Illinois women launch fight against cervical cancer

Springfield, IL

Kyla Travis wants to give hope to women battling cervical cancer. At 28, she had just given birth to her son when she was diagnosed with the disease.
Photos

Cervical cancer survivor Kyla Travis of Springfield, 50, left, urges on woman attending a cervical cancer awareness seminar at Hilton Garden Inn, after receiving a gift from Ann Locke, right, an AmeriCorps coordinator following Travis' sharing of her personal story on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008. Jonathan Kirshner/The State Journal-Register

“I was very fortunate. They caught it in the early stages. ... I had my cervix removed, and I was cured,” she said. “I was blessed. The follow-up showed no signs of cancer, and it hasn’t come back. I want to help other people survive.”
The 50-year-old Springfield resident was one of approximately 30 women who met Wednesday to launch the Illinois Women Against Cervical Cancer Program. Its goal is to eliminate cervical cancer by having trained advocates educate women.

The Urban Leagues of Springfield, Tri-County (Peoria) and Champaign County will lead the first phase of the program, which is being funded by the Illinois Public Health Association and the Illinois Department of Public Health Center for Minority Health Services.

The IPHA received a $50,000 grant from Merck & Co. Pharmaceuticals, manufacturers of the new Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine, that was matched by the state.

“We think that’s sufficient to do the demonstration project in the three cities,” said Jim Nelson, executive director of the IPHA.

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