SupermanHPV (May 2025)
As a survivor of HPV related tonsil cancer, I have been able to share my cancer story to help others, which fills my heart with tremendous joy and gratitude. My efforts over the past eleven years remind me that each day is precious, and that family and relationships are what truly matter in life.
This weekend I had the honor of sharing my cancer story as part of Stanford’s Survivorship Symposium, and a man came up to me during one of the breaks to share that a You Tube video I made years ago helped him while he was at a very low point and going through treatment. We chatted briefly throughout the day, and the sincerity in his voice while sharing how I helped him, filled my heart with incredible pride. It felt so good knowing that my cancer advocacy efforts, continue to impact others in a positive manner. I also met an amazing couple whose message of hope will be embedded in my heart forever. This 89 year old cancer survivor, and his wife showed incredible strength, and kindness and literally brought an entire room to tears while sharing his story with an upbeat attitude incorporating humor as well. His talk was centered on the importance of hope, and the manner in which he delivered his message was powerful. Earlier that morning, I also received a text from a man who has been dealing with HPV related metastatic tonsil cancer who shared with enthusiasm that he just qualified for a trial.
As well, over the past few weeks, I spoke to another survivor with metastatic cancer, who is now going through gamma knife as his HPV related tonsil cancer, has spread to his lungs, and now brain. I share all of this with you as I have become friends and developed strong relationships with many HPV related cancer survivors, patients and caregivers from all over the world. I truly believe that these relationships are mutually beneficial, as I’ve been told that I give them hope, letting them know that what they are going through is all temporary, and that they have the strength to get through it. I also share that if they don’t have a strong belief in their ability to beat their cancer, that they can use my belief in them to make it through treatment. I tell them that it’s important to always find the light in the darkness. Meaning, work to find something good in every day, even the most difficult days, as they are one step closer to being cancer free.
The silver lining in my cancer survivor story is that I have built trusted relationships that allow me to help others. I have been able to connect patients with doctors in a more timely manner so that surgeries could happen more quickly, which provided comfort to families that their loved one would be ok. I have also shared my experience going through a radical tonsillectomy, neck dissection (42 lymph nodes removed from my neck), getting and using a feeding tube including my experience with radiation and chemotherapy. Overall, my journey culminated with me becoming an advocate, sharing my story at immunization coalitions, HPV awareness days, speaking on Capitol Hill as part of a Congressional Briefing concerning the Prevent HPV Cancers Act, speaking internationally and even appearing on NBC Nightly News years ago. My website, www.SupermanHPV.com was created so I could provide inspiration and information for those diagnosed and/or researching HPV, the HPV vaccine and HPV related cancers. My goal is to have my cancer story shared in as many languages as possible on all seven continents to save lives worldwide, and my involvement on the Executive Board of the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance is helping make that dream and reality. If you happen to be recently diagnosed, going through treatment, a survivor or caregiver and just need someone to either listen or give advice from their experience, please reach out to me. I am here for you, and you are not alone.
Thank you,
Jason Mendelsohn aka SupermanHPV
HPV related Tonsil Cancer Survivor
407-782-5614
Jason@AsharGroup.com