force Events
in the family
First time here?
If you found us through In The Family, welcome to OUR family. Read below for information on how to find the support, information, or resources you may need to understand, discuss, or make decisions about hereditary cancer risk. We also recommend you visit our Getting Started page to see an overview of all the information we have to offer.
If you would like support or would like to speak with someone faced hereditary cancer risk:
Please visit our chat-room or call our toll-free helpline at:
866-824-RISK
which will be staffed with trained volunteers for extended hours after the documentary airing. Also visit our FORCE community message boards and/or check to see if we have a local FORCE group in your area .
If you would like to speak with a board-certified genetic counselor or have questions about whether the cancer in your family may be hereditary:
If you would like to speak by telephone with a board-certified genetic counselor:
FORCE is collaborating with Informed Medical Decisions, Inc to provide access to board-certified genetic counselors to answer your general question about genetics*. If you would like to ask a general question for a board-certified genetic counselor you can call toll-free:
866-288-7475, extension 704.
A genetic counselor from INFORMED will return your call within 48 hours.
*It is not INFORMED’s intention to provide medical advice. We provide information only. INFORMED urges you to consult with a qualified health care professional for answers to any personal medical questions.
If you would like to send an e-mail or post on a discussion board with questions for a board-certified genetic counselor:
The Point Of View website has a special In The Family section. This site contains an: Ask A Genetic Counselor page with genetic counselor volunteers from the National Society of Genetic Counselors and Informed Medical Decisions who will answer questions by e-mail or discussion board.
How much do you sacrifice to survive?
At 27, filmmaker Joanna Rudnick tested positive for a BRCA mutation and was faced with an impossible decision: remove her healthy breasts and ovaries or risk incredible odds of developing cancer. In the Family follows Joanna’s journey through the unpredictable world of predictive genetic testing.
The documentary aired on October 1, 2008 on PBS' POV. Some stations are airing encores of the documentary. Check local listings for times by visiting: http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html. This local station finder also has TV schedules. You can also view a streaming video of the documentary on the PBS website.
FORCE is proud to be a part of In the Family. We are participating in screening parties and panel discussions across the US to celebrate the film’s release.
You will see FORCE members, supporters, and programs throughout the film:
- A “Life is a Carnival” film sequence conducted during the 2006 Joining FORCE’s Conference.
- A FORCE support group meeting in Philadelphia.
- Filming of our 2006 and 2007 Joining FORCE’s conference, including talks by Dr. Stephen Narod, Dr. Rebecca Sutphen and Dr. Susan Love.
- A FORCE Passing of the Torch event and memorial to Linda Pedraza in Boston.
- The Villegas family, FORCE members whose family story is followed in the film.
Very important to FORCE and our community was the participation of Linda Pedraza (left), shown in many scenes as she bravely faced breast cancer following completement of treatment for ovarian cancer. Linda was a member of the FORCE Board of Directors and a staunch patient advocate for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. She survived ovarian cancer only to succumb at age 45 of breast cancer.
We have created a scholarship fund in Linda's name to honor her memory.
Donations to the fund are tax deductible; 100% of your donation provides financial support to people who cannot afford to attend our national conference.
In the Family screenings
All screenings are open to the public and FREE of charge. We appreciate any donation you make in support of FORCE, either at an event, to our scholarship fund, or through a general donation. FORCE receives no government funding and relies on the philanthropic support of our community to continue educating, advocating for and supporting families at high risk.
Check back for screenings of In The Family in your area. If you would like to schedule a screening please contact us at: info@facingourrisk.org.
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Purchase a copy of In the Family
You can purchase an advance copy of the DVD In the Family which includes extras features and additional scenes.