By John Brice
Correspondent
Local residents were made aware of a new educational initiative by the Chambers County School District to reduce cases of cervical cancer in the area through a press release announcing a meeting that took place on Wednesday, October 11th of 2023. Gathering at the Board of Education building in LaFayette, the community leaders in attendance included Superintendent Casey Chambley, Lead Nurse Karla Anthony, Curriculum and K-8 Director Dr. Sheila Jones, Eastside Elementary/J.P. Powell Middle School Nurse Sarah Bryan, Together for Health Executive Director Dr. Heather White, Dr. Isabel Scarinci from the UAB Division of Preventive Medicine, Career and Technical Education Health Sciences Instructor Jennifer Williams, LaFayette Rotary Club Representative Dr. Butch Busby, Inspire Academy Principal Troy Kelley, Career Technical Director Dr. Tyler Nelson, Sellers Wanni from UAB and Assistant Superintendent David Owen.
Describing the nature of the new venture in a press release, the CCSD stated that it “is excited to be taking a forefront in leadership to build a multi-channel communication campaign to help eliminate cervical cancer across the district. CCSD Superintendent, Dr. Casey Chambley is thrilled to see the District’s partnership with Operation Wipeout continue to grow with this outreach to support Chambers County. This effort of cooperation resulted with a grant of funding secured from the National Cancer Institute.”
It went on to continue “The school district collaborated with Operation Wipeout partners to secure the grant to provide education and leadership training for our health science students in the career technical program. Students in the health sciences curriculum will be empowered to lead efforts to raise awareness for local efforts to eliminate cervical cancer here in Chambers County. The team of local stakeholders below met for nearly three hours today to plan next steps for the CCSD efforts.”
According to the description on the official Operation Wipe Out website, their organization “is an initiative aimed at eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama by raising awareness about HPV and cervical cancer prevention and facilitating access to HPV vaccination, screening, follow-up, and treatment if needed. The project launched in Chambers County, Alabama in November 2021. Chambers County was chosen as a priority due to its high rate of cervical cancer disease in the state. Over time, the project plans to expand to additional counties across Alabama.”
This new educational venture comes on the heels of the previous month of September having been designated “Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month”. One local event marking the occasion featured a visit from gynecologic oncologist Dr. Kerri Bevis as well as other physicians from the Spencer Cancer Center to the Chambers County Health and Wellness Center in LaFayette on September 9th where they educated attendees on the risk factors, warning signs and preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of gynecologic cancer.