1 December 2009
Media Contact: Corin R. Walson, APR
714-970-2268; corin@walsonpr.com
P.A.N.D.O.R.A. and Lanford Foundation applaud "Under Our Skin" for making
Oscar Short List
CORAL GABLES, Fla.---P.A.N.D.O.R.A. and the Lanford Foundation-LifelymeT
today applauded the announcement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences that "Under Our Skin" was selected as one of the 15 finalists
competing for "Best Documentary Feature" in the 82nd Academy AwardsR.
Winner of several film festival awards, and hailed by critics from the New
York Times to Vanity Fair, "Under Our Skin" follows the lives of several
patients and exposes the hidden epidemic of Lyme disease, an infectious
disease caused by the bacterium
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/ld_Borreliaburgdorferi.htm> Borrelia
burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans by bites from infected ticks. If
left untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the
nervous system. Untreated or unsuccessfully treated Lyme disease leads to
chronic and persistent disabling pain and frightening disabilities that
affect hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. Often these individuals
are misdiagnosed or have their infections dismissed by physicians as being
psychosomatic illness.
"We are thrilled for filmmaker Andy Wilson and the patients who were
courageous enough to share their stories in 'Under Our Skin,'" said Marla
Silverman, founder of the patient advocacy organization, P.A.N.D.O.R.A.,
Inc. (Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for
Research & Advocacy). "For patients, this film is a victory towards better
understanding and support from friends, family members, and their medical
professionals."
"Because of 'Under Our Skin' and Andy Wilson's courage to bring this
important issue to the big screen, patients suffering with chronic Lyme
disease and told it's all in your head will finally get the recognition that
they deserve," said Sandi Lanford, founder and president of the Lanford
Foundation-Lifelyme based in Tallahassee, Florida.
Last September, the Lanford Foundation-Lifelyme hosted the film in
Tallahassee with over 200 attendees on opening night, followed by a Q&A
session. Several expert panelists participated: Mandy Hughes, a Lyme
patient whose story was featured in the film; Kerry Clark, PhD,
professor/epidemiologist at UNF; and Carol Fisch, microbiologist and board
member of the Lifelyme Foundation.
"My phone was ringing off the hook for about a month after the showing of
'Under Our Skin!'" Lanford recalled.
The Lanford Foundation- LifelymeT, Inc., has also recently announced its
major partnership with P.A.N.D.O.R.A., Inc. The two organizations are
planning to establish a New Jersey-based NeuroEndocrineImmune (NEI) CenterT
, the first research center to incorporate scientific and clinical research,
quality in patient care, and social services-all in one state-of-the art
facility.
"Under Our Skin" made the cut among 89 qualifying documentaries during the
preliminary round of voting by the Documentary Branch Screening Academy
Committee. Academy members will now select 5 nominees from among the 15
titles on the shortlist. Academy Awards nominations will be announced on
Tuesday, February 2, 2010.
---#----
Corin Ramos Walson, APR
Walson Communications
TEL: 714-970-2268
Cell: 714-865-4147
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