March 2007 Update - Screenings
We started off the New Year on January 11 with a screening at the Stanford Health Library in Palo Alto. Diana Cordio, co-leader of the Peninsula/Bay Area Support Group joined me afterwards, answering questions and chatting with those in attendance. (Diana and Brendalynn Kong continue to lead the local group since Jody Kim-Eng has moved further South). Diana also graces the cover of the first issue of the new NPF skInsights newsletter, where she ’speaks out’ in her headlined interview.
In mid-January, I showed an excerpt of the film at the monthly meeting of the Marin Health Council at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae. The group, consisting of healthcare professionals, was quite interested in the impact of psoriasis on so many areas of life. They responded most enthusiastically to the bold images and interviews in the film.
On January 31st, I presented the film to the 3rd-year dermatology residents at UC Davis in Sacramento. Clearly this was a trained group of doctors, all of whom will soon be working actively in clinical situations with psoriasis patients. They were appreciative of the chance to look inside the lives of those of us who appear in the film and who share so much of our experiences with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
February got off to a great start with a live webcast on HealthTalk. I was interviewed for one hour by Ross Reynolds in Seattle. Folks called in and emailed in questions during the show and I was thrilled to be able to reach out to everyone who ‘tuned in’.
I will soon be starting a proper blog on this site. This will be my own personal reflection of the challenges that living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis encompass.
Also in February, writer Lisette Hilton interviewed me and profiled My Skin’s On Fire for Dermatology Times, the leading newsmagazine for dermatologists. The article will hopefully reach many medical professionals who are still unaware of the film.
I’m pleased to announce that The Sparklestone Foundation, the non-profit entity that served as producer for My Skin’s On Fire, has been granted 501-C3 Non-Profit tax status by the IRS. This means, effectively, that we are now in a position to receive tax-deductible contributions in order to continue the work we began with this film and begin to develop more projects and media-based activities. Please consider making a contribution to our Foundation.
David Meyers, the ‘motorcycle guy’ who won the hearts of so many in his brief but compelling appearance in the film, passed away the 1st week in December. He was 54. At his funeral, his coffin was draped with a Harley-Davidson banner, while heavy-metal music filled the chapel at the end of the service. He will be remembered lovingly.