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FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORCE to Host Exclusive Screening of Feature Film in Chicago
Provides Support, Advocacy for Those Affected by Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Chicago, IL (July 15, 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, starting in the Windy City on July 25, 2013.
The film, starring such well known actors as Helen Hunt, Samantha Morton, Bradley Whitfield, and
Richard Schiff, among many others, tells the true story of two remarkable women--Dr. Mary Claire King
and Annie Parker. The film parallels the lives of these two women as they are both affected by hereditary
breast cancer, Ms. Parker who battles the disease, and Dr. King the geneticist whose research led to the
discovery of the BRCA1 breast cancer gene.
In the U.S. alone, there are approximately one million people who are at increased risk for HBOC and
90% of these do not even know it. Compared with people in the general population, individuals with a
BRCA mutation and those with a strong family history of these cancers face other challenges as well,
such as being diagnosed at a younger age, developing cancer more quickly and in more aggressive forms,
and having a 50% chance of inheriting a BRCA mutation from an affected mother or father.
“With the screening of this feature film here in Chicago, 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 Heather Fineman, FORCE Outreach Coordinator.
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 The Brocade Study, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Primary
Care Psychology Associates and The Synder Family.
The Brocade Study is a research study looking at the PARP inhibitor veliparib for treating advanced,
hereditary breast cancer. The primary purpose of the study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of
veliparib in combination with chemotherapy in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic BRCAassociated breast cancer. For more information, please visit https://www.brocadestudy.com/.
NorthShore, headquartered in Evanston, IL, is a comprehensive, fully integrated, healthcare delivery
system that includes four hospitals in Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park and Skokie. NorthShore’s
Kellogg Cancer Center is a cancer treatment center offering comprehensive, compassionate cancer care
and treatments for oncology patients and their families at three locations.
The screening will be held at 7:00 pm at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont, IL on July 25, 2013, and
continue on to Washington, DC, Philadelphia, PA, Palm Beach, FL and Los Angeles, CA. To purchase
tickets, please visit www.dapchicago.eventbrite.com/
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.