I promised I wouldn't disclose what I know. It is a national TV ad campaign for a large drug company that has historically supported another head and neck cancer group, and even when OCF has helped them, such as getting a celebrity to do a pitch for them, done nothing for us in return.

That other H&N organization views us, not as co combatants against a mutual enemy, but as competition, so they don't tell people about our message boards, the many pages of content on our site, nor our news feeds, even though they do not have these things themselves. I don't have to tell you what that makes me feel about the people that run it.

Because I believe in ANYTHING that helps the cause, I allowed them to post on our boards looking for people. That's all I can say. Believe me, no one engages in a national ad campaign on TV just because they are good guys. The only oral cancer TV spots that are not selling anything are the ones that OCF has done with Klugman and Danner, and do not promote any product or organization. If you are new here, you can see these one minute ads on the multimedia page of the main web site or on you tube. Do a search for Blythe Danner and another for Jack Klugman) Public service promotions are not cheap, and we do what we can when the opportunity makes itself available. This current project, in the end, is about promoting a treatment product via telling the stories of cancer patients, (even if those patients are actors) and it is of course therefore about MONEY. There isn't necessarily a dichotomy between doing good in the world and making money.

I haven't got rejected yet, but am waiting.

Brian,

Being well aware of whom you speak, perhaps there will be a change in attitude as the leader is stepping down from her role this year.

I'll bet when you allowed the two agents to post on the board, you never imagined it would turn into anything like this. I hope that they are true in their words as I was told after the interview, "We will not be selling anything". One could only assume that their company name and their product will be mentioned somewhere, before, during or after the interviews.

Before I committed to traveling to New York, I had asked Caroline if they were only looking for survivors that had chemo as part of their treatment. She had assured me that this was not the case. I think that if they really want to do a true public service they would want to include someone like me, to show that early detection not only saves lives, but can help to avoid treatment above and beyond surgery.

However, this is all pure speculation as we have no idea how they want to present things and as you feel, so do I, that anything that brings public awareness to the forefront, will be good for our cause.

Jim,

It appears the nobody has gotten a rejection yet. I believe that only those that will be in the ad will be contacted after the first email. Sometime early next week, as the shoot is still planned for 12/2 as far as I know.

Jerry

I have they don't want us crazy Canuks lmao...

Please be aware that those that asked here on the boards for patients to help out, are probably continuing to read these threads...... Let's be kind.

I agree with Brian on this. I always like to give people as much time as needed to do a task. Hell, I can't be mean to anyone except maybe for a few seconds, then I am fine with them again.

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.

You did a great job Colleen. Even I understood your answer.. Thanks

Beautifully said, Colleen. I wholeheartedly agree.

I would add that as I stated above in my last post, no commercial about Oral Cancer would be complete without something about the importance of early detection and the amount of suffering that can be avoided by a Stage I diagnosis.

I thought it was a great experience going through the audition process, something that I never dreamed of having the opportunity to do. Everyone there created a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. The thank you note from Terry was a very nice touch and I thank Colleen for taking the time to write to Terry so that we would all better understand the process of how the decisions are made as to who will be picked to do the commercial.

Jerry

Brian, I think it is a testament to the good work of OCF that when I Google an HNC-related term or condition, there is invariably at least one reference to the OCF site!