Desert Star Weekly Feb. 15, 2017

Page 1

The Coachella Valley Number ‘One’ Desert Local Newspaper

desert

STAR W E E K L Y

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID Desert Hot Springs, CA

‘The Lion’ Roars at Geffen & ‘Circus-1903’ Thrills at Pantages, see page 9. Photo by Mark Turner

PERMIT NO 00005

February 15, 2017 Vol. 10 No. 13

“My Hero Brother”

Hannan Cassel with his brother Enosh who inspired this extraordinary adventure. Photo by Hey Jude Productions

A group of young people with Down syndrome embark on a demanding trek through the Himalayas By Beverly Cohn I just spent five days attending the Santa Barbara Film Festival and for the most part, the features, animated shorts, and documentaries were quite professional and compelling. That said, “My Hero Brother,” a documentary that was particularly outstanding, told

the remarkable and inspiring story about a group of Down syndrome young men and women who go on a two-week trek through the Himalayas with their non-Down syndrome siblings. My Hero Brother won the Best Documentary Film Award and the Audience Choice Award at the festival, as well as awards in Israel.

Brilliantly directed by Israeli filmmaker Yonatan Nir, the genesis of the project began with co-producer Enosh Cassel, who eventually initiated the concept. He wanted to get closer to his brother Hannan, who has Down syndrome, and decided to take him on a journey to Nepal. On his return to Israel, he was

By Madeline Zuckerman The Coachella Valley Chapter of ISRAEL CANCER RESEARCH FUND has announced plans for its major fundraiser of the season. AN EVENING OF INSPIRATION, HOPE & CELEBRATION will take place on Monday, February 27, 2017 at the Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs, honoring former United States Senator Barbara Boxer. Gloria Guttman, Barbara Keller, and Jerry Keller are the evening’s co-chairs, with Patrick Mundt, Chairman of the Coachella Valley Board of ICRF fulfilling emcee duties. “As Co-chairs we are all thrilled former United States Senator Barbara Boxer is our distinguished Honoree,” stated Gloria

Guttman and the Kellers. “She has always been such a forceful advocate for families, children, consumers, the environment, and her State of California. Over the years, she has been a strong proponent of life-saving medical research, having written bipartisan legislation to combat global HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis,” they continued. Keynote Speaker will be accomplished Israeli Scientist, Israel Vlodavsky, Ph.D., who is Professor of the Cancer and Vascular Biology Research Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel. Dr. Vlodavsky will present “From Basic Cancer Research to Therapeutic Applications.” In his

presentation, he will discuss studies supported by ICRF that reveal heparanase (an enzyme involved in tumor growth and metastasis) acts as a master regulator of tumor progression, offering new treatment strategies for various cancers and other diseases. Honorary Chair, Andrew Faas, a cancer survivor himself due to the breakthrough cancer research the ICRF Israeli scientists have conducted, is an author, activitist, philanthropist, and management advisor promoting psychologically healthy, safe, and fair work places. “Were it not for an Israeli scientist, funded by ICRF, I

contacted by other families with Down syndrome siblings who wanted to have the same experience. Eventually, plans were formulated for a group of siblings – Down and their non-Down brother or sister - to embark on a two-week trek through the Himalayas. That unbelievable experience became this extraordinary film.

Under these physically demanding circumstances, even a “normal” person would have a challenge traversing some of the really difficult trails. There were dramatic special moments such as when the adorable Tzlil said she couldn’t go on any further Continues on Page 10

Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer to be honored

Continues on Page 6

Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.