New Film Features Forman’s Foundation: The Catalyst For Good

The Catalyst For Good is the story of one man’s experience of losing his wife to breast cancer and his journey to help other breast cancer patients survive. Video journalist, Phoebe Chongchua of Live Fit Magazine & Films, follows Mark Forman, founder of Forman’s Foundation, and other key volunteers, sponsors, and celebrities as they create funding programs for patients, influential partnerships, and a two-day celebrity golf tournament and gala dinner in San Diego, California to raise money to help those living with the disease.

As the Foundation’s third annual celebrity golf tournament approaches, The Catalyst For Good: Improving Breast Cancer Patients’ Lives is released for air in San Diego on ABC.

“I don’t think there’s anyone on the planet that cancer hasn’t touched,” says actress, Jane Seymour in the documentary. Seymour attended the Forman’s Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament and gala dinner in 2010.

In a short period of time Forman’s Foundation has attracted influential and well-known celebrities, athletes, and San Diego TV personalities, such as Jane Seymour, Tony Gwynn, Kevin Sorbo, Fred Lynn, Nick Lowery, Charlie Joiner, Ted Kwalick, Jeff Barnes, Phoebe Chongchua, and Lynda Martin.

The half-hour short film also follows Iris Reed through her chemotherapy. “My mother had colon cancer. My niece had heart cancer and colon cancer. And my father had cancer. You think about it because your family has it but you don’t think about you having it. I still don’t believe I got it,” says 79-year old Reed.

The film explores the need for funding for testing of two genes well known for predisposing to cancer. Two breast cancer patients share their stories about testing positive for BRCA.

“About 10 percent of all breast cancers are what we call familial or genetically related, meaning that for 10 percent of patients, they may have inherited a genetic mutation that predisposes them toward developing breast cancers and other cancers,” says Dr. Cathie Chung, a featured doctor in the film from The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute.

However, mutations in the large BRCA genes pose a 60 to 80 percent risk of developing breast cancer compared to the general population.
The BRCA testing is a simple blood test much like testing for cholesterol. But, this test costs thousands of dollars and often isn’t covered by insurance companies.

“I was fortunate my insurance did cover it. The cost that was billed to my insurance company was $3,120 for the test. The insurance company didn’t pay that. Obviously, they write down a certain portion of the cost. But for people who don’t have insurance that will pay for it, that is the cost that they are facing. And it’s extraordinary,” says Carol Shinee, a breast cancer survivor featured in the film.

“Even with insurance, a lot of stuff doesn’t get paid for and people have to scrape by,” says Jordon Benson, Sponsor/Pacific Beach AleHouse.

The film carries a powerful educational message about needing to not only raise money for cancer research but also funding for patients suffering from the disease. The Catalyst For Good brings home the importance of a community bonding together to create good from tragedy. The film is sprinkled with celebrities and athletes who add a sense of levity to an otherwise serious matter. One scene shows NFL Chargers player, Mike Scifres, suiting up in padding. But it’s definitely not shoulder pads!

Padres Hall of Fame star, Tony Gwynn, who also battled cancer recently, tells Chongchua, “I think a lot of us feel like sooner or later one day there will be a cure. There will be a cure not only for breast cancer but for a lot of things that ail the human elements.”

Editor’s note: The Catalyst For Good premiers in San Diego in June 2011. For interviews and information about the film please contact, Phoebe Chongchua, info@livefitmagazine.com
(858) 259-3646
San Diego ABC 2011 air dates:
Fri 6/17 – 4:30 a.m.
Sat 6/18 – 6:00 a.m.
Sun 6/19 – 6:00 a.m.
Fri 6/24 – 3:20 a.m.
Fri 6/24 – 4:30 a.m.