New York, NY, Dec. 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Who would dare to pit one fatal disease against another… inside the body of a seven-year-old patient? Immunologist Dr. Carl June is achieving amazing results with a medical breakthrough almost too good to believe: he and his team are reengineering the HIV virus to fight cancer cells.
This groundbreaking cancer research is at the heart of a new Focus Forward short, "Fire With Fire," directed by Oscar-winning director Ross Kauffman (Born Into Brothels). The film revolves around the incredible and inspiring story of Emma Whitehead, a seven-year-old leukemia patient who has been in full remission for months after scientists used Dr. June's experimental treatment at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Emma was the first pediatric patient in the trial, which aims to eradicate cancer by training a person's own immune system to kill their cancer cells.
At first I was nervous that this was going to be solely a piece
about a new technology," said Kauffman. "Discovering Dr. June and
his team's emotional investment and personal drive to find a cure
for cancer was, and continues to be, an inspiration. As soon as
Emma's story came to light, it was clear that this film would serve
not just as a chronicle of a revolutionary therapy for leukemia,
but a portrait of a caring team of doctors, alongside a courageous
young girl, trying to overcome a terrible disease."
"Fire With Fire" is helping spread awareness about what
researchers believe could mark the beginning of a major advance in
cancer treatment. The film, produced by DB Productions, a
subsidiary of DeSantis
Breindel, world premieres today, as part of a special event in
the Dubai International Film Festival's (DIFF) Forum.
Watch the film here: http://www.dbproductionsnyc.com/
About DB Productions
DB Productions is a full-service film production company with
extensive experience serving a wide range of clients, foundations,
not-for-profit organizations and corporations. From concept and
storyboard through production, post-production and delivery, the DB
Productions team shares a passion for communicating our clients'
most important messages to their most important audiences in
compelling films. http://www.dbproductionsnyc.com/
DB Productions is a subsidiary of DeSantis Breindel, a B2B branding
and marketing firm. http://www.desantisbreindel.com/
About Focus Forward
Short Films, Big Ideas is a series of 30 three-minute
nonfiction films, inspired by GE's vision of innovative people
being the catalyst for world change. Produced by leading
documentary filmmakers, the films explore the incredible human
power of ideas and invention and are screening at prestigious film
festivals globally, followed by day-and-date distribution online to
millions of viewers. To learn more, go to http://focusforwardfilms.com/