An appeal to support Stronger for Life, a documentary in the works on fitness expert Ilaria Montagnani, breast cancer survivor

by leslierankowfinearts

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I am writing you a personal note in my unexpected role of Executive Producer of a documentary, Stronger for Life, the story of a very dear friend and international fitness expert, Ilaria Montagnani, and her battle with breast cancer.

Ilaria is extremely private but when diagnosed two years ago, she determined that she would share her journey to help cancer victims and their families and to advocate early detection. Ilaria  is proof that her lifetime dedication to developing physical strength and fitness and to always strive to reach the highest levels of accomplishment serve to create a mental armor that can change the quality of every life in facing adversity of every kind.

Please take a minute to look at the website and trailer.

http://www.strongerforlife.film

We have an excellent editor and cinematographer, an Emmy-award winning consulting producer, strong footage which includes interviews with the cancer surgeon and plastic surgeon at Mt. Sinai,  Ilaria’s treatment choices and painful recover, the story of Ilaria’s family in Florence, Italy, and her father’s death from cancer last year, her achievements in the fitness world as a Nike Spokesperson and recipient of the Equinox Life Time Achievement Award, countless television and media coverage, and most of all, the impact, as an athlete, that cancer had on her livelihood, her work and her mission in life to help others. Ilaria’s determination and strength in the face of this diagnosis is a lesson for us all.

The Crowdfunding and Kickstarter campaigns were very successful thanks to Ilaria’s friends, family and  her fitness community  but we need more to complete the film, for post-production, film festival entries, marketing and distribution.  Some obvious organizations and charities include breast cancer groups, fitness companies, Nike, Equinox, Mt. Sinai,  women entrepreneur organizations, health brands such as Garden of Life and Bulletproof and Italian American organizations. All contributions are tax-deductible through Creative Visions’ fiscal sponsorship.

If this appeal resonates with you, please donate what you can and please share this email with your friends and colleagues. If you serve on a committee or a board that might be a candidate for corporate sponsorship or a grant, please let me know and I would be very pleased to contact them.

Thank you for your support. It means more to me than I can say

Sincerely,

Leslie