Comics offer play for cancer awareness.Byline: Jim Feehan The Register-Guard Laughter may be the best medicine when it comes to better coping with breast cancer. A three-member theater troupe from Connecticut performed twice in Eugene on Sunday, using vaudeville skits to challenge what they say is the conventional wisdom that cancer is caused by personal lifestyle choices. Instead, they assert that cancer is caused by exposure to pesticides and plastic and gasoline additives. The troupe, performing first at the University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. and later at First United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church is a common name for the first United Methodist church established in a particular locality. Many First United Methodist Churches exist around the world. , will offer a third performance Wednesday at the Maude Kerns Maude Irvine Kerns (1879 – 1965) was an American artist. Kerns was born in 1879 in Portland, Oregon, where she was raised by her pioneer parents. After high school, she graduated from the University of Oregon, the California School of Fine Arts and later Columbia University, Art Center. "Body Burden" offers a humorous approach to the topic of breast cancer, said Jake Weinstein, who wrote the script and portrays the protagonists Easton Bismuth bismuth (bĭz`məth) [Ger. Weisse Masse=white mass], metallic chemical element; symbol Bi; at. no. 83; at. wt. 208.9804; m.p. 271.3°C;; b.p. about 1,560°C;; sp. gr. 9.75 at 20°C;; valence +3 or +5. (a street performer) and Edith Bazongas (a patient at a cancer treatment center). "Humor opens up people to look at things in new ways," Weinstein said. The play hits close to home for the troupe's two other actors - Weinstein's wife, Ellen Rubin, and Ariel Aver To specifically allege certain facts or claims in a Pleading. . Rubin was diagnosed with cervical cancer Cervical Cancer Definition Cervical cancer is a disease in which the cells of the cervix become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. 13 years ago and Aver, a preschool teacher A Preschool Teacher is a type of early childhood educator who instructs children from infancy to age 5, which stands as the youngest stretch of early childhood education. Early Childhood Education teachers need to span the continum of children from birth to age 8. from Portland, lost her mother, Reva, to breast cancer a year ago. "It's fundamental that people understand that companies that sell breast cancer treatment This article or section recently underwent a major revision or rewrite and needs further review. You can help! The mainstay of breast cancer treatment is surgery when the tumor is localized, with possible adjuvant hormonal therapy (with tamoxifen or an aromatase drugs and own cancer treatment centers also sell pesticides that contribute to breast cancer," Aver said. In the play, set against a backdrop of a large drawing of a breast and 13 smaller breasts, Weinstein plays a street performer outside a cancer treatment center who morphs into a patient with a little help from some strategically placed balloons. Rubin plays Dr. Weber, a physician at the cancer treatment center, while Aver wears several hats (literally) portraying pharmaceutical and chemical company CEOs who also serve on the board of the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, . Weinstein and Rubin are no strangers to the health care profession. The two are registered nurses as well as longtime performers in New Haven, Conn. Immediately after the 45-minute show, the performers engaged their audience in discussion. Alicia Griggs, a University of Oregon freshman studying Spanish, said the play was illuminating, thanks to the comic touch. "It was easy to follow and listen to," she said. Justine Baily, a first-year UO student in Asian studies, found the play informative. "I didn't know about the pesticide companies," said Baily, whose maternal grandmother died of complications from breast cancer. The play was sponsored by the Oregon Toxics Alliance, and the university's Center for the Study of Women in Society, Student Health Center and Environmental Studies Program. "BODY BURDEN" A play about breast cancer and the claim that man-made chemicals contribute to the development of the disease When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Where: Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E. 15th Ave. Cost: Suggested donation of $5 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion