May 3 in Little Rock. Presenters gave healthcare providers tools to talk with patients about the benefits of HPV vaccination and shared best practices about ways to increase HPV vaccination rates.

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program team collaborated with the Alabama Operation Wipe Out team, represented by Heather White, DrPH, Executive Director for TogetHER for Health. The co-lead presentation resources available to spread awareness about the HPV vaccination, but the highlight was the discussion of Operation Wipe Out, and how the plan aims to eliminated cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama by raising awareness about HPV and cervical cancer prevention and facilitating access to vaccination, screening, follow-up, and treatment.

Immunize Arkansas is also gearing up for the 2024 Immunization Summit. The annual educational event is for immunization leaders and healthcare providers from around Arkansas and the region interested in addressing and improving immunization issues. The event will take place August 9.

UAMS Researchers Link HPV Vaccine Hesitancy to Lack of Accurate Information

Limited or inaccurate information about the HPV vaccine has created apprehension among Arkansas parents to vaccinate their children against the virus, according to researchers in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Office of Community Health and Research. Learn more here.

Louisiana

Cervical Cancer in Louisiana Remains High, HPV Vaccination Low
A recent Nola.com article highlights that cervical cancer deaths in Louisiana remain high as parents decline the HPV vaccine for teens. Only 36% of Louisiana teens are vaccinated, compared to the national average of 63%, with some parishes as low as 13%. This places the state fifth in cervical cancer deaths and second among Black women. Misconceptions about the vaccine, cultural barriers, and COVID-19 impacts contribute to low vaccination rates. In response, Louisiana State University secured $1.2 million from the American Cancer Society to improve cervical cancer screenings by addressing barriers like childcare issues.

You can view Louisiana’s HPV data state profile here. For other state profiles, visit our resources page here.

Louisiana Department of Health’s Immunization Program HPV Educational Campaign
The Louisiana Department of Health’s Immunization Program has launched a new statewide multimedia campaign to educate and raise awareness about the HPV vaccine. This initiative features outdoor, social media, and digital advertisements. It also includes brochures for the public and educational materials for healthcare providers (including one-pagers and badge buddies). The “Be Protected from HPV” campaign features videos in 6, 15, and 30 second lengths.

The program specifically targets providers with HPV series completion rates below 40% and those in areas with low completion rates, offering strategies to improve these rates. Additionally, providers with completion rates above 70% will be recognized with awards and featured in the immunization newsletter.

Mississippi

The 2024 Mississippi HPV Summit, held on May 7, featured key speakers who covered topics related to HPV, its related cancers, and the vaccine's effectiveness. The summit stressed the importance of starting vaccinations at age nine, suggesting strategies to boost uptake, such as framing the vaccine as a cancer prevention measure, securing strong provider endorsements, and reiterating the message at every visit.

Even though vaccination rates have generally increased, 60% of parents with unvaccinated children still do not plan to vaccinate. Recommendations included initiating vaccination discussions at age nine, focusing on cancer prevention, and sharing personal experiences to build trust. The summit also addressed barriers like Mississippi's conservative and religious context, the absence of mandated vaccination and sex education, high poverty rates, and healthcare provider shortages. The impact of COVID-19 on vaccination rates, due to canceled visits and reduced vaccine confidence, was also discussed. Speakers highlighted the need to frame the vaccine as a cancer prevention tool and engage the community through small group discussions.

Another presentation emphasized the role of oral health providers in preventing HPV-associated cancers, reviewing national and state guidelines, promoting HPV vaccination and oral cancer screenings in dental practices, and discussing efforts to include HPV vaccination codes in dental care.

The recording of the summit is available on demand at the MS AAP Chapter website. For continuing education credits (available until June 7), you can register here.

Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee

May Communication

We are excited to announce the release of the May edition of the Memphis and Shelby County Roundtable Newsletter. This edition features the latest updates on HPV prevention efforts in our community and highlights recent activities by the Memphis Roundtable. To access the newsletter and stay informed about what is happening in Memphis and Shelby County, click here. If you haven't already subscribed to our newsletter, be sure to click here to stay up to date with our latest news and events.

Annual Roundtable Meeting
The Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable will host its 2024 Annual Roundtable on Sept. 24. This event is a collaborative effort of healthcare, community, and advocacy partners with a mission to measurably increase HPV vaccination coverage in Memphis and Shelby County. The Roundtable aims to engage local allies and partners to collectively boost HPV vaccination rates, enhance awareness and education about HPV vaccination, and build the capacity of its members to extend their outreach efforts. Save the dates for the 2024 Annual Meeting will be sent out soon.

Keep Summer Cool Posters
As the school year ends, it is already time to think about back-to-school. The Memphis Roundtable is pleased to offer you a "Keep Summer Cool" poster to promote HPV vaccination during this critical time when most children are vaccinated. The poster takes on a quintessential summer treat – a popsicle – and emphasizes HPV vaccination is cancer prevention and starts at age nine.

Access the poster at stjude.org/memphis-roundtable. You also can email PreventHPV@stjude.org to request copies to be mailed to you. We expect the posters will be available by early June.

CCCNP Cancer Conversations: Partnerships and Cervical Cancer Elimination, May 21

On May 21, Julia Brown, program manager of the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program, presented to the Comprehensive Cancer Control National Partnership (CCCNP). The discussion explored lessons learned in the development and implementation of a statewide action plan to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama and plans to develop cervical cancer elimination plans across the Southeast. Access the recording here.

Learn more about CCCNP here.

National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week, June 13-19

The theme of the 4th National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week is Engaging the Generations. Project Community at the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence began its National Black Family Cancer Awareness initiative in 2021 coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act and the signing of Presidential Executive Order 13985. The initiative, now a year-round project, started as a week-long social media campaign to increase cancer awareness in one of the most vulnerable segments of the U.S. population. The National Black Family Cancer Awareness initiative aims to marshal community-based partners and people to build knowledge surrounding cancer clinical trial participation and minority population specimen donations to national genomic databases for cancer research.

Register for the June 13 Conversations on Cancer public panel discussion.

Use the 2024 #BlackFamCan social media toolkit and share YouTube videos and graphics. Access resources to promote this important awareness week here.

2024 International HPV Awareness Day Campaign Report

The International HPV Awareness Day Campaign Report 2024 is now available to summarize the collective effort of the International Papillomavirus Society )IPVS) and its global network of 140+ partner organizations around the world, which has translated into an amazing increase in the impact of the campaign again this year. The IPVS attributes much of this year’s growth to the power of personal testimonial videos from HPV cancer survivors telling their story in their own languages.

Some campaign engagement highlights include:

Campaign videos have more than 19 million views from people around the world
AskAboutHPV website accumulated over 1 million new visitors
The High-Level Panel Event on Advancing Treatment of HPV-related Cancers held March 4 was very successful.

The report is filled with inspiring stories of local HPV awareness activities from the IPVS network of campaign partner organizations around the world in the weeks around March 4 on International HPV Awareness Day. Through these efforts, the campaign is impacting public awareness of HPV and getting more people to protect their health.

If your organization is interested in joining the IPVS official campaign partner network, please contact hpvday@kenes.com.

Save the Date for the 2025 National HPV Conference

The 2025 National HPV Conference on April 15-17, 2025, will bring together professionals from all HPV disciplines and backgrounds to work towards eliminating HPV cancers. This conference is for advocates, community health workers, clinical professionals, policy, health educators, and more. Sign up here to be notified when registration opens.

Call for abstracts will open June 15 and must be submitted by Sept. 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Posters and oral presentations will be accepted.

Check the conference website for updates.

“Phil Dunphy from Modern Family because he is caring and goes out of his way to ensure his children’s happiness and well-being.” – Cristóbal Valdebenito, program coordinator

“I would choose Marlin, from Finding Nemo. He crossed literal oceans to find his son. Now that’s a great dad!” – Kasia Mitchell, program coordinator

“Carl Winslow, from the show Family Matters, always made sure that his family was well taken care of. Despite getting annoyed with Steve Urkel and his catchphrase ‘Did I do that?’ Carl still made sure that Steve felt loved.” – Portia Knowlton, program coordinator

“If I could choose any fictional character to be my father, it would be Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” – Akeria Taylor, program coordinator

“I would have to choose Ray Campbell on Sister Sister. Even surrounded by chaos, he knew how to stay calm in every situation.” - Julia Brown, program manager

“I have always admired Floyd Henderson from the TV show Smart Guy. He was a widowed father raising three kids and he was such a great role model for them.” – Karlisa Cryer, medical content writer

“George Jefferson from The Jeffersons. “ – Ursula Leflore, administrative specialist

“Jack [Pearson] on This Is Us had his faults, but he owned up to them and overcame his demons while trying to be a better father than he had. He died as a result of saving his family (and dog) from a house fire. He wasn't perfect, but he tried to do his best.” – Lori Lindgren, program coordinator

“After I read this question, the first name that came to my mind is Richard Williams from King Richard, as I perceive him to be a devoted father who continuously supported his daughters in achieving their dreams despite challenging family circumstances.” – Pragya Gautam Poudel, postdoctoral fellow

“Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. He was courageous and intelligent. He defended the community while setting a good example for his children.” – Randi Harris, medical content writer

“I would pick Danny Tanner from Full House. He was always so sweet to his daughters.” – Duha Magzoub, program coordinator

"Niklaus Mikaelson, a character, from the show The Originals. He possesses supernatural powers and is willing to do anything for his family and kids, even if it involves wiping out entire civilizations." - Khalid Khalafalla, student intern

“I would choose Flex Alexander, from the TV show, One on One as my fictional father because he is fun, fair, has a dashing smile, and was a superstar.” – Andrea Stubbs, administrative director

“If I had to choose, and the team tells me I have to, I would choose a recent character without a second thought – Jack Pearson from This Is Us. I think of him every time I use my crockpot.” – Dr. Heather Brandt, director