I’ve got some exciting news to share with you.
If you’re into great films and spreading awareness about amazing discoveries related to our health, keep reading.
I attended a benefit screening on Tuesday, May 28th in Saint John for the film Decoding Annie Parker. I was delighted to meet Anne Parker, who was on hand to answer questions and meet everyone. Director, Steven Bernstein, was also in town to talk about why this film was so important to him and how they hope to create a new vehicle for raising awareness and money for BRCA Gene related cancers through this “filmanthropic” approach.
Radio host from CBC, Hance Colbourne with Director Steven Bernstein
Hance speaks with the real Anne Parker, who is currently battling her third diagnosis of cancer. She’s an inspiration for all!
BRCA Gene Awareness Inc. has the full rights until October to hold benefit screenings in an effort to to raise money and awareness for the BRCA gene research which hopefully someday, will be able to find a cure for these cancers.
This week, on Wednesday evening in Detroit, a benefit screening will be held to help the Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit – an organization which provides free social and emotional support for men, women and children living with cancer and their families and friends.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: June 12th
Time: 6pm
Venue: Maple Theater (4135 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI)
All of the information via eventbrite is here: http://decodingannieparkerdetroit.eventbrite.com/#
Join the event on Facebook!
Make sure to like BRCA Gene Awareness Inc on Facebook and as well, follow them on Twitter: @BRCAGeneAware
Seattle International Film Festival
The crew just returned from 2 SIFF screenings wich were hugely successful!
Samantha Morton (who plays Annie Parker) won the BEST ACTRESS GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD
What a tremendous accomplishment for an independent film! Plus this also was the first time all 3 have met in person: Dr. Marie-Claire King, Anne Parker and Steven Bernstein:
Why is this important?
As you may be aware, Angelina Jolie recently had a double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA gene. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently involved in the hearing to determine whether it is legal and ethical for a research company to “own” our genes.
The fact that a research lab can “own” our genes…OUR genes….amazes me. I understand they need to have incentive for putting time and money into finding cures and ways to detect and prevent illness, but when the information is found, is it ethical for them to hold onto this, proclaiming that they have “patented” the gene and only their lab can run the tests and set the prices for detection of said gene?
I won’t get into this too much, but if you want to read an article from Forbes – check this out
So what can you expect if you get to watch this amazing film?
Personally, the film takes you through every element of life: from laughter, to tears, to smiles to shaking your head at the ironies of life.
From a recent press release about their premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival:
The film tells the real-life story of two women, separated by thousands of miles, by circumstance, background and education, whose lives gradually intertwine until a final, singular and life-changing revelation. It is the story of Annie Parker (played by Samantha Morton), a sharp-witted, irrepressible young woman who watches her mother, then sister, fall victim to breast cancer. When she is diagnosed with the disease, she is resolved to educate herself and fight back against immeasurable odds.
It is also the story of Dr. Mary-Claire King (played by Academy Award winner Helen Hunt), the geneticist who discovered the BRCA1 gene and its link to breast and ovarian cancer. Dr. King’s breakthrough in the face of the medical establishment’s disbelief became one of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century, and has become headline news once again thanks to the recent revelations by Angelina Jolie and the hearings before the Supreme Court.
Detroit friends – please share the story and the love!
Love,
@ApryllAileen