MEDIA INQUIRIES Sue Collins Producer 4 Upton Road St Kilda, VIC

MEDIA INQUIRIES Sue Collins Producer 4 Upton Road St Kilda, VIC

MEDIA INQUIRIES
Sue Collins
Producer
4 Upton Road
St Kilda, VIC 3182
Australia
+61 3 8689 9810
[email protected]
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CONTENTS
Production Details
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Overview
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Filmmakers’ Statement
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About the Filmmakers
Mike Hill – Producer/Director/Writer
Sue Collins – Producer/ Researcher
Marden Dean - Cinematographer
Cindy Clarkson – Editor
Adam Starr – Composer
Keith Thomas – Sound Designer
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Key Cast Bios
David Suchet – Narrator
Dr Balfour Mount
Dr M R Rajagopal
Dr Kathleen Foley
Professor Michael Cousins
Dr Faith Mwangi-Powell
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Media Assets
Production Stills
Poster
Promotional Films
Links
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Vital Statistics
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Related Topics in the News
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About
Moonshine Movies
Lien Foundation
Union For International Cancer Control
International Association for the Study of Pain
Mayday Fund
Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice
Open Society Foundations
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PRODUCTION DETAILS
Logline
Live Well. Die Better.
Genre
Documentary Feature Film
Format(s)
Feature Film, 50 Short Films, One-Hour TV Documentary
Shooting Gauge
XDCam 1080 25p (HD)
Sound
Stereo & Dolby E (5.1 Surround Sound)
Languages
English
Subtitles
English, Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified),
German, Vietnamese, Czech, Romanian, Hungarian
Available Format
PAL & NTSC
Aspect Ratio
1.78:1 (16x9)
Official Websites
www.LifeBeforeDeath.com
www.TreatThePain.com
Director
Mike Hill
Producers
Sue Collins & Mike Hill
Country of Origin
Australia
Shooting Locations
India, Uganda, Singapore, Canada, USA, Australia, South Africa,
Georgia, China, Hong Kong & Ireland
Production Company
Moonshine Movies
Copyright
Moonshine Agency Pty Ltd
Classification
PG - Parental Guidance Recommended for Younger Viewers
Platforms
Feature Film (81 minutes)
TV Documentary Single (52 minutes)
50 x Short Films (3-6 minutes)
Social Media (Various)
Online (Various)
Awards/Festivals
Accolade Competition 2011
Award of Merit - Feature Documentary
Best Shorts Competition 2011
Best of Show - Short Films (Various)
The Indie Fest Award of Merit - Feature Documentary
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OVERVIEW
How will you die?
LIFE Before Death is a multi-award winning documentary series that asks the fundamental
question underpinning our mortality.
This beautifully filmed journey takes us to 11 countries as we follow the remarkable health
professionals battling the sweeping epidemic of pain that threatens to condemn one in every
ten of us to an agonizing and shameful death.
Through the eyes of patients and their families we discover the inherent humanity that
empowers the best of us to care for those beyond cure. We uncover hard truths about the
torture occurring everyday in hospitals around the world but also of the immense hope
that comes from those health care pioneers brave enough to accompany terminal patients
on their inevitable journeys to gratifying end-of-life experiences filled with dignity, love and
peace.
This is an intimate, hopeful and life-affirming story of living well and dying better, advocating
for making the most of every moment in our life before death.
The sun sets on Kerala, Southern India during a moment of reflection.
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FILMMAKERS’ STATEMENT
LIFE Before Death is a documentary project about terminal patients, their families and the
extraordinary health care professionals fighting to change the culture of medicine to be more
focused on care, rather than exclusively on cure.
Curative medicine is the cornerstone of national health systems around the world and the
primary motivation for many aspiring doctors. While curing patients is unquestionably a key
goal, the one-eyed application of cure-based approaches is often at the detriment of patient
well being, particularly towards the end of life. For patients with life-limiting illnesses cure is
simply not an option.
The global crisis in untreated pain is an issue that requires urgent attention. The central
argument of this project is that if individuals want and need effective pain treatment they
should be able to receive it. This seems self-evident, but the barriers to overcome are both
daunting and complex for millions worldwide.
As global projections of cancer, HIV/AIDS and chronic pain diseases skyrocket, the need for
affordable pain relief has reached crisis levels. Doctors, patients and families around the world
are crying out for reform of a global system condemned for ‘torturing’ countless numbers of
sick and marginalized individuals everywhere.
Over twenty years ago, the World Health Organization determined that when pain becomes
moderate to severe, treatment with narcotic medications derived from opium were medical
‘best practice’, and defined the drugs used for such purposes as ‘essential’. Yet as recently as
March 2009, the WHO estimated that 600 million people alive today, in over 160 countries,
would experience negative health impacts from ineffective pain treatment.
The documentary style of LIFE Before Death is largely observational, demonstrating the
positive life-changing influence of pain control and palliative care. The story ultimately
provides hope that this is one global health problem that can be solved with a little help from
the audience.
The target audience for the film - including health professionals, regulators, policy makers
and the general public - is largely uninformed of the global crisis in untreated pain and the
lack of access to morphine (or similar medicinal opioids) for millions of people worldwide.
To date, there has been insufficient print or electronic coverage of the topic that would
arouse enough public concern to drive change. There is almost zero public understanding
that the solution to this appalling problem is essentially simple - morphine is inexpensive to
manufacture and relatively simple to administer.
In addition to effective pain control, studies have shown that the application of palliative care
addressing patients’ ‘total pain’ - be it physical, psychological, social, spiritual or practical
struggles - not only improves quality of life and reduces depression, but also extends patients’
life spans.
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This is an important opportunity to tell a compelling story of universal dimensions, raise
public awareness, and help mobilize concerned citizens by advocating for lasting change
around the two core issues:
1. The crisis in untreated pain due to inadequate access to medicinal opiates.
2. The delivery of essential palliative care services around the world.
Everyone has been touched by pain in his or her life, particularly through cancer, HIV/ AIDS,
arthritis, surgical or traumatic circumstances. “Not to have felt pain is not to have been
human”, attests one Jewish Proverb. This is a story that everyone can relate to and should
know more about, enabling them to make informed decisions.
As documentary professionals, we are driven to contribute to this pressing humanitarian
cause.
By Mike Hill & Sue Collins
Medicinal opium poppy fields at sunrise in Northern Tasmania, Australia
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ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
MIKE HILL - Producer / Director / Writer
Mike Hill has written and directed the theatrically released documentary feature, The
Man Who Souled The World (2007), and four broadcast television documentaries;
Jokes On You (2011), Jailbait (2008), AKA Girl Skater (2002) and Tic Tac 2 Heelflip:
Australia’s Skateboarding History (2001). As well as having directed three award-winning
documentaries, Mike is also an experienced television and commercial producer and
interviewer, with over 20 hours of produced credits. Mike’s formal training includes a
Bachelor of Social Sciences (RMIT) and a Graduate Certificate in Screenwriting and Directing
(AFTRS). Mike and his team at Moonshine Movies are based in Melbourne, Australia and
have been producing for film, television and new media for over 10 years.
SUE COLLINS - Producer / Researcher
Sue’s career has seen her work in a diverse range of areas within the entertainment industry,
including Film and Documentary with a strong background in Theatre and Events. Since
graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts with a BA in Dramatic Art Production, Sue
has worked as a freelance documentary producer, producing TV specials such as The Global
Assault (2006), and as the Production Manager on The Man Who Souled the World (2007).
Sue has also been an Associate Producer at Melodrama Pictures and spent fourteen months
working as the First Assistant Director for the stop-motion animation feature Mary and
Max (2009). Sue has coordinated on live action films, short films and animation, is a skilled
researcher, and thoroughly enjoys developing new projects.
MARDEN DEAN - Cinematographer
Marden is an award-winning cinematographer who works across the board on drama,
documentaries, music videos and commercials. He completed an MA in Cinematography at
the Australian Film Television and Radio School and has gone on to enjoy close, adventurous
collaborations which have taken him across Australia and around the globe. He brings to
each project a passion for story and the experience to bring any vision to life.
Marden has shot films that have screened in several international film festivals including
Sydney and Melbourne International Film festivals, Palm Springs, Flickerfest, Tribeca and
the Dendy Awards amongst many more, and was the recipient of a Gold Award from the
Australian Cinematography Society for the SBS feature documentary, A Well-Founded Fear
(2008).
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CINDY CLARKSON - Editor
Cindy Clarkson discovered editing at university and since 1985 has been freelancing in both
the picture and sound departments. Momentary highlights include BBC holiday relief film
assistant editor; cutting her first feature Everynight...Everynight; being a dialogue editor on
Fred Schepisi’s IQ; cutting a US kids fantasy flick shot in China with 30 minutes of martial
arts, and a documentary on tournament poker player Van Nguyen; and wrestling over
300 hours of footage down to feature length on Mike Hill’s documentary The Man Who
Souled the World (2007). Some of her editing credits include Jonathan auf der Heide’s Van
Diemen’s Land, George Miller’s Prey, and Ben Hackworth’s Corroboree.
ADAM STARR - Composer
Adam Starr is a talented composer who has a worked on many of Moonshine’s previous
productions including the documentary The Man Who Souled the World (2007) and Tic Tac
2 Heelflip: Australia’s Skateboarding History (2001). Adam Starr has scored approximately
25 short films, 4 feature films plus music for television series, theatre and advertising. His
original music has been recorded by different artists and bands on more than 15 CDs. He
completed a Masters in Composition for the Screen at the Royal College of Music in London
in 2005 and recently completed a PhD in Composition at University of Melbourne, on a full
MRS scholarship. Adam also composes concert music: he has written for soloists, chamber
groups, Big Bands and orchestras. Adam’s compositions have been performed in Italy,
Germany, Switzerland, Singapore and the UK.
KEITH THOMAS - Sound Designer
Keith Thomas is an AFI award-winning sound designer for his work on Vietnam Nurses
(2005), Best Sound in a Documentary. He has previously been nominated on two other
occasions for Best Sound in a Documentary. Keith’s feature film credits include Mary &
Max (2009), Bad Eggs (2003), Angry Boys (2011), Rollerboy (2011) and X (2011). He was
awarded the Australian Centenary Medal in the 2001 Queen’s New Years Honours List for
his services to Australian society and Australian film production.
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KEY CAST BIOS
DAVD SUCHET - Narrator
Popular British screen, stage and radio actor David Suchet is a Commander of the Order of
the British Empire (CBE), an associate artist and governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company
and a Doctor of Letters of the University of Kent. He was awarded an OBE in The Queen’s
2002 Birthday Honours for services to drama. David is perhaps best known for his portrayals
of Agatha Christie’s Poirot (Best Actor nomination, BAFTA) and Maxwell (Emmy Award
Best Actor). David’s other popular film and television credits include The Bank Job, A Perfect
Murder, Sunday (Sundance Best Actor nomination), Executive Decision, Song for Europe
(Best Actor, RTS Awards), A World Apart (Best Actor nomination, BAFTA), Going Postal,
Diverted, NCS: The Series, The Way We Live Now (Best Actor nomination, BAFTA), Blott on
the Landscape (Best Actor, BAFTA) and The Life of Freud (Best Actor, RTS Awards).
Personal Statement on the Topic
“My interest in pain control and palliative care comes from my own personal life experiences.
Experiences I’m certain many of you also share. It concerns me deeply that four out of every five
people do not have adequate access to essential pain medicines, or to the palliative care services
that transform the end of our life experience for patients and families alike. I was fortunate enough
to watch both my mother and father die “well”. And if that is well, it’s not good enough.
We’re all going die and I believe that each and every one of us deserves the utmost respect and
professional care at the end of life. This includes the universal human right to pain control. I
encourage you to spread the word about this critically important humanitarian cause so that we
can, each and every one of us, one day, be confident of living well and dying better.”
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DR BALFOUR MOUNT
Montreal, Canada
Palliative Care Pioneer
Balfour M. Mount, OC, OQ (born 14 April 1939) is a Canadian physician, surgeon, and
academic. He is considered the father of palliative care in North America.
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, he received his medical degree from Queen’s University in 1963
and studied surgery and urology at McGill University. In January 1973, Dr Mount, a
urologic-cancer surgeon, was influenced by a discussion group of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ book
On Death and Dying to lead a study at the conditions at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
In September 1973, after visiting Cicely Saunders’ St. Christopher’s Hospice he helped to
create a similar ward within the Royal Victoria Hospital and coined the term “palliative care”.
He became the founding Director of the Royal Victoria Hospital Palliative Care Service, the
Palliative Care McGill in 1990 and the McGill Programs in Integrated Whole Person Care
in 1999. Dr Mount is the Eric M. Flanders Emeritus Professor of Palliative Care at McGill
University.
In 1985, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition for having
“founded the first Palliative Care Service at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital”. In 2003,
he was promoted to Officer in recognition of being “the father of palliative care in North
America”. In 1988, he was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec. He has been
awarded honorary degree from the University of Calgary, Queen’s University, and Dalhousie
University.
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DR M.R. RAJAGOPAL
Trivandrum, India
Palliative Care Doctor
M.R. Rajagopal MD is a palliative care physician from India. He qualified as a physician from
Trivandrum Medical College, Kerala and as an anaesthesiologist from All India Institute of
Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
While working as Professor and Head of Anaesthesiology in Calicut Medical College in 1993,
Dr M.R. Rajagopal and his colleagues founded the Pain and Palliative Care Society (PPCS) in
Calicut. By creating a palliative care delivery system suited to the Indian cultural and social
background, it attracted international attention and in the year 1995 was designated a WHO
demonstration project. Over the next decade it grew to the present Institute of Palliative
Medicine and a network of about 100 palliative care centres in the state of Kerala, and
prompted generation of several outside the state. This initiative has now resulted in palliative
care reaching about 30% of the needy in Kerala as against a national average of less than
0.5%.
After leaving Calicut in 2002 he worked for three years as the Professor and Head of Pain
and Palliative Medicine at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India. During
this time he started educational programs in Kochi including the first university-approved
postgraduate diploma program in the country in Pain and Palliative Medicine.
Since 1996 he has worked with a Pain and Policy Studies group in Madison, Wisconsin USA
to remove regulatory barriers to availability of oral morphine for pain relief in India. Over an
eight year period, this has resulted in simplification of narcotic regulations in 13 of India’s 28
states.
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DR KATHLEEN FOLEY
New York, USA
Pain Specialist
Dr Kathleen M. Foley is an Attending Neurologist in the Pain and Palliative Care Service at
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City. She is Professor of
Neurology, Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology at Weill Medical College of Cornell
University, and holds the Chair of the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in
Pain Research.
In 1981, Dr Foley was appointed Chief of the newly formed Pain Service within the
Department of Neurology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It was the first
designated pain service in a cancer centre in the United States. Dr Foley was elected to the
Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science for her national and international
efforts in the treatment of patients with cancer pain. She is currently Director of the Project
on Death in America of the Open Society Institute. This project is focused on transforming
the culture of death in America through funding initiatives in research, scholarship, and
clinical care.
Dr Foley has focused her career on the assessment and treatment of patients with cancer
pain. She has defined the epidemiology, classified the common causes and defined the
common pain syndromes that occur in this patient population. With her colleagues, she has
developed scientific guidelines for the treatment of cancer pain with analgesic drug therapy
through clinical pharmacologic studies of opioid drugs.
Dr Foley is a past President of the American Pain Society and a past member of the Board of
Directors of the American Academy of Neurology and the International Association of the
Study of Pain. She has received numerous awards and honours including the Distinguished
Service Award from the American Cancer Society, the David Karnovsky Award from the
American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Frank Netter Award of the American
Academy of Neurology.
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PROFESSOR MICHAEL COUSINS
Sydney, Australia
Pain Specialist
Professor Michael Cousins AM has worked in the field of persistent pain for over 40 years
as a clinician, researcher, educator, administrator and community advocate. He developed
two major multidisciplinary pain centres, one at the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide and
the second at Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney – the Pain Management
Research Institute (PMRI).
He is the author of over 250 peer-reviewed publications as well as three books. He served as
the founding President of the Australian Pain Society and founding Dean of the Faculty of
Pain Medicine. He was a long-serving councillor of the International Association for Study
and Pain (IASP) and served as its president from 1987 to 1990.
He has also served as President of the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
(ANZCA) and Chair of the Presidents of Medical Colleges (PMC). He was also a councillor
of the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and is a councillor of the
Australian Medical Council.
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DR FAITH MWANGI-POWELL
Kampala, Uganda
Palliative Care Activist
Dr Faith Mwangi-Powell is currently the Executive Director of the African Palliative Care
Association, a post she has held since joining APCA in January 2005.
Dr Mwangi-Powell is a member of the Board of Directors for the International Hospice
and Palliative Care Association (IHPCA) and the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan
Africa (FHSSA). She is also a member of the Open Society, International Technical Advisory
Committee, the Kings College International Expert Panel for the Global Palliative Care Needs
Assessment project and a member of the advocacy committee for the Worldwide Palliative
Care Alliance (WWPCA).
Prior to APCA, Faith worked for two and half years with the Diana, Princess of Wales
Memorial Fund, London, UK as an International Advocacy Officer for Palliative Care, and for
three years before that as the Director for the Foundation for Women’s Health, Research and
Development (FORWARD), a London based international NGO specializing in gender issues.
Faith comes from a community health background, with expertise in gender issues, sexual
reproductive health, fundraising and international advocacy.
She holds a master’s degree in Population Policies and Programmes from Cardiff University
and a PhD in Women’s Economic Development and Fertility-Related Behaviour from the
Exeter University in Devon, UK.
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MEDIA ASSETS
Production stills available for download at print resolution.
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POSTER
A collection of films about living well and dying better
THE INSTITUTE FOR
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
at San Diego Hospice
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PROMOTIONAL FILMS
TRAILER
DOWNLOAD HD
Click Here
YOUTUBE
http://youtu.be/mNberB51pL4
TEASER 1
DOWNLOAD HD
Click Here
YOUTUBE
http://youtu.be/anH-Pz7qpq4
TEASER 2
DOWNLOAD HD
Click Here
YOUTUBE
http://youtu.be/vg5UofpSuj4
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LINKS
Official Websites
LIFE Before Death
Treat The Pain
www.lifebeforedeath.com
www.treatthepain.com
Project Partner Websites
Lien Foundation
Union for International Cancer Control
International Association for the Study of Pain
Mayday Fund
Institute for Palliative Medicine
San Diego Hospice
Open Society Foundations www.lienfoundation.org
www.uicc.org
www.iasp-pain.org
www.maydayfund.org
www.palliativemed.org
www.sdhospice.org
www.soros.org
Primary Syndication Websites
International Palliative Care Resource Center
Stop Torture in Health Care
Livestrong
Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance
African Palliative Care Association
Pallium India
Pain Policy Studies Group
www.ipcrc.net
www.stoptortureinhealthcare.org
www.livestrong.org
www.wcpa.org
www.apca.org
www.palliumindia.org
www.painpolicy.wisc.edu
Buy DVD
lifebeforedeath.com/movie/order-now.shtml
Join Mailing List
lifebeforedeath.com/movie/signup.shtml
You Tube
youtube.com/LifeBeforeDeathMovie
Facebook
www.facebook.com/pages/Life-Before-Death/115846078494542
Twitter
www.twitter.com/lifebeforedeath
Google +
plus.google.com/101562235941648586483
IMDB
www.imdb.com/title/tt1816569/
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VITAL STATISTICS
This 18 year student being treated by Dr Henry Ddungu at Mulago Cancer Center in
Kampala, Uganda was unable to get her pain controlled and was forced to drop out of
university. Once the supply of morphine was restored to the country with the help of
the UICC’s Global Access to Pain Relief Initiative this patient’s quality of life improved
dramatically and she has now returned to her studies.
“15% of the world uses 93% of the world’s medicinal opioids.”
(Source: 2009 Population estimates from the World Health Organization and estimate of narcotic consumption
for 2009 from the UN International Narcotics Control Board)
“More than 3.3 million people die with untreated moderate or
severe pain from cancer and HIV each year.”
(Source: Estimate of deaths from HIV or cancer in 2009 from the World Health Organization; prevalence of
moderate or severe pain from Foley et al, 1996 and estimate of narcotic consumption for 2009 from the UN
International Narcotics Control Board)
“99.9% of those deaths are in low and middle-income countries.”
(Source: Estimate of deaths from HIV or cancer in 2009 from the World Health Organization; prevalence of
moderate or severe pain from Foley et al, 1996 and estimate of narcotic consumption for 2009 from the UN
International Narcotics Control Board)
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RELATED TOPICS IN THE NEWS
Prescription Drug Diversion
The diversion of prescription drugs such as oxycodone, sometimes called ‘hillbilly heroin’,
has become a serious social problem in developing countries in the past 5 years. Significant
rises to levels of misuse of some medicinal opioids have been identified in the USA and
elsewhere during the past 12 months. Oxycodone is an important and effective drug for
pain management, and health professionals consider its recreational use an issue for law
enforcement, not health professionals.
Euthanasia
The social debate around the legalization of euthanasia is raging in many countries around
the developing world at this time. Palliative care is often considered as the alternative to
euthanasia. Many palliative care workers argue that if pain and symptoms were controlled,
and patients were given the psychological and social support they require, the desire to take
their owns lives would be negated or totally removed.
Drug Addiction & Decriminalisation
Drug trafficking, addiction and related problems affect almost every society worldwide.
Illicit drug use and abuse is a growing problem. In recent years, there have been a greater
proportion of legal drugs being diverted into illegal distribution channels. Generally, the
response has been to tighten regulations and increase punishment, however the response in
some countries has been to legalize the use of previously banned drugs.
Burden of Cancer & HIV/AIDS
In today’s world, everyone will be touched by cancer or AIDS – either as a person living with
the disease, or as a family member or a friend. These two diseases represent the greatest
health burden in the world today. It is estimated that 3.6 million people died with untreated
severe pain from HIV and cancer in 2011; 3.06 million of those deaths from cancer, and 0.55
million of them from HIV.
Mortality
Most of us pretend it won’t happen. Many of us avoid talking about it at all costs. But the
fact of the matter is, we’re all dying. So how are you and I going to die? Is it going to be with
pain and suffering and abandonment and isolation and anxiety and depression? Or is it
going to be with community and support and accompaniment?
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ABOUT
ABOUT
Moonshine Movies
Moonshine Movies was established in 2010 to focus on the development and production
of innovative transmedia experiences. In that time the production company has completed
the LIFE Before Death and Jokes On You projects, generating over 12 hours of cross-platform
programming. Moonshine has several other projects in production and development.
Find out more at www.moonshinemovies.com
Lien Foundation
The Lien Foundation is a philanthropic organisation committed to lead, innovate, empower
and network for the benefit of society. It values institutional capacity building and is inspired
by innovation, collaboration and new solutions. To achieve meaningful results, The Lien
Foundation forges progressive partnerships with organisations, and invests with a long-term
view.
Find out more at www.lienfoundation.org
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
Founded in 1933, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is the largest cancer
fighting organisation of its kind, with more than 400 member organisations across 120
countries. With its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, it is the leading non-governmental,
non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian cancer organisation. UICC’s mission is to
eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations. UICC is committed
to delivering the targets of the World Cancer Declaration through strategic partnerships
involving members and other institutions interested in fighting cancer.
Find out more at www.uicc.org
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
Based in Seattle, USA, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) is the leading
professional forum for science, practice, and education in the field of pain. It brings together
scientists, clinicians, health care providers, and policy makers to stimulate and support the
study of pain, and to translate that knowledge into improved pain relief worldwide. Founded
in 1973, IASP is governed by an international council, made up of Officers and Councilors
elected by IASP members. IASP sponsors research symposia on specific pain-related topics
and provides grants, awards, and fellowships to support international pain research.
Find out more at www.iasp-pain.org
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Mayday Fund
The Mayday Fund is dedicated to alleviating the incidence, degree and consequence
of human physical pain. Established in 1992 to further Shirley Steinman Katzenbach’s
commitment to social and medical causes, Mayday chose its original agenda with the
understanding that creating meaningful change with modest funding is a formidable
challenge. They were aware that excellent research had already led to a wealth of information
about the treatment of pain, but that existing knowledge was not effectively used. As a first
step, they decided to concentrate on closing this gap.
Find out more at www.maydayfund.org
Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice
The Institute for Palliative Medicine (IPM) at San Diego Hospice is committed to relieving
suffering by improving the quality and accessibility of palliative care. IPM, formally known as
the Center for Palliative Studies, was established in 1989. For over 20 years, it has achieved
international recognition for its innovative education programs, patient/family-centred
research and evidence-based advocacy. IPM advances the art and science of palliative care
through the work of its centres and programs, and today the San Diego Hospice is one of the
largest hospice and palliative care programs in the United States.
Find out more at www.palliativemed.org
Open Society Foundations
The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose
governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this mission, the Foundations seek
to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems
and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, the Open Society Foundations implement
a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At
the same time, we build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption
and freedom of information. The Foundations place a high priority on protecting and
improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.
Find out more at www.soros.org
Developed with the assistance of Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
Also supported by the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Pettus Foundation.
Accredited by Documentary Australia Foundation.
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