Anyone interested in learning more about the Human Papalonian Virus is encouraged to participate in a free event later today.

Greene County Medical Center is teaming up with public health, New Opportunities of Greene County and the Iowa Cancer Consortium to host a free showing of the documentary “Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic”. The film shares the stories and struggles surrounding HPV. It reveals the people affected by HPV and their triumphs over the infection.

Following the documentary will be a panel discussion including Women’s Health Clinic Nurse Practitioner Valerie Martin, Registered Nurse Jill Juergensen and an HPV cancer survivor. Martin explains why she agreed to be on the panel.

“I want to get the word out there and really educate people. A lot of people who choose not to vaccinate their children (against HPV) do it because they don’t have enough information about it and are worried it’ll cause issues or that it’s maybe not safe or it’s not something their child will be exposed to. But 70 percent of the population has HPV so it’s definitely an important thing to think about.”

It will be held at the Sierra Community Theatre in Jefferson starting 1pm.