Five years ago, James Spack’s world shattered with four devastating words: “Dad, I have cancer.” His daughter Sydney, just 28 years old, had her whole life ahead of her—dreams of marriage, children, and travel. But an aggressive, HPV-related cervical cancer took it all away.
March 4 is International HPV Awareness Day. The Victoria father is turning his grief into action, urging parents and caregivers to get their children vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can lead to several types of cancer, including penile, throat, and cervical.
Sydney hadn’t been feeling well for several weeks since returning home from a trip. When she was diagnosed in January 2019, the cancer had already spread.
“There is no way to describe the shock to your system, the moment you hear those terrible words from your child,” James said.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, about 75 per cent of sexually active people who have not received their HPV vaccination will get an HPV infection at some point in their lives. While most infections clear on their own, some can become cancerous.
“From the moment of her diagnosis to the day she passed, she endured 15 months of chemotherapy and radiation, and constant pain as the cancer spread throughout her body and into her bones,” James said. “As her caregiver, I shared every moment of discomfort with her. It was a challenge and a lasting image I will never forget.”
HPV infection is preventable. Across Island Health in 2023, 57 per cent of children in grade 6 were immunized for HPV (North Island 47 per cent, Central Vancouver Island 54 per cent, South Vancouver Island 65 per cent). Island Health Public Health Nurses are currently visiting schools across the region offering vaccine to grade 6 students as part of the routine provincial program, and to grade 11 and 12 students, in a special effort to boost immunization rates. This gives youth an additional opportunity to be immunized before they turn 19 when the cost of the vaccine is no longer covered.
“Our lives will never be the same. I have lost a daughter. A sister to my oldest daughter is gone. My grandson has lost an aunt,” James said.
January 15, 1991 - July 14, 2020
He wants to ensure no other parent lives with the regret he has missing the opportunity to protect a child.
“When you lose a child after a long battle with cancer, you not only lose their everyday presence, you lose their future. I’m not sure which is more difficult to bear. You’re only left with memories and the thoughts of what might have been. Her smile will never be forgotten.”
James’s message to other parents and caregivers is simple: you can protect your children today.
“You don’t want to be a parent living with the regret that you could have done something,” he said. “Please, get your child vaccinated. Protect them for life.”
The vaccine is free for youth ages nine to 18 in B.C. Students who miss these immunization clinics can get immunized at participating pharmacies, public health units, primary care providers, community health centres and travel clinics. Two doses of vaccine are currently recommended for nine to 14-year-olds and three doses are recommended for ages 15 and older.
Visit BC Cancer’s website to learn more about HPV immunization, cancer prevention and screening:
You can also visit the Immunize BC and HealthLinkBC websites:
Check you or your child’s immunization records through the Health Gateway.