Hidden From Light Screens in San Diego
The important documentary Hidden From Light had its first screening in San Diego, California on October 16, 2009. The premier was held at the New Children’s Museum with more than 200 people in attendance. In this film, award-winning director Brian Knappenberger tells the story of a medical team who travel to treat children of a remote Guatemalan village suffering with XP and to gather data that could dramatically alter the way skin cancer is treated throughout the world. In hopes of sparing the life of Juana and other children, doctors transform a makeshift medical facility into a full-scale operating room. The team overcomes great obstacles to perform life saving reconstructive cancer surgery in an isolated jungle.
The film tells the story simply and powerfully and the audience was visibly moved. Two young girls with XP who reside in the US addressed the audience to say a few words about their personal experience with living a UV-free lifestyle. Seven year old Aimee Milota showed everyone the special hat she wears with the UV-protective face shield. She welcomed everyone to the screening and thanked them for their support. Andrea Monroy poignantly spoke of how bravely she faces the trials of living a relatively lonely life for an American teenager who cannot go outside freely. She held her head high and beamed out to all the people there who in return burst into loud and loving applause.
The evening was truly a celebration starting with a cocktail hour and delicious gourmet buffet dinner. While people noshed on the food catered by TK&A, live music from Eve Selis played adding still more beauty to the museum’s gathering areas. Guests had time also to browse through the many silent auction offerings and prepare for the live auction. The latter proved to be great fun with many items getting great action from a receptive bunch of supporters. The culmination though was when the opportunity to fund particular aspects of aiding the children in Guatemala as well as funding other support activities of the XPFSG arose. The most exciting item funded was a UV-protective building for the villages.
The entire evening was so successful, both in raising awareness for both the needs of the children in Guatemala and the work of XPFSG, but also in raising necessary funds to accomplish it all. We all look forward to the next screening which will be held in Sacramento!
