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Operation Wipe Out aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama by raising awareness about HPV and cervical cancer prevention and facilitating access to vaccination, screening, follow-up, and treatment.

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Since its launch, OPERATION WIPE OUT has been engaging communities and building awareness of cervical cancer prevention throughout the State. Some key milestones include:

November 2021

OPERATION WIPE OUT launches in Chambers County due to its exceptionally high burden of cervical cancer. In collaboration with the Rotary Clubs of LaFayette and Birmingham, Wipe Out partners regularly engage with leaders and educators to expand awareness and access to high-quality, affordable services in the community.

November 2021

October 2022

OPERATION WIPE OUT partners organize a two-day Cervical Cancer Summit, convening 65 primary care providers and public health leaders from across the State. The Summit provides a space for practical, evidence-based discussions that form the basis for a statewide plan to expand access to lifesaving cervical cancer prevention for women and girls in Alabama.

October 2022

May 2023

OPERATION WIPE OUT partners, led by the Alabama Department of Public Health, formally launch a statewide action plan to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama, the first such plan in the United States.

May 2023

October 2023

OPERATION WIPE OUT organizes regional meetings to encourage physicians and their clinic staff to join our efforts in eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem statewide.

October 2023

January 2024

OPERATION WIPE OUT leadership joined leaders, experts, and advocates at the Biden Cancer Moonshot’s Cervical Cancer Forum, held on January 26, 2024, at the White House.

View the video of the event

January 2024

March 2024

OPERATION WIPE OUT provided HPV vaccination at Chambers County School District in collaboration with the Chambers County School System, Rotary Club of LaFayette, and HERO through a campaign that has been developed and implemented by the high school students in the Health Science Career Technical Education program. 

Child getting vaccinated.

March 2024

May 2024

OPERATION WIPE OUT was featured in an article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Cervical Cancer Can Be Eliminated. Alabama is Leading the Way.

Read Here.

May 2024

JULY/AUGUST 2024

In partnership with the program SOWING THE SEEDS OF HEALTH and partners, OPERATION WIPE OUT provided education and access to breast and cervical cancer screening among Latina immigrants in North and Central Alabama.

women sitting around the table

JULY/AUGUST 2024

November 2024

Alabama's OPERATION WIPE OUT was featured in the International Rotary Magazine. The article featured Isabel Scarinci, a Rotarian and polio survivor, and efforts to eliminate cervical cancer through community partnerships.

Four individuals stand together, smiling, as they collaborate in the fight against cervical cancer.

November 2024

November 2024

OPERATION WIPE OUT was invited to share efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in Alabama at the International Human Papillomavirus Conference held in Scotland. Alabama's efforts resonated with countries around the world.

Icó Toth (Hungary), Nancy Wright (US), Benda Kithaka (Kenya), Bev Lawton (New Zealand) at HPV Awareness Program at IPVC 2024

November 2024

January 2025

An OPERATION WIPE OUT Summit 2.0 convened over 150 Rotarians, providers, and public health leaders to begin implementing local efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in Alabama.

Group Photo from OPERATION WIPE OUT Summit

January 2025

FEBRUARY 2025

OPERATION WIPE OUT was invited to share efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in Alabama at the 2025 Rotary International Assembly in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Isabel Scarinci invited Rotarians and guests from across the globe to join the effort and implement cervical cancer efforts in their communities.

Isabel Scarinci and Ahmed Saada speak about building on Rotary's legacy to prevent cervical cancer. General session 5. International Assembly, 12 February 2025. Orlando, Florida, USA.

FEBRUARY 2025

March 2025

Mobile Colposcopy: Bringing Change to a State Colposcopy Program

March 2025

April 2025

OPERATION WIPE OUT is invited to present elimination efforts at the HPV National Conference.

April 2025

April 2025

OPERATION WIPE OUT is invited to share lessons learned with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)

April 2025

May 2025

Laura Crandall Brown Foundation hosts “OPERATION WIPE OUT night” at Cahaba Brewery in Birmingham to increase awareness about cervical cancer

“OPERATION WIPE OUT night” at Cahaba Brewery

May 2025

June 2025

OPERATION WIPE OUT is featured at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, receiving a standing ovation from over 15,000 Rotarians and guests representing all continents

Robert Friend and Isabella Scarinci speak about cervical cancer and global health during general session 3. Rotary International Convention. 24 June 2025. Calgary, Canada.

June 2025

June - August 2025

OPERATION WIPE OUT implements CHAMPION BRIEFINGS across the state to equip partners/champions to implement the Alabama cervical cancer elimination plan in their communities

Nancy Wright Presenting

June - August 2025

July 2025

Dr. Isabel Scarinci receives the Spain-Hickman Award for Distinguished Service, the highest honor from the Rotary Club of Birmingham, for her leadership in OPERATION WIPE OUT

Dr. Isabel Scarinci receives the Spain-Hickman Award for Distinguished Service

July 2025

Founding Partners in Operation Wipe Out