Raquel Smith

We wanted to take a second to remember Raquel "Rocky-babylove" who just passed away from cancer earlier this week.  We interviewed her a few years ago when we traveled to New Orleans for the documentary.  She was a dynamic woman with a great sense of humor and the bravery to share her story on camera. 

This sad news is a reminder of why we made this film, and why we will keep on fighting to raise awareness until we eventually have a cure to #endwomenscancers.  Rest in peace, Raquel. 

You can read her obituary here

Thank You for Helping N.E.D. Make an Impact!

2015 has been a big year for No Evidence of Disease (N.E.D.), thanks to your generous support of the documentary and its engagement campaign. 

We are proud and encouraged by the number of people who have supported us in our journey to spread awareness of below-the-belt cancers. We wanted to share some of the highlights of the impact you made:

N.E.D. premiered on PBS World Channel on March 4th and is currently featured on American Public Television's airwaves, where it will continue to be broadcast for years to come. A Spanish language version has also aired on Vme TV. 

To date, there have been over 2,200 broadcasts on public television. That is a potential audience of 230 million people!

On World Cancer Day (February 4th), we partnered with Regal Cinemas to screen the film in 45 cinemas across the U.S. and Canada. Each screening was accompanied by a discussion and Q&A with advocates and health professionals. In addition to the World Cancer Day release, N.E.D. has screened in over 150 communities and in theaters across the world, often targeting underserved populations that do not have access to this vital information. 

With your support, we produced an informative multimedia companion: What Every Woman Should Know, a 16-minute video on the signs and symptoms of all major GYN cancers. The video is available online free-of-charge and is also divided into separate modules on each disease state. It is also available in English, Spanish and Arabic. To accompany this video, we created a free guide that lists questions every woman should ask on her annual visit to the gynecologist. The guide is available in print and online. 

The film is now available On Demand and digital download. The rhythmically charged soundtrack is available here. Proceeds go towards our continuing efforts to raise awareness. 

Our work on N.E.D. led to our partnership with the Globe-athon to End Women's Cancers, the world's first international grassroots effort to unify women's cancer awareness efforts by staging walks, parades, and other events across the globe. With over 80 participating countries worldwide, N.E.D. has truly become the soundtrack of the movement!

Together, we've made a crack in the wall of silence that surrounds below-the-belt cancers. With your help, we will be able to go even further. 

Here's to another year of fighting to #EndWomensCancers!



Win a Shopping Excursion with MyLittleBird Editor and Fashion Blogger, Janet Kelly

Hello everyone! As many of you know, we are currently doing a fundraiser with CharityBuzz for their special holiday auction to support our continuing efforts to raise awareness for women's cancers. We are honored that MyLittleBird editor, Janet Kelly has volunteered her time for this cause. She wrote a lovely message on her site that we wanted to share.  Thank you for all of your support, Janet! 

YES, THAT SMILING MUG you see above is me, Janet Kelly, editor of MyLittleBird.  And I’m up for grabs — at least my formidable shopping skills are — on Charitybuzz, an organization whose online auctions supporting important causes include a power lunch with Spanx founder Sara Blakely and a SoulCycle ride in NYC with founder Elizabeth Cutler. The bidding on Blakely (over $8,000) and on Cutler (over $2,250) ended today, in case you’re wondering.

But you have until Dec. 15 to bid on me! Here’s the deal: Banish the stress over what to wear to a wedding, gala charity soiree or any other special upcoming event on your calendar. I’ll help you pick out that perfect evening dress/outfit for the occasion. You get my expert advice  on which styles suit you best during a four-hour jaunt through your favorite D.C.-area shopping hub. And then I’ll take you to lunch. Sound good? There’s more.

If you win the bidding, you will not only be solving your wardrobe dilemma, you’ll also be supporting Washington, D.C.-based Stone Soup Productions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that sponsors trailblazing documentary films and strong outreach initiatives to raise awareness and ignite social change. Funds from this auction will be earmarked to support programming such as No Evidence of Disease — a film about six cancer surgeons on a rock & roll mission to save women’s lives.

Could there be a more fun way to give and receive? So, go ahead and put in your bid.

Globe-athon in the Caribbean

As many of you know, our work on No Evidence of Disease and What Every Woman Should Know has led to other opportunities to help break the wall of silence surrounding below-the-belt cancers.  We are particularly proud of our work with the Globe-athon to End Women’s Cancers, where we have been part of the core team since the beginning and continue to spearhead their media production, social media and outreach. 

Now in its third year, Globe-athon is dedicated to unifying communities around the world to raise awareness of GYN cancers.  This year, almost 80 countries participated by hosting walks, parades, health screenings or lectures. We are so inspired by everyone’s hard work and dedication to bringing awareness to below-the-belt cancers. Click here to watch video highlights from Globe-athon 2015. 

On Labor Day, the Globe-athon participated in the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) Parade – a huge event that regularly brings 2 to 3 million people to Brooklyn every year.  Following Globe-athon’s custom float, over a thousand dancers, survivors, doctors and medical students marched down Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway, led by the Queen of Soca, Alison Hinds. 

We just wanted to take a moment to share our video of this exciting event.  Enjoy!

We are already helping to plan a bigger and better Globe-athon 2016 and can't wait to see what next year has in store to #EndWomensCancers!

N.E.D. OVEE 9/16

Last night WHUT-TV hosted a live OVEE online screening of No Evidence of Disease. There was a panel featuring three special guests – Andrea Kalin, Director and Producer of the film, Dr. Larry Maxwell, MD, Founder of the Globe-athon and Chair of the OB/GYN Department at Inova Fairfax; and Dicey Scroggins, one of the leading advocates for GYN cancer awareness and combating health disparities.

Viewers were able to chat online during the film, share stories, and get questions answered. It was an emotional and eye opening discussion, where no question was off limits.  

Here are some of the highlights from the online chat:

“I am shocked at what we still do not feel free to talk about and share. There is no body part that is beyond talking about, without embarrassment. Silence around gyn cancers can be more deadly than the cancer itself.”  -Dicey

“Are there really only 758 GYN Oncologists in the US? And do primary care docs really NOT know that this specialty exists? I AM SO INSPIRED TONIGHT!”  -SarahJ

“The information this evening has been priceless. Thanks WHUT for hosting this interactive event.”  -Anonymous F68B

“Cultural competency among health care providers and educational campaigns that are customized to the population at risk are critical. We have been working through churches, temples, synagogues, etc. in reaching many minority groups given that these are social portals from which many people get their health related information.”  -Dr. Larry Maxwell

“You have to be her champion. Gently let her know that you love her and that you know how much she loves you. Sharing this journey is an act of love. Love her into action and sharing. She owes it to herself and to her whole family.”  -Dicey

Thank you to everyone who joined the discussion. Missed out on the OVEE? WHUT will be broadcasting No Evidence of Disease September 22, 2015 at 9:00 pm EST. 

Our panelists digging into the OVEE chat.  

Our panelists digging into the OVEE chat.  

¡Ponle Fin al Cáncer Ginecológico!

No Evidence of Disease the Movie hit the airwaves this month in Spanish, exclusively on Vme TV! We're so proud to be making some noise for women's cancer awareness in multiple languages… and more to come! Catch the buzz, join the movement, and make sure to check out the encore Spanish broadcasts May 15-17! 

¡El documental, Sin Rastros de Evidencia, saldrá exclusivamente al aire en español este mes por Vme TV! Estamos muy orgullosos de estar generando conciencia a los canceres ginecológicos en varios idiomas... ¡y hay mucho más por venir! Únete al movimiento y asegúrate de estar pendiente de las transmisiones del documental por Vme TV del 15 al 17 de Mayo. 

Join the Globe-athon movement.  |  Únete al movimiento Globe-athon.

Let's Be The Change

By Sapna Nichani

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Expressing thoughts into words is hard when your thoughts are so vivid & feel so great that no words can describe them and no words can justify the feelings. First I attended an awesome Flash Mob event for Globe-athon. Globe-athon really caught my eye because it’s the only international movement focused on the prevention and early detection of all gynecological cancers. It was pouring rain when I got to the event! That didn’t stop us from embracing the event.  I got to meet cancer survivors and better yet go to shake out some cool dance moves with them. Who wouldn't want to dance in front of the Lincoln Memorial and for a great cause.

Three words..."win win situation.”  Oh and....I love dancing too!  It was seriously amazing. I loved being part of it and honestly can say it was one of the best experiences I've ever been a part of. I also got on TV for a short bit, showing off my dance moves…that was very cool. I’ll pass my autographs out in near future. Just Kidding.

After the flash Mob I was invited by the amazing director Andrea Kalin, to a wonderful film "No Evidence of Disease." Yes, that's when my life changed. Forever.   I learned so much about gynecological cancers, which I would never knew about. I came from a very conservative family and we never spoke about anything related to female private stuff........well except our "monthly visitors"....but that's about it.  After watching the movie, I learned about cancer prevention. I learned how life is precious and we need to take care of ourselves. This movement is about gaining awareness of Gynecological Cancers, and not being afraid to talk openly about it.  After these events, I assured myself that I would always go and get checkups. Even if you don’t feel something is wrong, you should still check.

Sometimes you just need someone or something to influence you to make your life better and that's what the N.E.D & Globe-athon did for me. Thank you. Continue to be amazing, we need people like you to make this world a better place.

The Rock Docs Have Arrived on Public Television!

No Evidence of Disease had its television broadcast premiere last week on public television's WORLD Channel! Catch the buzz and see what everyone had to say about N.E.D.'s television debut in the Storify story below! If you missed it, never fear - more shows are happening over the next few months! Check out your local listings at www.nedthemovie.com/broadcast and spread the word about this important film that's raising awareness for women's cancer!