It began when a conversation that wasn’t easy to have.
A student at Michigan State University reluctantly confided in her roommate that she had not received the HPV vaccine, not because she didn’t want to but because she simply couldn’t afford it. Like many college students, juggling tuition, housing, food and other expenses, the cost of preventive care felt out of reach.
When the MSU student shared her roommate’s situation with her mom, Constance, she was deeply moved. Her daughter’s roommate wanted to protect her health but lacked the financial means to do so.
The HPV vaccine has more than 15 years of data demonstrating its safety and effectiveness. It protects against certain cancers for up to 10 years. While most HPV infections clear up on their own within two years, nearly 10% persist and can lead to cancer later in life. Yet for some students without insurance, completing the three-dose vaccine series can cost more than $1,100.
Without hesitation, Constance offered to cover the cost. And what might have remained a single act of generosity quickly became something much larger.
Constance found herself wondering how many other students were quietly facing the same impossible choice: Prioritize their health or use their limited resources for rent, groceries and basic necessities.
For college students, that kind of tradeoff can have lasting consequences. Preventive care is not just about avoiding serious illnesses today; it shapes long-term health, academic continuity, and the ability to fully participate in campus life and complete school. When care is delayed or skipped, the ripple effects often reach far beyond the clinic.
Determined to ensure other students would not face the same barrier alone, Constance reached out and partnered with MSU to expand access in a more sustained way. Her $150,000 gift established a fund initially focused on helping students access HPV vaccinations. Over time, the program expanded to cover nearly all vaccines and PAP smears, creating a critical safety net for students regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
The need on campus remains real. Approximately 6% of undergraduate students are uninsured, and even routine preventive care can create financial strain. A flu shot may cost around $25, a cost that may seem modest but can be enough to delay care for a student living on a tight budget.
In 2025 alone, more than 15,000 individuals received vaccines through the preventive care program, including 900 uninsured students.
For Constance, the issue remains deeply personal. “As a parent, it is heartbreaking to know that students may miss out on important preventive care simply because they cannot afford it,” she said. “No student should have to choose between their health and their education. When we invest in preventative care, we invest in their future.”
Dr. Tim Spedoske, Medical Director of Campus Health Services at University Health and Wellbeing at MSU, says that access to preventive care can be pivotal.
“There is an opportunity for students at this phase of their life to make a significant impact on the trajectory of their health,” he said. “Access to preventive care can mean the difference between staying on campus and being forced to leave school because of a medical issue.”
Constance’s investment has also become an essential support for clinical providers working on campus. It allows care teams to provide best-practice care without having to weigh financial barriers against medical needs.
What began with one student’s unmet need has grown into something far greater. Constance’s generosity has helped create a pathway to care for countless students, removing barriers to prevention and strengthening a culture of care on campus. Her gift is a reminder that sometimes meaningful change begins with a simple act of kindness, one that grows into an enduring commitment to the health, wellbeing, and success of future generations.
