Kim BrattainFounder/ CEO, Kim Brattain Media · Award-winning Corporate and Documentary Film Producer

American Cancer Society | Mission Film

8 Jul 2025 · 4 min

Watch on YouTube

4:19

The mission film features several speakers sharing intimate cancer experiences and a call to support the American Cancer Society (ACS). Speaker A, a parent of three young children, recounts receiving an interductal carcinoma diagnosis and later a triple‑negative, BRCA‑positive breast cancer at age 36, describing her family’s cancer history, aggressive treatment (chemo, double mastectomy, preventative hysterectomy), and gratitude for daily health. Addison, an 8‑year‑old patient, introduces her family and reveals she has a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, while also speaking on behalf of the Levine Cancer Institute’s innovative project to study genes that metabolize cancer and pain drugs, seeking ACS funding. Speaker C, likely Addison’s caregiver, reflects on how cancer altered their “normal,” discusses Addison’s participation in two clinical trials, and emphasizes the hope that trial data may help future patients. Speaker D, representing ACS, highlights the organization’s role in funding research, urges donations in honor of those affected, and underscores the collective impact of individual contributions. The film weaves personal narratives, specific cancer types, treatment journeys, clinical‑trial involvement, and a persuasive appeal for financial support to advance research and patient care.

Chapters

Come on! So I have 3 small kids. I have an 8-year-old, Mamie. She's my firstborn. Lulu is my 5-year-old, and then Topper is my 3-year-old. So it's just mass chaos.
Have a good day! My name is Addison. I am 8 years old. I have a mom. Her name is Christy. I have a dad. His name is Roland. I have a sister. Her name is Liliana. And I have a brother that is named Oakley. And I have a dog named Valentina.
The nurse called and I immediately knew. She said, you have interductal carcinoma.
I have juvenile polycytic astrocytoma. It is a brain tumor.
Cancer was not on my radar before. Sorry. It could happen to anyone. We had a completely normal life before, but now things are different. We have a different normal. Addison's been on 2 different trials now, and they always tell me this may not be her answer, and I get that. It may not be hers, but she could help provide the information for the next person.
Go swing it, Jamie!
I go and I work out, and I'm grateful every morning that I have the energy and that I'm alive to be able to go work out. I was actually 36 when I got diagnosed. My mother had breast cancer at 30. Her mother had ovarian cancer and passed away at 37. I had what was called triple negative, BRCA positive. We knew that we would give it as much chemo As we could, have the double mastectomy, have the preventative hysterectomy, and I would never have to worry about it again. It would be a rough year, but I get to live for the rest of my life.
You know, one of the wonderful things that the American Cancer Society has done over the years is support research and support researchers. Without the monies coming in, there's no money to give out. So really, it's, it's what we do as individuals, and when the American Cancer Society comes calling, it's important to recognize that.
At Levine Cancer Institute, we're hoping to get some funding from the ACS for a really exciting project which we think is pretty innovative. We're looking at the genes within the body that are responsible for metabolizing new drugs, both cancer drugs and with pain-controlling drugs.
All of us have been touched by cancer, either personally or in our family, our loved ones. And so the concept of making a donation to the American Cancer Society in honor of those we've lost or those who have survived their cancer is very important. And I would urge everybody to make sure they support the work of the American Cancer Society.
Any kind of new research that comes up, It could save my baby. No one person can cure it all, and it does take money, but I think if you have a good team of people working together, we'll get there one day.