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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 Palm Beach on October 12, 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 Palm Beach, 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 Amy Byer Shainman, 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 screening will be held at 7:00 pm at the Muvico Parisian 20 Theater CityPlace, West Palm Beach, FL on October 12, 2013, wrapping up a five city tour starting in Chicago, and continuing on to Los Angeles, CA, Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA. To purchase tickets, please visit www.dappalmbeach.eventbrite.com/
About Force
No one should have to face hereditary breast and ovarian cancer alone. For more than 14 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.
