Launch of DVD – “Side by Side”

12 October 2011 What started off as a casual conversation between a Redcliffe Hospital oncologist and his patient has since grown into a ground-breaking documentary and a new national breast cancer support campaign. The 30-minute film and campaign, both called Side by Side, are set to launch at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre on Friday 28 October as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Side by Side’s narrator, Jayne Coe, (who also happens to be the aforementioned ‘patient’) said the film would be distributed nationally as a free DVD and it was targeting newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. “Unfortunately, the potential audience for this film is very high: an estimated one in nine Australian women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime,” Jayne said. She said Side by Side was a much-needed resource and unlike any other film in the country. “Side by Side differs in that it comprehensively covers all stages of the breast cancer journey and doesn’t just focus on one aspect of treatment,” Jayne said. “Often when someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, everything happens so quickly they don’t have time to catch their breath, and they rarely know what’s going to happen to them or where to get support. This film is a roadmap to that support. “It provides a very non-clinical, guided tour of the host of services, resources and people that are out there to help support the patient along their individual breast cancer journey. “And it’s a journey that certainly should not be travelled alone. There are plenty of people who can be by your side.” Side by Side also aims to help take the fear factor out of some of the medical stages of the journey. “It’s important that people know what they’re going into, to demystify it and take the scare factor out of things,” Jayne said. “If people know what to expect, then they know not to expect the worst. This film will certainly help make people feel less anxious and sends a very powerful message of hope.” Tickets to Side by Side’s national premiere are $25 and are available from the Redcliffe Cultural Centre via www.redcliffeculturalcentre.com.au or phone (07) 3283 0407. Proceeds from the event (which will offer champagne and canapés upon arrival) will go towards the film’s national DVD distribution and website. The Zonta Club of Redcliffe raised the funds to make the film which was produced by Brisbane-based film company, Flickchicks. As a member of Zonta International, the Zonta Club of Redcliffe is a service club that raises money for projects that improve the status of women both in our local community and internationally. Zonta Club of Redcliffe president, Gail Jennings, said the Club’s members were “immensely proud to be involved in this unique important project”. “The Side by Side project is a classic case of ‘from little things, big things grow’,” Gail said. “About 14,000 Australian women are likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer next year, if this film and campaign can provide support and guidance to many of these women, how wonderful is that?” MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Jayne Coe, Side by Side’s ‘tour guide’: mob 0457 426 806 Margie Brown, Flickchicks producer: mob 0404 062 807 The Flickchicks Coop/ Office: (07) 3136 2578