"I was young, healthy and in a long-term relationship when I learned two years ago that I was infected with HPV which can cause cervical cancer. Within a month, I had to undergo surgery to remove precancerous cells."
That's the thing about HPV - it has no signs or symptoms, so most people don't even realize they have it. "I probably had it for years and didn't even know it," MaryBeth confesses. "I was fortunate - my case of HPV was diagnosed early."
MaryBeth is an architect by day, a musician by night and the Founder of a nonprofit organization, Concerts for a Cure. She is using her experience with HPV as inspiration to educate others, making sure they are armed with information about HPV and how to prevent it. Since its debut, Concerts for a Cure has raised over $10,000, obtained major corporate sponsors and has sky rocketed to the national level.
Concerts for a Cure is an annual benefit concert aimed at raising awareness for HPV. She says, "I created my nonprofit corporation because of the intense emotions I experienced due to my lack of knowledge. I hope to educate others so they won't experience those same emotions."
Most women - and men - do know not the facts surrounding HPV and its link to cervical cancer and genital warts. The reality is that 80% of all sexually active men and women will test positive for HPV by age 50. Advocates, like MaryBeth, are taking it on themselves to educate the public and help eradicate the stigmas that are attached to this disease.
"I've always wanted to do something that was bigger than me," she confided. "What better way than to use my talents and help other people."
MaryBeth and Concerts for a Cure has been featured on Philly’s NBC 10! show, on 95.7 WBEN FM and she has been featured in February 2008 issues of Glamour, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Shape magazines. Her [nonprofit's] goal is to assist with testing, vaccination, education and/or other programs for those with little or no health insurance. In the future, if funding permits, they would like to extend this contribution to organizations that work with 3rd world countries where that need is so great.
For more information on MaryBeth Hammer, her upcoming events or to make a donation to Concerts for a Cure, please visit her website: http://concertscure.org.
