Contact:
Alison A. Hewitt
CHD16MediaRequests@flhealth.gov

904-253-2276

Jacksonville, Florida— The Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) is partnering with WJCT to host a special screening of Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic followed by a panel discussion on March 1, 2018 at WJCT Studios in Jacksonville.

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is a widespread, misunderstood, and potentially dangerous epidemic that most people hardly know anything about. Someone You Love reveals just how dangerous this virus can be, causing six different types of cancers in both men and women. Following five brave women who were infected with HPV and developed cervical cancer, the film also includes interviews with some of the world’s top experts on the most common sexually transmitted infection in humans: HPV.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to engage the community in this critical conversation. In 2016 Duval County, 20 women died from cervical cancer in 2016,” said Dr. Kelli Wells, Deputy Secretary for the Florida Department of Health and Director of DOH-Duval. “Cervical cancer is almost exclusively caused by HPV, but it is also a highly preventable and treatable cancer. HPV also causes certain types of cancer in men. The HPV vaccine protects against cancers caused by HPV infection, yet only about Florida parents choose to get the vaccine for their child. This conversation can save lives.”

Screening 

March 1, 2018
WJCT Studios
100 Festival Park Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Showtime: 5.45 p.m.

Panelists 

Kelli Wells, MD

Deputy Secretary for the Florida Department of Health and Director of DOH-Duval

Matt Robertson, MD

Gynecologic Oncologist, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville

Russell Smith, MD, FACS

Head and Neck Surgical Oncologist, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center

Charlotte R. Clark-Rowe

Chapter leader of the National Cervical Cancer Coalition Florida in Jacksonville

About Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic 

“I wish the cancer would have killed you!” These are the chilling words of Susie’s husband when he learned that her cancer was caused by HPV, a sexually transmitted virus. Narrated by Vanessa Williams, this poignant documentary takes a look into the lives of five women affected by HPV, the widely misunderstood and controversial virus that causes several types of cancer, including cervical. Each of these women has an intimate story to tell. For Susie, Tamika and Christine, it’s a story of survivorship that comes with misconceptions, stigma, shame, heartbreak, pain and triumph. For the Forbes’ family, it’s about coping with the loss of their daughter Kristen and trying to prevent it from happening to others like her. Others like Kelly began her cancer journey at 31 years old. The cameras follow Kelly on her epic battle to save her marriage, her career, her family and ultimately, her life. 80 percent of all people under 50 years of age will have a strain of the virus at some point in their lives and most will not even realize they have it. Cervical cancer is almost exclusively caused by HPV and is the 2nd leading cancer in women. Worldwide, cervical cancer kills over 250,000 women every year.

Runtime:  Approximately 80 minutes 

Official Website & Trailer:www.hpvepidemic.com

Directed and edited by: Frederic Lumiere

Written by: Mark Hefti

Cast: Vanessa Williams, Kelly Pozzoli, Kristen Forbes, Tamika Felder, Christine Baze, Susie Carillo.

About the Florida Department of Health 

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.