CCSD Host Cervical Cancer Outreach

The production team pictured above partnering to produce this documentary filmed in part here in Chambers County included the following:  CCSD Lead Nurse, Loretta Cofield, Evie Parks (Conquering Cancer – Cinematographer via Australia), CCSD Superintendent, Dr. Casey Chambley, Dr. Donald H. “Butch” Busby (LaFayette Rotary Club – Operation Wipeout Lead), Sue Collins (Conquering Cancer – Presenter via Australia), Mike Hill (Conquering Cancer – Film Maker via Australia), Dr. Heather White, Executive Director – “Together for Health”, and Sara Bowler, Technical Advisor – TogetHER for Health.

The CCSD is pleased to share its ongoing efforts in collaborating with multiple partners as part of Operation Wipe Out, to promote both vaccinations and screening for cervical cancer in Alabama.  

On Tuesday, April 4th, the district hosted visitors working with Conquering Cancer.  Conquering Cancer is a global impact campaign designed to create a feature-length documentary on the ongoing fight to eliminate cervical cancer.  The team producing the documentary came to visit Chambers County from Australia. Conquering Cancer is an initiative established in 2020 to support the global health push to eliminate cervical cancer.  Supporters believe that through sharing positive cancer stories the campaign has the potential to support the control of cervical cancer in the future.

The team of visitors to Chambers County is committed to creating a U.S. version of their documentary specifically designed for the local market.   Stories in the proposed documentary will highlight efforts being made in Alabama to eliminate cervical cancer.   This particular documentary will be released on streaming services, in cinemas, and on educational platforms as well as being shared by advocacy organizations.  Plans are currently being made to see the final documentary released in July of 2023.    

The Chambers County School District was initially contacted in the summer of 2022 by leadership from the LaFayette Rotary Club.  After initial meetings, the district was connected with Operation Wipe Out. The CCSD met with a representative from Operation Wipe Out at the Back to School Bash hosted in LaFayette and then they were invited to speak to all staff at the district institute day on Tuesday, August 2nd.   Upon speaking at the district’s institute, the system’s Lead Nurse, Mrs. Loretta Cofield invited them for a more in-depth conversation with the CCSD nurses who were in a training session that afternoon. 

The efforts made by the LaFayette Rotary Club to partner with the CCSD focused on disseminating the message to eradicate cervical cancer in Chambers County.  Data studies reported that the state of Alabama has the third highest rate of cervical cancer in the United States and that Chambers County has the highest rate of cervical cancer in the state itself.  The primary cause of cervical cancer is the HPV virus, for which there is a vaccine recommended for boys and girls ages 9-12 as the priority group and catch-up for teens 13-18 years of age.  The campaign's focus is to raise awareness and provide additional education to both families and students alike.  The CCSD was committed to joining the partnership efforts to do all it could to improve the health of our citizens here in Chambers County.  

The Operation Wipeout collaborative effort continued to grow after the start of school with a strong partnership fostered through the efforts of the LaFayette Rotary Club.  Other partners joining forces included the Rotary Club of Birmingham, The Alabama Department of Public Health, Auburn University (led by Dr. Hollie Cost, Assistant Vice-President for University Outreach and Public Service and Dr. Linda Gibson-Young, Outreach Coordinator for the College of Nursing), “Together for Health” (led by Dr. Heather White, Executive Director), Quality of Life Services, UAB Dept. of Gynecology & Obstetrics (led by Dr. Isabel C. Scarinci, Vice Chair for Global and Rural Health), UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, and The Chambers County School District (led by Superintendent Dr. Casey Chambley and Lead Nurse, Loretta Cofield).  

Cervical Cancer is caused by the HPV virus, but cancer can be prevented through HPV screening and HPV vaccination.  It is a disease that most commonly affects the unscreened or particularly those in poverty.  Operation Wipeout partners seek to connect adolescents and women in Alabama to services, including vaccination, screening, follow-up, and treatment.  The vaccine was approved in 2006, with 80 million doses distributed across the USA by 2017.  In addition, women can be screened at no cost through the Alabama Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection program.  

Dr. Chambley stated:  "The Chambers County School District is proud to join efforts with Operation Wipe Out as well as partner with other community stakeholders to help eliminate cervical cancer in women.  Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer for women and we feel it is critically important to help our parents and students get access to information and services for their own health and wellbeing."  The CCSD is committed to this initiative to partner in this joint goal to eliminate cervical cancer.  

Every year across the world, 600,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and half of them lose their lives.  Dr. Chambley encourages everyone across Chambers County to visit the site for Conquering Cancer and watch the trailer to help support the effort to “Rise Up” and eliminate cervical cancer. https://conqueringcancercampaign.com/