Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. ”
Have you ever heard people talk about “Friends” and “Followers” on Facebook and Twitter? Many times, I hear people say how the people that are on their “Friends List” are not really friends. The same, people think “Followers” on Twitter are even less connected than “Friends” on Facebook.
True Friends I Met on Twitter, Kirk, Barbara and Monica
What I believe is… if we add our Friends and Followers for meaning and purpose, then they are “real” friends. I have found true friends on Facebook and Twitter who share the same passion that I have to raise money for pediatric cancer research. I hold close these friendships. The tight bond I have with others in the childhood cancer community has given me a glimpse into their lives– through social media– that I never would have known of.
From a Facebook Friend—Wonderful Advocate– Anonymous:
“Did you know there has only been one new drug approved to treat children’s cancer in the last 20 years? This photo was taken on Dec 15th 2009 just a few hours after ( ) had an anaphylactic reaction to Etoposide. Just seconds after the infusion began he turned deep red/purple and could not breathe. The nurse was nearby and well prepared with drugs in her pocket to stop the anaphylaxis. She stopped the infusion and saved him. The child down the hall from us died the previous day because of she had a reaction to the same drug. She was not as lucky as ( ). I’ll never forget her beautiful brown eyes. She played with ( ) in the playroom just a few hours before she died. 30% of children have these kinds of reactions to Etoposide, a mainstay chemo for fighting leukemia. Share these facts, spread awareness and help kids get newer, safer, more effective drugs.”
I feel the same about my Followers on Twitter. We all support one another. They all know where my heart is, and they tweet away to help. I noticed that many of you (thank you!) helped me RT The Truth 365 petition to sign, and I can’t tell you how happy I was to see all of your names on the petition! It really, really does take only one moment of time. I know, I know, I know that we can at least do that!
http://thetruth365.org/petition/
And so, my fellow Facebookers, and fellow Tweeters, I call now upon your expertise. I call now upon the love in your heart for children fighting cancer.
This is the reason I have joined with this campaign, and this is why I ask you to help me by sending this to everyone you know. Please email, share, post, copy and paste, and tweet your computer fingers away for this cause. Can you say, “Viral?”
I believe in you!
Thank you DanceReader and Care-Aware Calendar!
@Mily116 and @Prince_Love06 , you are the best! Yes, I even have a doggie friend on Twitter who tweets about stopping childhood cancer!
Here are a few copy and paste samples for tweeting!
I see my #TwitterFriends have #LoveInTheirHearts 4 #KidsWithCancer TY 4 #Signing ! #TheTruth365 @thetruth365film thetruth365.org/petition/
#OhMyGosh…only #OneMoreDay ….I repeat…..#ONEMOREDAY #Countdown B4 the #Countdown 😀 #SOEXCITED @thetruth365film thetruth365.org
Dance_Reader @Dance_Reader
Friends, pls support: @thetruth365film http://www.thetruth365.org Documentary hosted by @1ballerina re #ChildhoodCancer Launches 9/13 RT, share
Care-Aware Calendar☼ @Care_Aware
The truth about #childhoodcancer needs to be told 365 days a year, so people will be aware! ★☛ Please follow @thetruth365film &
************************************************************************************
For Immediate Release
“The Truth 365” Sheds Light on Childhood Cancer
Ground-breaking documentary and social media campaign officially launches September 13th,
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day
Marlboro, New Jersey, September 12, 2012
The Truth 365 is a ground-breaking, grass-roots documentary film and social media campaign that gives a voice to children fighting cancer. The film features compelling and inspiring stories of children and their families fighting cancer as well as interviews with political leaders and several of the country’s most respected pediatric oncologists. With the help of thousands of volunteers and a very focused social media campaign, the film will inspire millions of people to show their support for children with cancer.
The campaign officially begins this Thursday, September 13th , National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, with the release of the first of 10 short videos at 9:00 PM EST. A different video vignette will be posted each subsequent evening at 9:00 PM EST, culminating on September 23rd with the release of the full The Truth 365 documentary, hosted by 18-year-old cancer survivor, Melinda Marchiano. To learn more about The Truth, visit www.thetruth365.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/thetruth365film .
Dena Sherwood, founder of Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation, says “By combining the powerful medium of documentary with the viral nature of Social Media, we aim to shine a light on the state of childhood cancer research funding by uniting the childhood cancer community, members of Congress, the nation’s top pediatric oncologists and several influential celebrities. In this election-year we need for our politicians to hear the cries of these children and their parents, who are desperate for funding, less toxic treatments, and ultimately a cure.”
ABOUT THE TRUTH 365:
The Truth 365 is a collaborative effort led by Dena Sherwood, founder of Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation (AWOCCF) and mother to five-year old Neuroblastoma Warrior, Billy Jr., and Emmy-winning producer, Mike Gillette, with the support of the Band of Parents.
Media Contact:
Dena Sherwood – East Coast D. Lee Marchiano – West Coast
Cell: (732) 904-2799 Cell : (805)714-2683
E-mail: dena@awoccf.org E-mail: marchiano@charter.net
*******************************************************************************************
Just like Pinocchio turned out to be a “Real Boy,” I know that my Facebook Friends and Twitter Followers are true.
Please tell everyone and share everywhere, for me. What I am asking is, please help the kids.
My wonderful Social Media Masters, I set you loose in the world of Social Media!
Please tell me, “Melinda, we’ve got this!”
The Truth 365 Childhood Cancer Documentary
Melinda Marchiano 