Vote now (vote often)--for a neuropathy film
 

I wanted to share with you today an e-mail I received from Angela Macropoulos, the attorney and journalist who has written more about peripheral neuropathy than almost anyone else out there--she is the caretaker for her mother, who has CIDP--about a film that she created and which was first shown at the Neuropathy Association Summit back in Septemeber at which both she and I were presenters/speakers on the "Living with Neuropathy" panel. The film has been submitted to the American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) 2011 Neuro Film Festival. The Neuro Film Festival is a competition for amateur filmmakers that aims to increase public awareness of neurological disorders and the dire need for more research.

Apparently there's a competition involved here; the more “views” Angela’s neuropathy video receives, the greater chance it has of becoming a “Fan Favorite” (or the public’s favorite video) and the greater the likelihood for it to be screened at the festival this April during the AAN’s annual meeting in Hawaii. The winning video will be showcased to AAN’s membership and receive significant publicity. And we all know how much the condition of peripheral neuropathy needs publicity.

Here's the e-mail:


Friends:

I hope that you view and vote for my entry into the American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) 2011 Neuro Film Festival. Some of you may have seen the link to this on my Facebook page, but if not (or if the hyperlinks below don't work), here it is:

http://patients.aan.com/neurofilmfes....view&film=239
As I say at the video's close, I made the video not just to honor my mother, Josephine, who has suffered with a severe case of idiopathic neuropathy for seven years, but for the 20M others who have the disease -- whether it be from diabetes, chemotherapy or unknown causes. There are more Americans with neuropathy than those with MS and Parkinson's combined. Neuropathy creates chronic and debilitating pain and/or numbness in the peripheral nerves. It is typically thought of as collateral to another disease, most often, diabetes. However, it is a separate and distinct disorder, with little public attention, no notable celebrity face and minuscule research dollars.

As they say in Oscar campaigns, "for your consideration." Voting is open until March 8th, and contest winners will be announced later next month. The winning videos will be viewed at the AAN's annual conference in Honolulu in early April.

And if it moves you, please pass the link on. That would be most appreciated.


Thanks, all,

Angela Macropoulos



I think the film is very cute and touching--the way Angela and her mother interact is almost worthy of situation comedy, despite the very serious message behind the film.

So go vote--and spread the message and the links--and maybe, just maybe, this will be one more small piece of progress in getting this condition some attention.

BTW, all the films are available for perusal at:

www.neurofilmfestival.com