Adventures in Louisville: My Cervivor School Weekend Recap Part 1

Good morning, y'all!

As anticipated, Cervivor School Louisville was amazing. We learned lots of medical information, as well as discussions about advocacy, what advocacy means to each of us and how we can advocate effectively. It was a truly incredible weekend that ended way too quickly. So much happened (we carried on an unofficial Cervivor School tradition, and I met a blog reader!) that I have decided to break my recap up into multiple posts. This is part one.

On Friday, August 19, 2016, I boarded a plane in DC headed straight for Louisville. Those who know me, know that I do not travel well. I get panic attacks as soon as I wait for the car service to arrive. But I managed to make it through security, to the gate, and on to the plane without anything more than a little sweat and some shaking. For me, that's a win!

When the plane landed in Louisville, and I turned my phone back on, I had texts from sweet Erica offering to pick me up. We had appointments to get tattoos (a sort of unofficial Cervivor School tradition), so she swung by and got me, and we headed across the river into New Albany, Indiana. We picked up some last minute supplies, stopped for some really good pizza, and made our way to Bananafish Tattoo Parlour.

We were both tattooed by an awesome chick named Alexis. Erica went first, because she had to leave early to go do a walk through of the conference room that Cervivor School would be held in. She got a moon and three stars. I got an elephant in memory of my #cancerbestie Melissa.Here's Erica describing the meaning behind her tattoo:

After my tattoo was done, I hopped in an Uber and managed to make it back to the hotel we were staying at, the Galt House just in time to change and head out to the restaurant for the welcome dinner. The other ladies had been on a scavenger hunt, a team bonding experience, looking for Louisville landmarks, something teal, a cancer survivor, and a medical professional. Dinner was at a restaurant called BirraCibo, and it was so delicious! We also listened to a speaker from Advaxis, Kimberly Dorney, about immunotherapy treatment that Advaxis is designing so that your body's own immune system can fight off cancer. 

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel, and some of us got together in the bar on the third floor, that connects the two towers. We didn't stay too late, as we had an early and long day on Saturday: Cervivor School speakers from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm, and then the Pap Rally and Run from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. It was going to be a long day, or so we thought...

xoxo Jennie

Stay tuned for Part 2...

Cervivor School Is Almost Here!

Hey y'all!

I know I keep talking about this, but I am just so excited! This will be my 3rd time going, and every time it's different. I learn more, I meet new and wonderful women, and I get more energized about advocacy. We have the ability to be the last generation of women who suffer from this horrible disease, thanks to the HPV vaccine. It is so important to get your daughters AND you sons vaccinated so we can stop HPV and HPV related cancers; cancers like penile, anal, and head and neck cancers - those affect men! It's not just about the cervix anymore.

Friday I will board a plane for Louisville, KY. We'll have two and a half days of fun and education, laughter and tears. It's emotional for sure. But you come away with a deeper understanding of your disease, and what you can do to help prevent it in others. It could be as simple as talking to people about your experience and the HPV vaccine (hi Merk!), or as involved as lobbying your state government. Everything we do makes a difference in some way.

Saturday, Cervivor is bringing back the Pap Rally and Run! We are raising money to help keep Cervivor doing what it does best, helping women with HPV, cervical cancer, and survivors. You can donate to my team by clicking here. I'm walking not only for Cervivor, but to honor my cancer bestie, Melissa, who lost her life way too soon. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her, and I try to honor her life (which she lived to the fullest) in anyway I can. The Pap Rally and Run won't just be about running (or if you're like me, walking) - there will be a DJ, and lots of fun stuff. If you are in the New Albany, IN area, come out! You don't have to register, just come and enjoy the fun. And see me in a tutu :)

Kentucky women with HPV, cervical cancer, and survivors, you can attend this Cervivor School for FREE! If you are interested, you need to register ASAP, and use the code FReE when registering.

The thing I'm most excited about is seeing my Cervivor sisters. Some I have known for years online but never met, and some I see only infrequently. I am excited to meet the women I've never met before! We always have a blast - we are NOT a reserved group by any means!

My awesome friend Erica and I are doing a little something special when I get in on Friday - kind of a Cervivor School tradition. But more on that later.

I'll be spending the week trying to get ready while managing my household, and going to my 50,000,000 doctors appointments. I've been in remission for two years, but cancer leaves you with certain "gifts." But I can't complain too much - I'M A CERVIVOR!

xoxoxo Jennie

Exciting Upcoming Cervivor Events!

Hey y'all!

So Cervivor is having two super exciting events coming up in the next two weeks! You know that I love, love, LOVE Cervivor! It has changed the way I view myself as a woman with HPV and as a cervical cancer survivor. Instead of being ashamed about having an STI, or being too embarrassed to talk about my lady parts, I now talk about them all the time! And I can't thank Tamika for giving me the courage and knowledge to speak out about my experience and to advocate for the HPV vaccine. One of Cervivor's goals is for this to be the last generation of women to suffer from HPV related cervical cancer. And how do we do this?

Cervivor School!

Cervivor School is open to all women living with HPV, who have cervical cancer, or are cervical cancer survivors. It consists of A LOT of information about HPV, the HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer in order to empower the attendees to go out and advocate and raise awareness about HPV, the vaccine, and the connection to cervical cancer.

I know I mentioned this before, but I am so pleased to tell you that the Cervivor School in Louisville, KY August 19 - 21 is free to women in Kentucky! I really hope this will encourage more of you to attend. It is a life changing event, and we need you!

The other event is Cervivor's Pap Rally and Run on Saturday, August 20. It will be held at the Riverfront Amphitheater 201 E. Water St. New Albany, IN 47150. It's a 5k run/walk, or you can just come and hang out! There will be a DJ to provide music, and you will most likely see me in a tutu :) You can register to run/walk on your own, form a team, or even join my team! No matter what, it's going to be a blast. The Pap Rally and Run is open entirely to the public, so come on out!

For more information, please visit Cervivor's events page for more information.

I hope to see you in Louisville and New Albany soon!

xoxo Jennie