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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORCE to Host Exclusive Screening of Feature Film in Philadelphia
Screening Coincides with National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week
and National Previvor Day
Philadelphia, PA (September 11, 2013) – Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), is proud to announce the exclusive premiere of the feature film Decoding Annie Parker. Forming a unique collaboration, FORCE, the only non-profit organization devoted to helping those affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), as well as their families, is bringing this major motion picture to five cities across the United States, including Philadelphia, PA on October 2, 2013. The event falls on National Previvor Day, celebrated during the annual celebration of National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week, which was established by FORCE to create awareness and recognize families affected by a genetic predisposition to these cancers (http://www.facingourrisk.org/events/special_event.php).
WHAT: Philadelphia premiere of Decoding Annie Parker, a film starring Helen Hunt, Samantha Morton, Bradley Whitfield, and Rashida Jones
WHEN: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 7 PM
WHERE: Ambler Theater, 108 East Butler Avenue, New Britain, PA 18901
TICKETS: Available at http://dapphiladelphia.eventbrite.com/
Decoding Annie Parker tells the true story of two remarkable women, Dr. Mary Claire King and Annie Parker, each touched by hereditary breast cancer in her own way: Ms. Parker battles the disease and Dr. King’s genetic research leads to the discovery of the BRCA1 breast cancer gene.
Dr. King’s discovery changed the way many in the medical community approached breast cancer and provided solace to families who, generation after generation, lost their mothers, wives and daughters to the disease. Compared with people in the general population, individuals with a BRCA mutation and those with a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancers face many challenges, such as much higher likelihood of being diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, being diagnosed at a younger age, developing cancer more quickly and in more aggressive forms, and having a 50% chance of passing on a BRCA mutation to a child.
“With the screening of this feature film here in Philadelphia, especially since it falls during HBOC Week which is an important milestone for our community, there is a tremendous opportunity to educate people about the importance of knowing their family medical history and speaking to a genetics expert if a pattern of cancer presents itself,” said Sandy Cohen, FORCE’s Vice President of Marketing.
Steven Bernstein, director of the film added, “We’ve created a unique partnership between the entertainment industry and charitable organizations. Through this partnership, we hope to entertain, inform, educate and activate our audience, creating a campaign of goodwill and hope that will leave a lasting legacy.”
The film presentation is sponsored by our National sponsor: The Lillian Byer HBOC Fund, our VIP sponsors: AstraZeneca, Basser Research Center for BRCA and The Brocade Study, our Presenting Sponsor Sisco Berluti, and our Supporting sponsors: Cancer Support Community, DA Visions Photography and Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
About FORCE
No one should have to face hereditary breast and ovarian cancer alone. For more than 15 years, FORCE has been the voice of the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer community. FORCE provides support, education and awareness to help those facing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer know their healthcare options and make informed decisions. The organization is the de facto leader in guiding critical research and policy issues that impact the hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer community. For more information about FORCE and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, please visit www.facingourrisk.org.