EmpowerEd debuts at MPC with focus on youth cancer prevention

GREAT BAY--The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), in collaboration with the Positive Foundation and the Elektralytes Foundation, announced the successful launch of EmpowerEd: Reproductive Cancer Education Initiative for Adolescents in St. Maarten at Milton Peters College.

This school-based initiative is designed to equip young people with the knowledge and confidence needed to prevent reproductive cancers and engage in early help-seeking behaviors. The program reflects a shared commitment among the partners to advance adolescent health literacy, reduce stigma, and promote equitable access to prevention education.

The EmpowerEd launch included a Parent Information Forum on March 26, followed by a Youth Educational Workshop on March 30, where 22 students participated. Students took part in interactive learning experiences focused on understanding cancer risks, prevention strategies, and how to navigate conversations with healthcare providers.

Participants explored key topics including testicular cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. A central emphasis of the program was early detection, reinforcing that recognizing warning signs and seeking care early can significantly improve cancer outcomes and survival rates.

Students reported positive feedback, noting that the workshop created a safe, supportive space to ask difficult questions and learn how to communicate effectively with doctors about their health concerns.

“AUC is proud to partner with the St. Maarten community to promote health and wellbeing,” said Mark Rosenberg, dean of AUC. “The EmpowerEd initiative, with its focus on increasing awareness of reproductive cancers among young people, is an example of our ongoing commitment to bettering our community.”

The initiative is also aligned with the Ministry of Public Health’s call for St. Maarten residents to consider the HPV vaccine as a critical tool in preventing cervical cancer in both women and men. By introducing these concepts during adolescence, EmpowerEd aims to foster lifelong preventive health behaviors.

“I commend AUC, The Elektralyets Foundation and the Positive Foundation for this impactful program,” said Eva Lista De-Weever from Collective Prevention Services. “This initiative makes a meaningful contribution to advancing public health and ensuring that high school students are informed about cancer prevention. Since introducing the HPV vaccine in 2013, CPS has continued to make this vaccine available to girls starting at age 9. While the vaccine has not yet expanded to boys, parents and guardians are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to protect their children’s health.”

“The Elektralyets Foundation believes that protecting our youth means taking action today. We are committed to working hand in hand with our healthcare partners to drive awareness, prevention and real change around reproductive cancers. This is bigger than education, it’s about saving lives. When we come together as a community, we create a future where our young people are not only informed, but empowered to take control of their health and make life-saving choices. Together, we can shift the narrative from late diagnoses to early action, from silence to awareness, and from risk to protection, while inspiring our St. Maarten community to get CHECKED. We hope the EmpowerED program becomes a part of every high school in the near future,” said Mercedes “Elektra” van der Waals Wyatt, president of the Elektralytes Foundation.

Looking ahead, the EmpowerEd team is excited to expand the initiative to additional high schools across St. Maarten in the upcoming academic year. Schools interested in collaborating are encouraged to contact Dr. Natalie Humphrey at nhumphrey@aucmed.edu.

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