Hello Mike,
This is wonderful that you are actually reaching out. I come from a family of " Breast Cancer Females" You might ask why?
Well: 27 Year old Sister passed away from Breast Cancer after misdiagnosis. She had just had a baby and was breast feeding and the doctors thought it was an abscess, by the time they realized what it was , it was too late.
* Mom died about 7 years after she was also wrongly diagnosed. She had no lump, but a small area of discomfort around her breast. She had a series of test that were inconclusive, and a first Biopsy also was not conclusive. She received a second biopsy that eventually gave the mass away. She did not make it.
After all these events, I decided to take the entire situation in perspective and fight back..
I have two other sisters and believe it or not, about 9 years ago, I actually forced one of them into a mammogram. That saved her life. She is a 9 year survivor thanks to prompt intervention. My advice to all women is to always ASK QUESTIONS, SEEK SECOND OPINIONS; IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ASK.
I am currently a writer and my hope is to make a difference in the lives of those who do not know. Congratulations on this step and I wish you well. If u need me to do anything, please feel free to ask.
Tai
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33 comments:
Hi again, Mike.
This Face the Sun website is fabulous. I had time to listen to the video clips and was very moved.
I have forwarded your email to my family members and friends.
Thanks again for including me in your list.
Jackie
I did get a chance to look at the website. It was fantastic. Your video clip expressed exactly how I feel about life after breast cancer.... all that's really important is our relationships with friends and family and
living each day to the fullest.
Pam
Hi Mike,
Just had a chance to go through the website. I think it's really well done and appreciated the insight given through the video clips. There is one little thing that sounds wrong to me and that's the use of the word "illness" to describe breast cancer, maybe it's just that I'm used to hearing and seeing the word "disease" used.
I hope everything is coming together for this project - I just don't see how it can't. There are so many people touched by breast cancer and you are putting a human face to the larger picture because of your personal experience. My heart feels full with both happy and sad feelings when I read the script, view the website and listen to the clips.
Kudos to both you and Terry and I look forward to following your journey as this unfolds and hits the big screen, as I'm sure it will!
Take care,
Barb
Hi Mike,
Thank you so much for sharing your link and film with me. I am a huge advocate of early screening... and just today, I met a 34 yr old who was diagnosed at 30. Its scary stuff!
I think what you are doing is wonderful... And I will
definitely spread the message and the website to all of my friends. Its 1:25 am here in san francisco... I will write a real letter when I am fully awake! BUT...I am awake enough to know that what I saw on your
website was truly inspirational.
Thank you once again.
Yasmeen
Hello Mike and Movie team
MAny years ago Mike taught my Daughter, Karen, drama at Cow High. Kudos to you
for putting this together. I am forwarding your story to staff here at Shawnigan Lake School. All the best for the great project!Gaynor
I think it's a great idea! Your spreading important information about breast cancer, earning profit to go towards the cause, and providing entertainment all at the same time. I like the site too!
Good Luck!
Sara
Hello. I checked out your website and before any imput, I'd like to say felizidades on being able to experience having someone close to you know cancer. It is unfortunate that they weren't able to survive, and I send my deepest regrets for that. However, I have known many strictened by the illness and know that the most beautiful qualities of a person develope during these life changing experiences. It changes the meaning of life for us, few experiences can do to humanity.
As a young survivor I think the society of cancer patients are neglected and more over 'shelved'. The problem is known and strong all over the world, yet there isn't as much sensitive exposure as there should be. I feel like I should point out more strongly that having cancer means being a part of a society that stands alone because of the life changes that have to be persued to continue living. There are different worries and dependancies then a non-cancer person, who doesn't even have to be healthy to be in a vastly different situation then a cancer patient. For example, compare the stress of a person who has diabetes to a person with cancer. I remember not only changeing my diet but not being able to go to public places including stores, movies, or even small classrooms at school. [Not trying to be insensitive to diabetes patients - which is also prevelent in my familiy- just trying to show the vast differences of steps taken when diagnosed with cancer then most other illnesses]
Now stepping out of the soap box, your website is informative. Since in a 'pre-production phase' I'd imagine that there hasn't been any footage taken. I'm not savy on movie jargon, but if true then my suggestion might be useless. As I was browsing and reading your website I grew more interested and what I started to seach for was a clip of the movie being promoted. I watched the clip of yourself being interviewed. If maybe, in addition to your interview about the inspiration of Face the Sun, talk about the actual plot of your characters in the movie. Or illustrate and clearify who your characters are on the same link as the other information. The literature provided only painted a vague picture of the basic structure of the movie instead of giving information to become acquainted to who to connect to in your movie. I think people would feel better introduced to what your cause is and what the means will be if they make a personal connection with your characters.
I wish you the best of luck and hope this is productive!
Christina
ps. I look forward to watching your production.
Wow... (Face the Sun)what a touching site. Thank you so much for sharing it with me. Have you spoken to Heidi Adams from Planet Cancer about using her site under your links? She is a wonderful advocate. I have personally benefited from the website and also have professionally done work for the organization as a designer. Thanks again for sharing this with me. I look forward to seeing the film.
MIchelle
“I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was duty.
I acted and behold, duty was joy.”
-Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)
Mr. Moroz,
I am sorry for your wife's friend. I myself was diagnosed with Ewing's
Sarcoma at the age of 17. I am now 19 and attend the Berklee College of
Music in Boston. I am studying film scoring and have some paying projects
under my belt. I have realistic sound samples that sounds like a live
orchestra. My music website is http://www.oneilio.com
Having gone through 8 months of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery myself,
it would add another layer to the project, I think to have the music done by
someone who understands. Coincidentally I just recently finished a piece
called "Diagnosis" which was inspired from my experiences.
If you're interested in including me as part of the film for the music and
sound design, I have a wonderful setup and equipment donated to me by the
Make a Wish Foundation (which would make the project even deeper emotionally
to the production process). Listen to a few audio clips I have from my site,
if you'd like, and then I would greatly appreciate a response. Thank you so
much for sharing your project with me, as I found it very emotionally
triggering, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Love,
Patrick
I checked out the website and what you're trying to do is amazing, I'm definately be going to be watching for updates on the progress. It's so important that people understand there's no such thing as too young for cancer I truly hope this film will
help people to realize that. I appreciate the effort you're making to put an end to this disease. If there's anything I can do to help support your project let me know, I wish you all the luck in the world with it.
Jill
Hi Mike. Thanks so very much for reaching out to me. I will absolutely check out your links when I get home from work.
I am so sorry to hear about your friend Diane and her struggle with breast cancer. You experienced firsthand the heartbreak that cancer brings to many lives. You're doing a wonderful thing by celebrating her life. What a great tribute.
I was touched by colon cancer, not breast cancer. I'd be eager to talk to you not only about how one type of cancer (but all types) affect so many. I know this may sound a little selfish but when you're diagnosed with cancer at an early age ugh.. what a long way to strive for and to survivorship. Young children, dreams unmet, so much to still do. My son was 3 and my daughter 7 when I was diagnosed. It seemed that I had to not only pretend for them but for absolutely everyone around me that I was just great and fine and that was more of a burden then actually being told that I had to fight this. The fight without the actual ability to fall apart. So yep I encourage all newly diagnosed cancer patients to be SELFISH ;o)
Promise to check out your site and email more. Please do ask away any questions you may have. I'd be happy to share any of my experience to help others out.
Have a wonderful day.
Naomi
Good Morning Mike,
Thank you for your e-mail. I logged onto your movie site, however, there were quite a few technical difficulties. I was unable to view most of the clips as the video kept stopping. You might want to check it out. Great concept! I wish you much success with the film. I am a 1 year survivor who, at any given chance, will tell my story. If I am able to give hope and courage to just one woman, then I have succeeded. Blessings to you and your family!
Lauren
"I believe every person has a heart, and if you can reach it, you can make a difference."
Mr. Moroz,
I am sure what you are doing is a wonderful tribute to your friend. However, I have second-hand smoke lung cancer and have been turned down for help by so many different organizations because my cancer is not breast cancer. I am sorry but my research on cancer has discovered that the leading killer in women from cancer is the lungs not the breasts. So I do not go on and on about warning women to get mammograms, the news do enough of that. I do warn everyone to get a chest x-ray every year and make sure that there are no changes in the way your lungs look. This is something that no one talks about and I am sorry if I offended you but its just the way I feel.
Good luck on your project.
Sincerely,
Mary
You (Mike) had responded to my post about wigs. I haven't found any place that specifically can make a wig from specific hair. You can however donate hair to Locks of Love (goes to children who loose their hair due to alopecia arecia) or other places accept donations of hair for wigs as well.
I went to you website for the movie. When will it be released? It sounds very interesting. I shaved my head for support for my mom, and am keeping it shaved until her hair grows back.
Nichole
Hi Mike—
My wife forwarded your email to me. I just wanted to take a few moments to say “thank you” for contacting my wife, but more importantly, thank you for honoring yours in this manner.
I don’t know if you read my wife’s blog at www.fighting-breast-cancer.com , but my wife’s story and your wife’s story are identical as far as the “cyst” and “too young for cancer.”
Karen current diagnosis is Stage IV invasive ductal carcinoma at the ripe old age of 31.
Not many people can say “I know what you are going through” without invoking my desire to punch them in the face, but you certainly do understand.
If there is anything that I can do to help you in any way, please know that I am here. Although I know nothing about the movie business, I am a marketing expert and a fairly decent business person. If there is anything I can do: write press releases, search engine marketing, whatever…just let me know. I would love to help.
Either way, good luck and I am sure my wife will be contacting you, in case she already has not.
Michael
Hi Mike,
Thanks for writing this script. I checked out the website and it looks very good. I will certainly pass along the info to others :^)
Though I had oral cancer, I have lost my maternal grandmother as well as a friend to breast cancer. I am glad that you are making an effort to raise people's awareness.
I am very much of the idea that this dramatic increase of cancer in young people is environmental, and I would like to do more to make people aware of the dangers we are not only doing to the environment but to our own health by polluting our food, water, and air.
I hope all the best for your production and I look forward to seeing it. Take care, and have a great day!
Best Regards,
Tara Eden
Hi Mike,
Thanks for e-mailing me you know its very interesting to me that you e-mailed me about breast cancer. I'm not sure if I mentioned this on planet cancer but my family has a very strong history with breast cancer. Beginning with my Grandmother who died of breast cancer, and she had four daughters that all ended up having it also (my mom being one of them). The oldest daughter died from breast cancer also, but the other three including my mom are all survivors. My mom was just recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer and just got hers removed and has beat cancer for the second time.
The funny thing is is that I've always been concerned about breast cancer and was shocked when I got leukemia. However I am still very concerned about getting breast cancer and am excited to read your website and send your email to my whole family. I just thought I would let you know how ironic I thought it was that you sent this to me regarding my family history. I will take a look and e-mail you again about what I think of your website. Good job so far!
Patty
Hi Mike~
Thank you for producing this movie. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
Sincerely yours~
Karen
Thank you very much for sending me the link. It looks great. Good luck on
your project.
Sabrina
Hi,I think its great what your doing and the websites great too!Your wife would be very proud of you.When will the film be finished?I live in Ireland so do you think I would be able to see it when its done?
Sarah
Dear Mike:
I am a two year survivor of breast cancer. I was diagnosed the day before my 38th birthday.
I just started to go thru your website and went to the in memoriam section, as I have a few friends that are young and will most likely not make it another year. It definitely saddens me. It also made me think of the importance of not only acknowledging the survivors, not matter what the age. It also reminded me letting those living with this disease know that there is hope out and that they are not alone. Also, a survivor acknowlegment lets others see that there is life after diagnosis, not just bad times and death.
Just a quick idea. Thanks for taking the time to write and to be part of this movie. Oh yes, will this movie play in the United States?
Sincerely,
Lisa P
Mike,
Thanks for your message. This is definately the type of project I want to
include on my site. As soon as I have some free time I will post information
about it in the blog and in the on-going projects page.
I have to say that from my research, Canadians seem to be more creative in
addressing cancer issues. I am French Canadian by blood and my mother's
maiden name is Duncan- a name I wear proud, inked on my right arm.
Keep me posted on how the movie is coming along and I will make all attempts
to spread the word.
Cheers,
Matt
My beautiful daughter Michela died in April last year after battling cancer for four years. She was 16 yrs old when first diagnosed. Her courage, strength and dignity as she endured the awful treatments offered and then had to face the reality of their failure, was inspirational. As we faced this time together as mother and daughter, we became mother and best friend. To be by her side every step of the was was not an option for me, but at sixteen she too was burdened with the knowledge that her disease was affecting her whole family, she wanted to help and comfort us as much as we wanted to help and comfort her.
While I am not in a financial position to assist you I wish you every success with your film. I will definitely be in line to see it when it comes out. In the meantime here is are a few words I wrote just after my daughter died.
Thank you.
"A Mother's Heart"
For twenty years she was her mother's heart.
Loved, loving, needy, giving, a daily constant.
She was so beautiful, so dignified, so very ill.
And then she was gone,
no longer needing her mother's care,
no longer needing her mother's love.
They tell me she is at peace now, but what does that mean?
They tell me she is in a better place now, but she was happy here.
They tell me she is free,
free from pain, free from fear, whole again,
but how do they know?
Her pain, her fear, her love, her life,
they have not gone to another place.
They remain here on earth,
still in her mother's heart.
Mike,
Great stuff. I love the website and am impressed with your dedication. If you get a chance, I work with two non-profits, check out their sites. www.imermanangels.com we do 1 on 1 support for fighters and caregivers! Also, www.cancerclimber.org check out the cancerclimber flag!
Thanks for thinking of me.
Joe
Hi Mike,
Thank you for passing on the info. I will share it with the Young Adults Cancer Network which I am a part of (www.yacn.ca). Because of our age, most
of us in the group dealt with weeks/months of misdiagnosis before finding out about our cancer. So you are shedding light on a very important issue.
Good luck with the project. The website looks great. Please let me know when the film is going to be available for viewing and if our group can do anything to support you. Perhaps add a link to your website on our site???
Anna
Hi Mike Moroz,
I took a look at your website and I think the project sounds wonderful. It still astonishes me how powerful the impact of cancer can be, especially for a younger person, and how it can ripple outward and effect so many. I also know how massive and daunting a film project can be so I commend you for your efforts. I live in Los Angeles which is just about as far away from Canada as one can get and still be in the U.S. but please let me know know if there is anything I can do to help.
I also completed my short documentary about young adult cancer survivors which ended up being largely personal and self referential which was something I wanted to avoid but somehow ended up doing anyway. I guess it was inevitable. It is called Horizon Line and I would be happy to send a copy your way if you have any interest. I'm not sure if it would be useful to you but it might. Either way, keep in touch and let me know how the project is going. I definitely want to see the finished product!
Take Care,
--Stella
Dear Mike Moroz,
I was impressed by your story and has posted it on our website. If you have any objection to this, I would remove the post
http://www.breast-cancer-blog.com/
Regards,
Hello there,
The story about your friend hits
pretty close to home since my "doctor" told me the same thing, I was too young (I was 28), etc, etc. She didn't have a clue. I am very angry that
these so called doctors do not realize that this disease can strike any one of any age, cancer does not discriminate. Because my doctor ignored me and
because I felt comfortable at the time with her saying it was nothing, I am now battling stage 4 cancer, it's in my bones and my liver. I don't know how long I will live, hopefully a long time but I have lost my ability to
have children. Thank God I have a wonderful husband who has stuck by me through all of this.
I have checked out your website a bit and have bookmarked it for when I have time to read it thoroughly and I will send the link to everyone I know.
I think it is wonderful that you are doing this, raising awareness,
especially for young women.
Thank you again,
Julie
Hello,
I had a look at your site and film..I am very sorry for his loss..and also ty for promoting breast cancer awareness.
I will definately visit your site on a reg basis..I am 39 yrs old and a now 3 yr survivor of breast cancer and i sure can relate to being diagnoised in british columbia as i had my share of bs...
One day maybe not in my life time but my childrens life time there will be a cure...... but i agree early detection is our only hope right now..so i just wanted to say ty and best of luck with your website and movie...
take care.
tracey
I read about your project on bc.org, and I wanted to tell you how moving it is. I think project's such as this are so essential in getting the word out that cancer does happen to women of all ages.
After being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at the age of 26, I thought my world had ended. I did everything right; never smoked, didn't have family history of the disease, and yet there I was making decisions about surgery and chemotherapy, instead of planning my 27th birthday party.
After losing my breasts and my hair, and then regaining it all back, with a new sense of self, I set out on a mission to let the world hear my story. Posing topless in major magazines such as Allure, and Self, and being published all the way from the U.S. to Germany, I was destined to make people aware.
I celebrated my 29th birthday this year speaking in front of 1000 people at the American Cancer Soceity's making strides against breast cancer kickoff breakfast. Since then I have had several speaking engagments, and hope to become a motivational speaker to women as young as the collegiate level--explaining the importance of breast self exams, risk factors, and what it means to be your own best advocate.
My best friend from nursery school has started a foundation for men in my honor, called DUDES FOR BOOBS. Through humor, blog entries, and pictures, we are asking young men to get involved in the fight against breast cancer.
We would like to know if we can add a link to your site on our main page. Again, keep up the good work. You have the power to touch so many lives.
Regards,
Beth
Hi guys, I got your note via Planet Cancer. Sounds like a good project. There is a film festival held here every year (past 12 or 13 years) for information check out www.cucalorus.org and let me know if you'll be in the area. - Best of Luck - Kate Wilmington, NC
Thank you for your email, Mike. I did review the website and would be very excited to contribute to this project in some way. You may have "read between the lines" in my article that I am annoyed with the
commercialization of breast cancer, but it is apparent to me that what you have in mind is a very real human interest story about the reality behind the statistics. I also really like the message that you gave in the video about living every day as if it were your last. I think that your film will be a great vehicle in which to examine the way an illness not only affects the patient, but also the relationships with family and friends.
The breast cancer women that I have known actually seem happier and more content with their lives than they were before. A friend of mine is
convinced that the reason that she had breast cancer is that she needed "a wake up call". I've seen strong marriages grow stronger, and I've seen weak marriages fall apart. Some women have completely changed career direction,others have become more committed than ever to their life's work. Some friendships die and others strengthen. It's really interesting what happens, and I don't think that this is unique to breast cancer.
I don't know what I can offer you, but would be honoured to assist.
Regards,
Barbara
I think the film is a fantastic idea. Your project is a very special one and it is good to see that people can take really horrible experiences and create something helpful and meaningful out of it.
Thanks for sharing with me,
Meg
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