On the Path to Prevention

Cool Tips for a Healthy Back-to-School Season
Updates on the Current Vaccination Landscape
August is National Immunization Awareness Month: Back-to-School Resources
Choosing HPV Vaccination: Parents Share Their Stories
Improving Rural HPV Vaccination Coverage
Wide Open Spaces: Nebraska Cancer Coalition
HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast
Cancer Survivor Story: I Survived Cervical Cancer, Now My Kids Are Protected
Partner Spotlight: O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Partner Activities and Updates
Current and Upcoming Events
Welcome Summer Interns!
Team Question
Get Free St. Jude HPV Education Materials
Previous St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program Monthly E-newsletters
About the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program

Cool Tips for a Healthy Back-to-School Season

The back-to-school season continues, even with some children already back in school. This is the time of year when most children are vaccinated against HPV, and our efforts are important to ensure parents, caregivers, and those making decisions about HPV vaccination for their children have all the information needed to protect their children against six types of HPV cancers. Check out the cool tips for a healthy back-to-school season in this month’s Path to Prevention newsletter, including testimonials from parents who have chosen to protect their children against HPV cancers.

In addition, during the back-to-school season, our program’s national public awareness campaign has been refreshed. This campaign continues to focus on the questions kids are asking because they are not thinking about HPV vaccination. That is why parents need to. There is a general audience angle as well as specific messages for people living in rural communities. Visit the campaign webpage for more information and resources at stjude.org/PreventHPV.

The vaccination landscape in the United States, known to be one of the greatest public health achievements in our country’s history, continues to be threatened by actions to systematically undermine access to and confidence in proven vaccinations. Science is on our side: HPV vaccination is safe and prevents cancer. We understand many of our partners are experiencing unprecedented cuts to vaccination funding, and we remain committed to supporting all partners sharing our program’s commitment to HPV vaccination for cancer prevention. As a result, we added a section to our monthly Path to Prevention newsletter with updates on the current landscape. This section will include links to available resources to assist people and partners committed to ensuring HPV vaccination remains available to prevent cancers.

Updates on the Current Landscape

Vaccinations have always yielded resistance by a vocal minority, yet the majority of people in the U.S. have accepted vaccinations as important tools to keep their family, schools, and communities safe and free of vaccine-preventable diseases. The CDC declared vaccinations as one of the top public health accomplishments in the U.S. However, escalating vaccination hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic and additional scrutiny as a result of recent actions on the federal level have led to changes and concerns about maintaining vaccination coverage gains. As there are important updates to share, we will include this newly added section to the monthly Path to Prevention newsletter.

Since 1964, the ACIP has existed as a federal advisory committee that develops written recommendations for the use of vaccines licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the U.S. The ACIP has worked closely with the CDC and other national organizations committed to protecting the public against vaccine-preventable diseases. Recent changes to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) membership have fueled narratives about vaccination safety and effectiveness. Health care providers, public health professionals, and community members all benefit from having access to clear, reliable information about vaccinations.

In support of HPV vaccination, several national organizations submitted letters to the ACIP during the public comment period prior to the summer 2025 meeting.

There are questions about who people will trust with such uncertainty about qualifications and motivation. Many resources are available with accurate information about HPV vaccination. This resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) posted on healthychildren.org provides important information about the recommended vaccination schedule, including HPV vaccination. The AAP first released vaccine recommendations for children beginning with an eight-page booklet in 1938. The first officially recommended immunization schedule for children by the AAP (along with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and American Academy of Family Physicians) was published in January 1995. The AAP will continue to publish vaccination recommendations and remain a trusted source of information for health care providers and those making vaccination decisions for children.

The Vaccine Integrity Project, an initiative of the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy at the University of Minnesota, funded by an unrestricted gift from Alumbra, has stepped in to work to fill the void of a loss of confidence in the ACIP due to recent changes. The Vaccine Integrity Project is an initiative dedicated to safeguarding vaccine use in the U.S. so that it remains grounded in the best available science, free from external influence, and focused on optimizing protection of individuals, families, and communities against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Last month, the CDC released new data revealing a decline in kindergarten vaccination rates compared to last year. As we know, high childhood vaccination rates are essential to foster community immunity to safeguard all children from vaccine-preventable diseases. When more kids have immunity, it is harder for contagious diseases to spread. These declines in kindergarten coverage and increases in exemptions are problematic for many reasons. An article in the AP, provides an informative interpretation of the data and also potential implications.

In addition to the AAP, Voices for Vaccines, Vaccinate Your Family, and Immunize.org are additional sources of credible, evidence-based information about HPV vaccination and other childhood vaccines. For HPV vaccination, the following resources are available to support your efforts.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital stjude.org/PreventHPV
American Cancer Society (ACS) cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/HPV
ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable hpvroundtable.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cdc.gov/HPV/vaccines

If you have questions, ask us at PreventHPV@stjude.org. We are committed to providing timely updates and supporting science and evidence-based vaccination.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month: Back-to-School Resources

The back-to-school time period is one for which many children are having check-ups and getting vaccinations before going back to school. August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) and highlights the power of vaccinations in protecting health at every stage of life. Staying current on recommended vaccinations is one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illnesses and safeguard the well-being of our families and communities. Put these vaccination resources to use this month and throughout the year.

Public Health Success Story
Vaccinations have played a critical role in eliminating or controlling life-threatening diseases like smallpox and polio. They also help protect against illnesses such as measles, whooping cough, the flu, shingles, and HPV cancers, saving lives and reducing hospitalizations every year.

Protection for All Ages
Whether you're caring for an infant, sending kids back to school, managing chronic conditions as an adult, or navigating pregnancy, vaccinations are tailored to each life stage. NIAM encourages everyone to check their vaccination status and get protected.

Community-Wide Protection
Vaccinations not only protect the person receiving them, but also help reduce the spread of disease, especially to those who are more vulnerable, such as newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Easy Access to Vaccine Information
Trusted sources like CDC, AAP, Voices for Vaccines, Vaccinate Your Family, provide up-to-date guidance on vaccination recommendations, schedules, and how to get vaccinated. These resources make it simple to stay informed and take action. For HPV vaccination, the following additional resources are available to support your efforts.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital stjude.org/PreventHPV
American Cancer Society (ACS) cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/HPV
ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable hpvroundtable.org

Back-to-School Ready
August is the perfect time for families to review school-required vaccinations and ensure children are ready for a healthy start to the new academic year. Use these back-to-school resources to spread the good news about safe, effective vaccinations. Voices for Vaccines content for back-to-school includes a calendar, graphics, and sample social media posts for the month. Make vaccine conversations easier this school year. Check out Unity Consortium’s newly updated Back-To-School page to guide and support teens, parents, and health care providers with checklists, vaccine resources, and more.

Choosing HPV Vaccination: Parents Share Their Stories

When it comes to our children’s health, every parent wants to make the best, most informed decisions possible. For these families across the country, choosing HPV vaccination was about more than just following a medical recommendation. It was about ensuring their children have an HPV cancer free future and protecting their kids from preventable cancers. Review our July Path to Prevention newsletter for more HPV vaccination parent stories here.

"Before her 11-year wellness check, I was nervous about how our pediatrician would react to our decision. Vaccinations can be a sensitive topic, but I was relieved when he not only supported it but strongly encouraged it. His affirmation confirmed we were doing the right thing. Protecting my daughter’s long-term health with one proactive step felt empowering. It brought peace of mind and gave her the best start toward a cancer-free future. Choosing the HPV vaccine wasn’t just a medical decision—it was an act of love, and one I’d make again without hesitation.”

“We chose the HPV vaccine for our children because friends and family were diagnosed with HPV cancers before a vaccine was available. Learning there was a safe, effective way to prevent these cancers made the decision easy. We follow our trusted pediatrician’s guidance to keep our kids safe, and this was no exception. All our children began the HPV vaccine series at their 11-year well-child visits. We schedule annual summer checkups to ensure they’re up to date before school starts. We’re grateful our kids have the chance to be protected against HPV cancers—it’s peace of mind every parent deserves.”

“When our provider first mentioned the HPV vaccine, I asked to wait a year so I could research it. I didn’t know much about it, and the idea of my tween being sexually active felt uncomfortable. At our next visit, I talked more with the provider. She shared that both of her children—who my son knows—had received the vaccine. That made me feel more at ease. Jack got his first dose at 12 and his second at 13 during annual well checks. I learned it’s important to vaccinate all children—not just girls—before they become sexually active for best protection.”

Improving Rural HPV Vaccination Coverage

Join the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program for our next Preventing HPV Cancers with Rural Communities Updates and Opportunities meetings on August 20 and November 20 (National Rural Health Day). Meetings are from noon-1 p.m. Central Time. Register here.

To learn more, 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 vaccination coverage efforts. Read the latest rural quarterly communication from May here.

St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program Launches New National Campaign Updates with Rural-focused Resources and Content
St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program’s national public awareness campaign "Their Future is in Your Hands" has re-launched to include a focus on rural communities. The online resource now features rural-specific HPV vaccination resources, messages, and materials tailored for health professionals, partners, and communities working to prevent HPV cancers in rural America. These tools aim to address the unique challenges and strengths in rural settings while equipping users with evidence-based strategies and sharable content. Access the campaign at stjude.org/PreventHPV and rural content directly here.

Close-Knit, Far-Reaching: Harnessing the Strengths of Rural Communities to Prevent HPV Cancers Through HPV Vaccination, October 16, 2025

As part of our ongoing series, Empowering and Strengthening Community, Culture, and Connection to Prevent HPV Cancers, we will hold the sixth seminar in this series on October 16 from 10-11:15 a.m. Central Time. The seminar will explore differences in HPV vaccination and HPV cancers within and across sub-groups present in rural communities and will explore actionable strategies to prevent HPV cancers by addressing the unique barriers faced by rural communities. Through the lens of rural intersectionality, participants will examine how geography, race, ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status intersect to influence HPV vaccination access and outcomes in rural communities. The session will highlight approaches to advance equal access to health care, strengthen culturally responsive communication, and equip public health professionals with tools to close gaps in HPV cancer prevention across rural landscapes. Stay tuned for more information and register to attend here.

Wide Open Spaces:
Supporting HPV Vaccination with Rural Communities

The Power of Prevention: "HPV Doesn’t Wait – Why Should You?"

Nebraska is a predominantly rural state, with 27% of its population living in rural areas, well above the national average. Of the state's 93 counties, 61 are entirely rural, and many more are mostly rural. Compounding this, 69 counties are designated as primary care health professional shortage areas, creating significant barriers to health care access, including vaccinations. Although HPV vaccination is a proven, life-saving tool, increasing awareness and addressing rural-specific challenges are essential to improving vaccination rates and protecting Nebraska communities. Every Nebraskan deserves a shot at prevention.

Read the full article here.

About the Author:
Laura Schabloske,MA is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Cancer Coalition. She began her career in the for-profit sector and has transformed her private sector skills working in health care to help both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She is an expert at helping to identify and work through the challenges facing businesses in developing strategy and sustainability plans, creating systems as well as honing development and operational efficiencies and processes. Her for-profit background in health care administration transitioned into her consulting practice supporting many medical, public-health practices and associations. She has been a trusted advisor to over 90 organizations. She has served as a board member with numerous non-profits and universities.

Tamara Robinson, MS, is the Program Director of the Nebraska Cancer Coalition, bringing over two decades of health care experience from both clinical and public health sectors. A Nebraska native who grew up on a rural farm, she's deeply committed to supporting diverse populations. In her current role, Tamara has been instrumental in implementing quality improvement programs for cancer prevention and screenings (including breast, colorectal, and HPV), as well as initiatives focused on cancer survivorship and quality of life. She's also led the development of statewide cancer workgroups, educational events, webinars, and public awareness campaigns. Thanks to her strong relationship-building skills, she's fostered an extensive network of health care partners across Nebraska and nationally.

HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast

The HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast includes people and partners from 12 states and two jurisdictions across the Southeastern U.S. with the goal of improving HPV vaccination coverage to protect against HPV cancers.

The Southeast Roundtable will host several exciting opportunities throughout the remainder of the year. We look forward to your participation!

Visit the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast website at stjude.org/southeast-roundtable. Join us as a member of the Southeast Roundtable here to receive the latest information about the Southeast Roundtable. Read the latest Southeast Roundtable quarterly communication from July here.

Communication: Develop and implement a communication campaign and messages for the Southeastern region

It’s Our Way Down South is the communication campaign developed by implementation team members for those across the Southeastern region. Over 90 campaign access requests from 30 states and jurisdictions have been fulfilled in addition to print materials requests.

The communication implementation team is hosting drop-in office hours on a monthly cadence to support use of the It’s Our Way Down South campaign. If scheduled office hours do not work, please email PreventHPV@stjude.org to schedule a different time. The next drop-in office hours will be held August 27, noon – 1 p.m. Central Time. Join here.

Please share any photos of campaign materials distributed in-person by emailing PreventHPV@stjude.org.

Elimination: Develop and disseminate a plan for HPV cancer elimination in the Southeast, beginning with cervical cancer, as a public health concern

Join us for the virtual launch of the Southeast U.S. Call to Action and Toolkit: Elimination of HPV Cancers as a Public Health Concern on September 9, 2025, 10 a.m. - noon Central Time. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from implementation team members about the elimination priority action area, the development of the plan and toolkit, and existing efforts and opportunities to eliminate HPV cancers across the Southeast. Register here.

The implementation team will also host Celebrating Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action: Elimination of HPV Cancers in the Southeast U.S., November 18, 10 a.m. – noon Central Time. Join us to hear from subject matter experts about their efforts to eliminate HPV cancers across the Southeast region. Register here.

Learn more about eliminating HPV cancers, starting with cervical cancer, as a public health concern here.

Start at Age 9 and Other Best Practices: Accelerate efforts to start HPV vaccination at age 9
There are two exciting events being planned by the implementation team in the coming months, including:

HPV Vaccination Age Forecasting in State Immunization Information Systems (IIS) in the Southeast Training

August 14, 2025, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Central Time
This seminar highlights collaborative efforts of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, the American Cancer Society, and the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) to develop an interactive map that illustrates the age recommendation for HPV vaccination across U.S. states according to the
Immunization Information System (IIS).

This training will feature Nadja Vielot, PhD, Donoria Evans, PhD, and Kristy Westfall. Register here.

Quarterly Start HPV Vaccination at Age 9 - Case Study Meeting

September 25, 2025, 1 – 2:15 p.m. Central Time

The first quarterly case study meeting is in the initial planning process. This event, presented by the Southeast Roundtable’s Start at Age 9 & Other Best Practices implementation team, will focus on an overview of age 9 case studies and recommendations. Future sessions will be held quarterly, highlighting unique case studies to share learnings from age 9 implementation efforts from across the Southeast region. Anyone who is interested in participating can register here.

Cancer Survivor Story: I Survived Cervical Cancer, Now My Kids Are Protected

Michelle Whitlock is an award-winning author, coach, speaker, and advocate for women’s health. She leads a sales team in the med-tech space. Her memoir, How I Lost My Uterus and Found My Voice, chronicles her courageous battle with invasive cervical cancer at just 26 years old, as well as her determination to thrive after a recurrence two years later. A graduate of Columbia Union College with a bachelor’s in organizational leadership, Michelle combines her leadership skills, resilience, and survivor’s perspective to inspire and empower women across the nation.

Fueled by a passion for erasing the stigma surrounding the HPV virus and sparking conversations about gynecological cancers, Michelle has dedicated her life to educating others and helping women reclaim their health and intimacy after cancer. Her advocacy work has touched thousands, breaking down barriers and fostering a national dialogue about these critical issues.

“As a cervical cancer survivor, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact that HPV cancers can have, which is why I believe providing your child with the HPV vaccination is one of the most important decisions you can make for their future. This vaccination is about cancer prevention—plain and simple. Protecting my children, both my daughters and son, today with the HPV vaccination ensures they are more safeguarded against HPV cancers (throat, mouth, anal, vulvar, and cervical) tomorrow. It’s a small step we can take now to give them the best chance at a healthy future.”

Learn more about her story here.

The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (OCOE) at the University of Alabama, Birmingham O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center is committed to improving cancer outcomes across Alabama, with a strong focus on medically underserved communities. Through education, access, and outreach, OCOE addresses disparities by empowering individuals with cancer prevention and survivorship knowledge, particularly for high-burden cancers.

One of OCOE’s flagship programs is Preventing HPV Cancers, a community-based initiative aimed at increasing HPV vaccination rates. The program uses a theory-driven approach, offering parent-focused education sessions led by local coordinators, helping families make informed decisions and access vaccination services. To date, the program has reached over 30 parents and facilitated vaccination appointments for more than 60 children across four counties. Notably, several teens have joined the initiative as student Community Health Advisors, amplifying its impact. They have been a long-time partner, working closely with health care providers and nonprofits, and actively participating in the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Southeast Roundtable since 2021.

“OCOE’s partnership with the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Team and HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast has been key to the development of the Preventing HPV Cancers program, and to adopting evidence-based strategies to increase HPV vaccination among Alabama communities.”

Rochelle Wallace, Health Initiatives Manager, leads HPV education efforts by developing resources and programming that connect families to vaccination and screening services. Silvia Camata, a public health nurse and program director, works to ensure local access to screenings and vaccinations by building partnerships tailored to each county’s needs.

Advice to Parents about the HPV Vaccination

“As a mother and grandmother, I know what it means to want the best for your children. You want the best of everything for them, especially their health. As a community health educator, I know there have been years of research poured into the HPV vaccination, testing its efficacy and safety. With that awareness, I would advise other parents and caregivers to talk with their health care provider, and ask questions, but understand that the HPV vaccination has been proven to be safe and effective in protecting against six different cancers. We now have an opportunity to provide our children and future generations with something older generations did not have, literally “a shot that can prevent cancer.” I encourage parents to view the HPV vaccination for what we know it is, what it means for their future. Understand that the HPV vaccination literally is cancer prevention and talk with your health care provider to get your child the HPV vaccination.”- Rochelle Wallace

Rural HPV Vaccination Learning Community Series, Next Session is August 13

Join the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable this summer as we turn up the volume on the HPV vaccination outreach with a powerful three- part-series- part of the Rural HPV Vaccination Learning Community- designed to equip you with bold, effective communication strategies to increase HPV vaccination in rural communities. The next session will be held on August 13, from 2 p.m.- 3 p.m. Eastern Time “Facts Over Fear: Busting HPV Vaccine Myths”. Register here.

HPV Vaccination Promising Practices Series: Cancer Prevention with Bold Innovation, Next Session is

August 27
The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable (HPVRT) are inviting health professionals to learn about the latest evidence-based practices to improve HPV vaccination among adolescents aged 9–13 nationwide. Join us for this informative quarterly series! The next session will be held on August 27, 2025, from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Eastern Time. Register here.

HPV Cancer Free Georgia Workgroup Webinar, Access July 16 Recording
The Georgia Cancer Control Consortium (GC3) HPV Cancer Free Georgia workgroup held its HPV Awareness Day 2025 Webinar, “HPV is Common, but HPV-related Cancers Don’t Have to Be: Immunize Today” on July 16. The webinar recording can be found on the Georgia HPV Cancer Free YouTube channel here. The next HPV workgroup meeting will be held on Thursday, August 14. For more information, visit Emory HPV Cancer Free Georgia.

North Carolina Immunization Coalition Meets August 12

The North Carolina Immunization Coalition (NCIC) will hold its next meeting on August 12 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Updates from the NCIC HPV Task Force will be shared. For more information, visit https://letsimmunizenc.org/.

2025 Carolinas Cancer Conference, August 15-17
The 2025 Carolinas Cancer Conference, hosted by South Carolina Oncology Society (SCOS) and North Carolina Oncology Association (NCOA), invites colleagues for three days of impactful learning and collaboration on August 15-17 in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. This event combines cutting-edge education with opportunities to connect and share insights on the future of cancer care. Experience the coastal beauty of the Wild Dunes Resort while enjoying a family-friendly environment. Don’t miss out—save the date and register today to start planning your trip!

Leading Virginian Public Health and Medical Organizations Release Joint Statement on Upholding Scientific Integrity in Vaccine Policy
In response to many of the budget and policy changes happening at the federal level, ImmunizeVA has put forth a statement in conjunction with 14 other medical and public health organizations in Virginia reaffirming their unwavering commitment to upholding scientific integrity in vaccination policies. The Joint Statement on Evidence-Based Vaccine Science reasserts their commitment to science-backed immunization practices and calls on all Virginians to rely on trusted, credible sources for vaccination information. Read the Joint Statement on Evidence-Based Vaccine Science.

West Virginia Launches New HPV Best Practices Implementation Project
West Virginia’s (WV) cancer coalition, Mountains of Hope (MOH), in partnership with the American Cancer Society, the WV Immunization Network, and the WV Primary Care Association, kicked off a new project to help clinics increase HPV vaccination rates through the use of evidence-based interventions. MOH staff will provide technical assistance to health care clinics through provider training, small media creation and printing, implementation planning, and evaluation planning. Participating clinics will be asked to identify at least two evidence-based best practices from the project menu to include in their implementation plan. View project media resources here or contact MOH’s coalition manager at mountainsofhopewv@gmail.com for more information.

Aetna Better Health of West Virginia HPV Provider Education Awareness Webinars
Aetna Better Health of West Virginia invites primary health care professionals and staff to a webinar aimed at HPV vaccination confidence and addressing vaccination hesitancy among parents and care givers. They have partnered with Merck to present this education opportunity entitled From Awareness to Action: Increasing HPV Vaccination Rates led by pediatrician Alix Casler, MD, FAAP, Vaccines Regional Medical Director. The presentation and discussion will be grounded in evidence-based research and will provide a comprehensive review of available data and strategies. Register for an available webinar date here.

Special Thanks to our Summer Interns!

On behalf of the entire HPV Cancer Prevention Program team, we extend our heartfelt thanks to each of our summer interns for their dedication, enthusiasm, and meaningful contributions over the past few months. Their passion for public health, commitment to cancer prevention, and eagerness to learn have made a lasting impact on our work and the communities we serve. Whether through research, outreach, education, or behind-the-scenes support, their efforts have strengthened our mission and brought fresh energy to our program. We are truly grateful for their time and talents, and we look forward to seeing the great things they' will accomplish in their future endeavors.

Fifth Annual Meeting of the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable, September 23
We are excited to announce that registration for the 5th Annual Meeting of the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable is now open Continuing the theme of HPV Vaccination in Full Bloom we reflect our commitment to advancing HPV cancer prevention in our community. The meeting will take place on September 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the campus of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Join us for a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Register here to reserve your spot. To learn more about the Memphis Roundtable, please visit stjude.org/memphis-roundtable. Read the Memphis Roundtable July e-communication here.

August 15 is National Relaxation Day. This day was created to remind people to take a break and prioritize relaxation and self-care. The HPV Cancer Prevention Program team members share their favorite form of self-care.

“I find it hard to relax because there is always something to “do”, but when I need to relax, I order some food and ask my kids to pick an old Disney Channel movie for us to watch together.” - Julia Brown, program manager

“Relaxation to me is subject to the weather. On sunny days relaxation looks like going to the park and having a sweet treat. Whereas, on a rainy day, staying in and turning on a movie is always my go to. It allows me to take a break from the stressful demands of transitioning from undergrad to grad programs.” - Morgan Moore, summer intern

“Taking walks is my favorite form of self-care because it gives me time to clear my mind and reconnect with my surroundings. Whether it's a quick stroll or a longer walk, it always helps me feel grounded and recharged.” - Penelope Burns, summer intern

“Going to bed early! It’s a luxury that is hard to make time for when balancing school and work—but nothing is better than getting some extra Zzz's.” - Savannah Kilgore, summer intern

“I love a good nap and winding down with a great TV series alongside my family. It’s the perfect way for me to relax while also enjoying meaningful quality time with the people I love.” – Portia Knowlton, program coordinator

“For me, it’s often difficult to find time for relaxation, especially since I am usually busy with my toddler outside of regular work hours. But my toddler loves to help, and we enjoy baking together, which brings me joy. I also spend time reading storybooks with my toddler.” - Pragya Gautam Poudel, postdoctoral fellow

“I enjoy long solo walks in the park to relax.” – Karlisa Cryer, medical content writer

“Gardening helps me relax.” - Ursula Leflore, senior administrative coordinator

“My favorite way to practice self-care and relaxation is to spend time outside. I love going for walks and listening to a good podcast.” – Maddy McNee, program coordinator

“My favorite form of self-care is exploring new places and experiences. It recharges me through fresh perspective, feeds my wanderlust, and helps me reconnect with myself outside of routine.” – Nicole Williams, program coordinator

“My go-to form of self-care is either taking a midday walk outside or relaxing by the pool and reading a book on my Kindle. I also enjoy taking myself out for a solo date to try new restaurants in the area.” – Samantha Wells, program coordinator

“Spending quality time with my friends and family is a key part of my self-care. Their presence and laughter galvanize me, helping me feel recharged and balanced.” – Andrea Stubbs, administrative director

“My favorite form of self-care is sleeping. My mom always says I sleep 16 hours a day and spend the other 8 at work.” – Akeria Taylor, program coordinator

“I like to exercise, read, watch TV, travel, and spend time with family and friends to relax.”- Heather Brandt, director

Get Free St. Jude HPV Education Materials

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program has created a series of HPV fact sheets that emphasize basic information about HPV vaccination and include action steps to prevent HPV cancers.

Four versions of the fact sheets target various audiences:

General public
Parents
Health care providers
Cancer patients and families
College students
Faith community

Select the versions in English or Spanish most appropriate for those you serve. Download the fact sheets or email PreventHPV@stjude.org to have copies mailed to you.

Access resources for childhood cancer survivors at stjude.org/SurvivorProud.

About St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. That’s why St. Jude is raising awareness on HPV vaccination, which can prevent six types of cancer caused by the virus. 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 reduce their risk of preventable cancers later in life.

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program envisions a world free of HPV cancers. Through education, promoting best practice models, and strategic partner engagement, its mission is to increase on-time HPV vaccination. On-time HPV vaccination by the 13th birthday provides safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against the most common types of HPV linked to cancers.

Learn more at stjude.org/HPV. Email PreventHPV@stjude.org with any questions.