Focusing on Alana's Future: Free of HPV Cancers and Other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

My daughter, Alana, has always had a bold character and a big personality. Like most kids her age, she has big dreams for her future. As her mom, I have watched her grow through many phases and reach many milestones with the help of family, teachers, and her pediatrician. 

Protecting against HPV cancers

When Alana was 9 years old, our family made the important decision to protect Alana against human papillomavirus (HPV) cancers through a 2-dose vaccination series. 

HPV cancers can affect everyone—both men and women—and are best prevented by HPV vaccination in adolescence. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends giving the HPV vaccine (known as Gardasil^®9) to children between the ages of 9 and 12.

By the time Alana was 10 years old, she was fully vaccinated against these HPV cancers. If she had gotten the first vaccine after age 14, she would have needed 3 doses. Because she got the first vaccine when she was 9 years old, she only needed 2 doses. We could check off another milestone and remove another worry from our list of preteen health topics to talk about.

Now that Alana has started middle school, she has also received recommended vaccinations to protect against meningitis and whooping cough. She is up to date on all vaccines recommended for her age group by the AAP.

Peace of mind

I remember talking with Alana’s doctor about her vaccines.

“She’s already up to date on HPV. Now, we just have to get her ready for middle school,” her pediatrician said.  

I felt such a sense of pride. The choice to protect Alana started with me. My priority is always to do my part as her parent to keep her safe. 

With the peace of mind of a future free of HPV cancers and other vaccine-preventable diseases, I get to focus on watching her grow and develop into the person she wants to be. 

She simply gets to be herself. She gets to focus on making new friends, getting good grades at her new school, focusing on preparing for her next big role in a school theater production, and being the best big sister she can be. 

She is always planning her next Halloween costume and building her holiday wish lists. 

One day at a time

For now, she can just enjoy being a kid, take on each day 1 at a time, and think about the things she loves. She does not have to be in a hurry to grow up or take on the responsibilities that come with that. One day, when she is grown up and ready to chase her dreams, she can focus on her future without the fear of facing preventable HPV cancers.

You can also give your child a future free of HPV cancers by choosing HPV vaccination. To learn more, visit stjude.org/PreventHPV or email PreventHPV@stjude.org.

If your child is a survivor of HPV cancer, talk to your oncology care team or your health care provider about HPV vaccination. Learn more at stjude.org/survivorproud.