Information about LUNAFEST, the Luna organization,
About LUNAFEST
the Breast Cancer Foundation,
the Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
and other Cincinnati Area Breast Cancer Organizations.
LUNAFEST
Started in 2001, LUNAFEST is an annual film festival that tours nationally. Beginning with a handful of venues, the festival has grown significantly each year and will reach approximately 100 communities via the current tour.
LUNAFEST screenings are special evenings where women (and their friends, families, partners, husbands and boyfriends) can gather to view a selection of diverse films that embody a wide range of topics. The works range from documentaries and narratives to animated shorts and cover subjects such as women's health, relationships, cultural and racial diversity, sexuality and spirituality.
LUNAFEST was created to support women on a number of levels:
Benefits of Collaboration
In addition to providing national exposure for emerging women filmmakers, LUNAFEST supports women's health and local communities by allocating and donating a portion of the proceeds generated at each festival to the Breast Cancer Fund. For the LUNAFEST events here in Cincinnati on the first weekend in May, Cincinnati World Cinema is the local host organization. To foster awareness of breast cancer and support those who involved in the breast cancer cause in our community, we have elected to earmark a portion of our ticket sales for the Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati. By taking this approach, not only is breast cancer awareness supported at the national level, but also here in our hometown, as well. As with all CWC presentations, the bulk of ticket sale proceeds go to support our all-volunteer, non-profit film organization, so that we may continue to bring important films to the Cincinnati metro area.
By continuing our four-year tradition of collaboration with local organizations and causes, Cincinnati World Cinema is able to synergistically join forces with other groups and optimize the impact of our film-and-discussion events, as well as the theme or issue that is specific to each event. Collectively, participating organizations benefit, as does the public, as we work together to improve the fabric of life in our community.
About LUNA
The genesis of Luna is straightforward, but no less significant for its simplicity. In Berkeley California, there is a company named Clif Bar, Inc. They make energy bars, primarily for athletes. In the late 1990s the women at Clif Bar, in response to their own needs and those of their friends, developed a product they called the Luna Bar, a nutritional bar with natural contents formulated to benefit women during and after pregnancy. Consumers soon discovered that a tasty product that provided 100% of daily requirements for essential vitamins and folic acid was a great thing and its popularity spread beyond expectant mothers to all women, and men as well.
The resultant focus of LUNA is notable because of their clear and consistent commitment to improving the lives of their customers. Luna of course is in business to stay in business, but their philosophical model is conveyed through their operations and the programs and causes they support. The LUNAFEST film festival is one of several programs embraced by the organization. Please visit www.lunabar.com to learn more about their story, programs and products. If you are an aspiring filmmaker, or know someone who is, please check with the good folks at LUNAFEST regarding film submission procedures.
The Breast Cancer Fund (BCF)
The Breast Cancer Fund (BCF) identifies and advocates for the elimination of the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease. Founded in 1992, BCF works from the knowledge that breast cancer is not simply a personal tragedy, but a public health priority that demands action from all.
BCF tirelessly fights to challenge the myths and perceptions surrounding breast cancer while providing inspiration to the women who suffer from the disease. Through public education, prevention and public policy initiatives, BCF mobilizes the public and secures the institutional changes and legislative reforms necessary to eliminate the environmental links to breast cancer
The Breast Cancer Fund was a founding partner of LUNAFEST in 2001, and LUNA continues to honor their work by directing 15% of all proceeds of LUNAFEST to their cause. In reciprocal fashion, LUNA is a primary corporate sponsor of the Breast Cancer Foundation. As such, LUNA is an active partner via financial support, event sponsorship, and participation in its programs to prevent breast cancer. LUNA's commitment to BCF is consistent with its long-term commitment to providing healthy food and a clean environment. With the wide reaching effects of breast cancer, and the devastating number of women diagnosed each year, the women of LUNA are proud to join in the fight and support BCF's mission. To learn more about the Breast Cancer Foundation please visit www.breastcancerfund.org.
The Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (BCA)
The Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati is committed to making breast cancer issues a top priority in the public and private sectors, through advocacy, education and communication. The BCA is an independent non-profit, volunteer organization that works collaboratively with other organizations to support these efforts.
Founded in 1994 by Linda Heines and a small group of survivors, the BCA focuses on education and advocacy for innovative breast cancer research. In addition to proactive involvement in the crafting of national legislation and policy, BCA members and volunteers reach out to the community - sponsoring awareness events, survivor celebrations and dissemination of evolving information regarding diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The BCA publishes a semi-annual newsletter and collaborates with other breast cancer organizations in the greater Cincinnati area.
Cincinnati World Cinema is proud to help with the furtherance of breast cancer awareness and the mission of the BCA. Please contact the Breast Cancer Alliance of Cincinnati to learn more about, and to support, their important work. 513-588-4142, bcacincy@yahoo.com and www.bcacincy.org.
Other Area Breast Cancer Organizations
There are a number of groups in the metro area that perform important work in fostering awareness of breast cancer and supporting those diagnosed with breast cancer.
Two organizations of note are the PRG and BCR. The Pink Ribbon Girls focus on helping young breast cancer survivors. To learn more about the Pink Ribbon Girls, call 513.207.7975 or visit www.pinkribbongirls.org. The Breast Cancer Registry of Greater Cincinnati focuses on the causes of breast cancer, a crucial first step in prevention, by gathering data from those diagnosed with the disease. Please 513.558.0854 and visit www.eh.uc.edu/breastcancerregistry
Other organizations include The Breast Answer Group, www.breastanswergroup.com; the Cincinnati Breast Cancer & the Environment Research Center, www.eh.uc.edu/growingupfemale; and two organizations that serve the African-American community - The Sisters Network, www.sistersnetworkinc.org/chapters.htm/; and Patterns, Inc., patternsinc@aol.com.
Along with numerous national organizations, these local groups do important work. Please visit their websites, learn more and support their efforts.
Yelena Wetherill is a post-doctoral fellow with the Cincinnati Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Center at the U. C. College of Medicine. She will be going to Russia this summer to initiate breast cancer awareness programs in the Siberian city of Irkutsk. To learn more about her project, click here.