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I always knew HPV could lead to cancer—I just didn’t expect it to happen so fast. For years, I kept up with routine screenings, burning off abnormal lesions before they could turn into something worse. Until one day, they couldn’t. In just a year, I went from high-risk lesions to stage 2 anal cancer. Treatment pushed me to my limits, but I fought back. Now, I’m sharing my story to make one thing clear: HPV-related cancers are preventable. Vaccinate. Advocate. Educate.

I was 23 when I was diagnosed with colon cancer—something my doctors had overlooked for years. The only reason it was caught in time? Routine bloodwork from my gender-affirming care. That one test set off a chain of events that ultimately saved my life. This is my story of resilience, transition, and how gender-affirming healthcare can make all the difference.

In November 2022, I turned 30 in Palm Springs, California, and had the amazing experience of celebrating Pride there too. A few months later, my partner and I packed up our car and cat, heading back to Palm Springs for a work opportunity. Little did I know, just weeks into my new job, I would start experiencing symptoms that led to a life-changing cancer diagnosis.

I’m Tami Pangelina, and I was my nephew Daniel’s caregiver—a brilliant drag queen, makeup artist, and performer whose life was cut short by colorectal cancer. Now, I’m dedicated to raising awareness, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, to prevent others from facing the same fate. This is Daniel’s story—and a call for change.