I don't believe that any of us who were auditioned are discontent with the process. We were simply confused by the email that was so seemingly well written but so inconclusive in its information. If they are to film on Dec. 2, I and others needed to know whether the initial email was a rejection or simply a statement of appreciation for our participation. We've got Life to Live and needed to know whether or not to cross "becoming a big star" off our calendars or whether to keep the day open. No complaints or criticisms were involved. I appreciate Terry's considerable time spent in writing to each of us and to writing to me several times, as I tried to get clarification.

I so hope that they are able to use real OC survivors instead of actors. I am certain that actors are easier to work with, but how could they ever talk about something that they haven't experienced??

So Terry and Caroline, if you're listening....we very much appreciate your patience, and we love the fact that you are attempting to recruit real OC patients, even though we know that it makes your work more complex and difficult. We also are all personally committed to making a difference through our disease, and we are pleased at the opportunity to do that through your film. This is why we are all so anxious to participate! This is our chance to make a difference....to increase public awareness of a form of cancer that is terrible and deadly and that doesn't receive much attention.

I hope in the process that you, Terry and Caroline and your director and producer, will make certain that the public knows that help is available 24/7 at several oral cancer websites, the best of which is this Oral Cancer Foundation website. The information available is invaluable to the public and to patients as well, and the support is vital to each of us going through this difficult journey. For oral cancer patients to have to go through this without knowing that help is so close is a shame.

Terry and Caroline...and your crews...Thanks for coming to us and for listening to us. Please get our story out! Please use real patients, speaking from their hearts, and even through their tears, rather than actors who know nothing about the difficulties of this particular cancer!!

I look forward to seeing your final product. If it prevents even ONE person from suffering the destruction of un-diagnosed head-and-neck cancer, it will have been worth all the effort.

Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!