Make the Connection, a public education campaign to raise awareness and understanding about the connection between cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) recently gave $10,000 to the Masonic Cancer Center's Outreach and Education program, which will use the funds to provide cervical cancer education for Twin Cities-area women.

"The connection between cervical cancer and HPV is not widely understood," said Marva Bohen, R.N., Cancer Center Outreach and Education Director. "Having knowledge about that connection can empower people to make decisions that will reduce the risk of developing HPV and, ultimately, cervical cancer."

Bohen accepted the donation on behalf of the Masonic Cancer Center at a Make the Connection event July 13, 2006, at the Crystal Court on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. Levi Downs, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist and researcher at the Masonic Cancer Center, also spoke at the event. The event was sponsored by the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation (CRPF) and Step Up Women's Network with support from Merck.

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Media Contact: Mary Lawson, Public Relations Director, Masonic Cancer Center, 612-624-6165, 612-363-6971 (cell), mlawson@umn.edu.