Many have enjoyed a visit to Born in the Fifties since it’s launch earlier this year and there are plenty of great comments to read on many topics so take some time and visit www.borninthefifties.com.au
MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS is the Memory of the Month so have some fun and remember a time when you found money in the Christmas pudding, a hot roast meal was always served no matter how hot the weather and it was possibly the only time you ate chicken. It is an easy to use website, lots of fun, with no cost involved and no membership required.
Join the fun and take a stroll down memory lane for a while.

Many people are enjoying a stroll down memory lane on an exciting new website created for anyone Born in the 1940’s or the years before. Join the the fun and visit www.bornintheforties.com.au as it is a fun easy to use website with no cost involved and no membership required.
Do you remember the first car you owned or the first job after leaving school? Read all the great comments already posted and leave a few as well. Take a look at the Memory of the Month – MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS – remember the fun of eating Christmas pudding and finding money in your slice.
Take a look and enjoy your visit – Robyn

Win Gifts for you and Dad for Christmas – just Draw it!
At Thanks Dad Photo Competition we like to celebrate the wonderful things men do with their children – and hope to encourage more men to spend fun times with their children. We don’t just want to thank the Dads, but also the really important grandfathers, uncles, step dads, foster dads and older brothers who mean so much to so many children

We receive some lovely little sketches that children draw of themselves and their dads and we thought it would be great to run a seperate competition to encourage children to send in a drawing of themselves and their dad, uncle, grandad or other important man in their lives. Age will be taken into consideration in judging. Entries can be either scanned and emailed to us at [email protected] or post to us at Thanks Dad National Photo Competition, P.O. Box 1005, Lismore, NSW 2480.

There will be 2 winners who will receive Prizes of $50 Book vouchers for each of their lucky dads (or uncles, grandads etc) that they can give for Christmas as well as vouchers for $25 for the lucky children to choose a great book – perhaps on drawing! – for themselves. The organisers reserve the right to increase the number of prizes if we receive sufficient numbers of entries!

Entries close on 20th December and winners will be notified on the 21st December 2010. For more information on Thanks Dad please go to www.thanksdadphotos.org.au . The National Thanks Dad Photo Competition is a non-profit, community initiative auspiced by Youth Connections North Coast, Lismore NSW, Funded by FaHCSIA-Family Relationship Services Program- Men & Family Relationships.

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Impressive list of nominees for Asia Pacific Screen Awards on December 2
By Rama Gaind

The fourth annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) will be held on Australia’s Gold Coast on December 2, 2010.

APSA is an international cultural initiative of the Queensland State Government, Australia, through Events Queensland.

In a unique collaboration it brings together Paris-based UNESCO and FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations).

The nominees in the fourth annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards are:

BEST FEATURE FILM

Tangshan dadizheng (Aftershock)
People’s Republic of China (Mainland China / Hong Kong)
Produced by Guo Yanhong, Han Sanping, Wang Zhonjun, Peter Lam Kin Ngok, Wang Tonguan and Albert Yeung.

Bal (Honey)
Turkey/Germany
Produced by Semih Kaplanoðlu.
Co-produced by Johannes Rexin, Bettina Brokemper.

Mengjia (Monga)
Taiwan
Produced by Lee Lieh and Doze Niu Chen-zer.

Paju
Republic of Korea
Produced by Kim Ju-kyung and Lee Eun.

Shi (Poetry)
Republic of Korea
Produced by Lee Joon-dong.

BEST CHILDREN’S FEATURE FILM

Boy
New Zealand
Produced by Ainsley Gardiner, Cliff Curtis and Emanuel Micheal.
Co-produced by Merata Mita.

Bran Nue Dae
Australia
Produced by Robyn Kershaw and Graeme Isaac.

Shui Yuet Sun Tau (Echoes of the Rainbow)
Hong Kong (People’s Republic of China)
Produced by Mabel Cheung.
Co-produced by Candy Leung.

Digari (The Other)
Islamic Republic of Iran
Produced by Mohammad Ali Najafi.

Udaan
India
Produced by Sanjay Singh, Anurag Kashyap and Ronnie Screwvala.
Co-produced by Aarti Bajaj, Zarina Mehta, Deven Khote and Siddarth Roy Kapur.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Ibara no Ou (King of Thorn)
Japan
Produced by Yasumasa Tsuchiya.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole
Australia/USA
Produced by Zareh Nalbandian.

Mai Mai Shinko to Sennen no Maho (Mai Mai Miracle)
Japan
Produced by Tomohiko Iwase, Miho Ichii and Ryoichiro Matsuo.

Hottarake no Shima – Haruka to Maho no Kagami (Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror)
Japan
Produced by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and Chihiro Kameyama.

Piercing I
People’s Republic of China
Produced by Lynne Wang.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM

12 Angry Lebanese: The Documentary
Lebanon
Produced by Zeina Daccache.

Budrus
Palestinian Territories/Israel/USA
Produced by Ronit Avni, Julia Bacha and Rula Salameh.
Co-produced by Sandi DuBowski and Darius Fisher.

Enemies of the People
Cambodia/United Kingdom
Produced by Robert Lemkin and Thet Sambath.

Karamay
People’s Republic of China
Produced by Zhu Rikun

Last Train Home
People’s Republic of China/Canada
Produced by Mila Aung-Thwin and Daniel Cross.
Co-produced by Bob Moore.

BEST SCREENPLAY

Su Xiaowei for Tangshan dadizheng (Aftershock)
People’s Republic of China (Mainland China/Hong Kong)

Hisako Kurosawa and Koji Wakamatsu for Caterpillar
Japan

Nir Bergman for Ha’dikduk ha’pnimi (Intimate Grammar)
Israel

Samuel Maoz for Levanon (Lebanon)
Israel/France/Germany

Lee Chang-dong for Shi (Poetry)
Republic of Korea

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY

Lu Yue for Tangshan dadizheng (Aftershock)
People’s Republic of China (Mainland China/Hong Kong)

Bariþ Özbiçer for Bal (Honey)
Turkey/Germany

Jake Pollock for Mengjia (Monga)
Taiwan

Santosh Sivan and V. Manikandan for Raavan
India

Sudhir Palsane for Vihir (The Well)
India

BEST PERFORMANCE BY ACTRESS

Xu Fan for Tangshan dadizheng (Aftershock)
People’s Republic of China (Mainland China/Hong Kong)

Tejaswini Pandit for Mee Sindhutai Sakpal (I am Sindhutai Sakpal)
India

Seo Woo for Paju
Republic of Korea

Yun Jung-hee for Shi (Poetry)
Republic of Korea

Yu Nan for Fang Zhi Gu Niang (Weaving Girl)
People’s Republic of China

BEST PERFORMANCE BY ACTOR

Chen Daoming for Tangshan dadizheng (Aftershock)
People’s Republic of China (Mainland China/Hong Kong)

Tony Barry for Home by Christmas
New Zealand

Sergei Puskepalis for Kak ya provel etim letom (How I Ended This Summer)
Russian Federation

Mark Ivanir for The Human Resources Manager
Israel/Germany/France/Romania

Atul Kulkarni for Natarang
India

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING

Feng Xiaogang for Tangshan dadizheng (Aftershock)
People’s Republic of China (Mainland China/Hong Kong)

Semih Kaplanoðlu for Bal (Honey)
Turkey/Germany

Doze Niu Chen-zer for Mengjia (Monga)
Taiwan

Lee Chang-dong for Shi (Poetry)
Republic of Korea

Wang Quan An for Fang Zhi Gu Niang (Weaving Girl)
People’s Republic of China

Three additional major awards will be presented for outstanding achievement:

1. FIAPF Award FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations will determine the winner of the award for outstanding achievement in film in the Asia-Pacific region.

2. UNESCO Award* The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of cultural diversity through film.

3. Screen International Jury Grand Prize* The Jury can, at its discretion, present a further award: the Jury Grand Prize.

In addition, the APSA NETPAC Development Prize will be awarded ahead of the APSA Ceremony – a prize of US$5000 offered by APSA in collaboration with the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) to a filmmaker from within the pool of nominees. The recipient of the APSA NETPAC Development Prize is decided by three members of the APSA Nominations Council who are also NETPAC members and is designed to nurture new and rising talent in the region.

*Nominees and nominated films from all award categories are eligible for these prizes to be decided by the APSA Jury.

More than 1.7 million Australians living with presbyopia (age-related loss of near vision) are set to benefit from the launch of Australia’s first laser eye treatment that can eliminate the need for reading glasses in just 20 seconds.
The groundbreaking IntraCORT procedure uses a minimally invasive laser to reshape the cornea without damaging the outer layers of the eye. Because the procedure requires no general anaesthetic, injections, or blades, it promotes fast healing, with a minimal risk of infection and can significantly improve near vision one day post-procedure.
According to ophthalmic surgeon and Australian pioneer of this breakthrough technology, Dr Kerrie Meades, presbyopia is one of Australia’s most common eye conditions.
“To date, the only treatments available to correct near vision were reading glasses, contact lenses or invasive laser eye surgery,” said Dr Meades.
“Conventional laser eye surgery typically involves cutting open the outer layers of the eye in order to direct the laser to the inner cornea. This method results in longer healing times and higher risks of infection.
“With the IntraCORTM procedure, no surgical cuts to the outer eye or removal of tissue is required,” Dr Meades said.
“The procedure is quick and painless, taking just 20 seconds to perform.”
Without damaging the outer layers of the eye, the non-surgical procedure involves delivering a painless laser beam directly into the stroma (deep layer of the cornea), where gas bubbles form into microscopic rings.
The gas bubbles dissolve within two-to-three hours post-surgery. When the cornea clears, distance vision returns, and the patient may immediately notice a change in near vision. By the end of the first day post-procedure, patients can already see an improvement in their near vision.
As the entire pattern of applied laser depends on the patient’s visual disturbance, the result is a personalised and accurate treatment with minimal risk of infection.
“The IntraCORTM procedure not only improves near vision, but can also enhance distance vision in some instances. Also, the shadow or halo effect in night time vision associated with conventional treatments is significantly reduced with this new procedure,” said Dr Meades.
“This is the first time this level of visual independence has been achieved without invasive laser surgery. The improvements to quality of life mean that our patients can maintain an active, independent lifestyle without constantly reaching for or worrying about their reading glasses.”
The IntraCORTM procedure is suitable for adult patients seeking to improve their near vision and permanently reduce their reliance on glasses or contact lenses.
According to former presbyopic patient, Mr Andrew Davis, 46, Sydney, the life-changing IntraCORTM procedure has restored his near vision. He is now able to read fine print without the use of his reading glasses.
“My near vision started deteriorating about two years ago, and it became progressively harder for me to focus on the fine print.
“My work requires me to be able to see long distance as well as up close. I wasn’t accustomed to wearing glasses, so was frustrated with constantly having to put my reading glasses on, have my eyes adjust to them, only to have to take them off again. Then after removing my glasses it would take time for my eyes to readjust. The strain on my eyes from the constant readjustment would cause me to experience headaches almost every day,” said Mr Davis.
“On the day of my procedure I was a bit anxious, but it was all thoroughly explained to me, so I knew what to expect. Before I knew it, the procedure was already over and I was allowed to go home.”
On the day of treatment, anaesthetic drops are placed in the patients’ eye while they are lying down on a laser bed. A laser beam is then accurately positioned on the cornea using a sterile patient interface device. The treatment takes only 20 seconds to complete and near vision typically improves within just a few hours.
“When returning home after the procedure, I was surprised that I could already read the newspaper without my reading glasses,” Mr Davis said.
“I am no longer plagued by headaches from eye strain and am enjoying my new life post-glasses. To virtually restore my near vision is extraordinary.”
For patients who may have lost the ability to read for up to several decades, the procedure can provide a welcome restoration of vision, where daily tasks such as reading, using a mobile phone, and leafing through catalogues, can become hassle-free once again.
Not only does IntraCOR improve quality of life, but the long-term cost savings from a one-off IntraCOR procedure compared to a lifetime of prescription lenses can be significant. The total treatment cost for IntraCOR is less than $5,000.
For more information about IntraCOR, call 1300 68 3937 or visit www.intracor.com.au.

About presbyopia
In 2005, the estimated global impact of presbyopia was 1.04 billion people. An ageing population means that presbyopia will soon affect over 40 per cent of the world’s population. A recent study has put the number of presbyopes at 1.04 billion – estimated to grow to 1.4 billion by 2020. Currently, more than 1.7 million Australians experience this condition.
Presbyopia involves the progressive and inevitable loss of ability to focus on near objects. While its exact mechanisms are unknown, research suggests the lens naturally loses its elasticity with age, so the restricted curvature makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects or images.The first signs of presbyopia – eyestrain, difficulty seeing in dim light, problems focusing on small objects and/or fine print – usually occur between 40 to 50 years of age.
Presbyopia makes every day activities, such as reading, difficult or impossible, and without the aid of reading glasses or contact lenses, people often find they need to hold books, magazines, newspapers, and other reading material at arm’s length in order to focus properly.
Presbyopia poses an important public health challenge, for it could potentially compromise the older population’s ability to maintain its social and economic independence without the use of visual aids.
To date, surgical attempts to correct presbyopia have included invasive laser treatments which involve surgical wound healing and potential inflammation at the site.

International jury named for 2010 Asia Pacific Screen Awards
By Rama Gaind

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards has unveiled the international jury members who will join previously announced president, Lord David Puttnam, for the fourth annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards to be held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on December 2.

Academy Award winner and producer of Chariots of Fire, The Mission and The Killing Fields, Lord Puttnam, has assembled a jury of highly experienced industry professionals from across the globe. They are:

. Indian actress and star of Road Tannishtha Chatterjee, often referred to as the ‘Princess of Parallel Cinema’, for her work in Indian arthouse cinema while also being known as one of the most international of Indian actresses for performances in films such as Britain’s Brick Lane.

. Multi award-winning Indonesian writer, producer and director, Salman Aristo, who wrote the screenplay for Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops, 2008) which holds the record for the highest box office in Indonesian film history.

. Ming Zhenjiang – producer and First Deputy President of the China Film Producers Association, FIAPF’s official representative in the People’s Republic of China.

. Acclaimed Australian cinematographer Ellery Ryan whose credits include such Australian classics as Angel Baby and Spotswood.

. Kazakh writer/director Sergey Dvortsevoy whose film Tulpan won the APSA Best Feature Film Award in 2008 and the Prix Un Certain Regard at the Cannes International Film Festival in the same year.

. Turkish filmmaker and film academic Sedar Akar whose many awarded films include Valley of the Wolves: Iraq, which became the highest grossing Turkish film of all time.

Lord Puttnam is in Australia and is meeting other jury members from November 22 on the Gold Coast to commence their deliberations.

Thirty-one documentary, animated, children’s and feature films from 15 countries and areas have been nominated for the 2010 Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Winners will be announced at the APSA ceremony, which will be attended by nominees and special guests from across the region.

An international cultural initiative of the Queensland Government, APSA is a unique collaboration with UNESCO and FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producers Associations which acclaims films from 70 countries and areas; one third of the earth; and half the world’s film output.

Films are judged on cinematic excellence and the way in which they attest to their cultural origins.

APSA’s previous jury presidents have been renowned Indian actress and humanitarian Shabana Azmi (2007), Australian director and Academy Award nominee Bruce Beresford (2008), and leading Chinese producer and director Huang Jianxin (2009).

According to APSA chairman Des Power, the “2010 international jury, headed by Lord David Puttnam, is representative both of the international filmmaking community and also of the diverse range of skills within the screen industry – including producing, acting, directing and cinematography”.

“The jury has a demanding task ahead of them to determine the winners across nine APSA Award categories, to be selected from the 31 films which have received nominations. I know they will undertake this challenging work with enthusiasm and integrity and I look forward to welcoming them to the Gold Coast.”

The members of the 2010 International Jury will automatically be inducted into the Academy of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Led by patron Jack Thompson, the academy is a growing body of the region’s most influential names in film including past APSA nominees, international jury and nominations council members.

The 2010 Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ceremony will be webcast live through www.asiapacificscreenawards.com.

More than 1.7 million Australians living with presbyopia1 (age-related loss of near vision) are set to benefit
from the launch of Australia’s first laser eye treatment that can eliminate the need for reading glasses in just
20 seconds.2
The groundbreaking IntraCORT procedure, to be unveiled today (Tuesday, November 23, 2010) at the
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) 42nd Annual Scientific Conference in
Adelaide, uses a minimally invasive laser to reshape the cornea without damaging the outer layers of the eye.
Because the procedure requires no general anaesthetic, injections, or blades, it promotes fast healing, with a
minimal risk of infection and can significantly improve near vision one day post-procedure.2
Ophthalmic surgeon and Australian pioneer of this breakthrough technology, Dr Kerrie Meades, will present clinical
outcomes demonstrating the effectiveness of this treatment for presbyopia at the RANZCO conference today.
“Presbyopia is one of Australia’s most common eye conditions.
“To date, the only treatments available to correct near vision were reading glasses, contact lenses or invasive laser eye
surgery,” 3 said Dr Meades.
“Conventional laser eye surgery typically involves cutting open the outer layers of the eye in order to direct the laser
to the inner cornea. This method results in longer healing times and higher risks of infection.
“With the IntraCORTM procedure, no surgical cuts to the outer eye or removal of tissue is required,” Dr Meades said.
“The procedure is quick and painless, taking just 20 seconds to perform.”
Without damaging the outer layers of the eye, the non-surgical procedure involves delivering a painless laser beam
directly into the stroma (deep layer of the cornea), where gas bubbles form into microscopic rings.
The gas bubbles dissolve within two-to-three hours post-surgery. When the cornea clears, distance vision returns, and
the patient may immediately notice a change in near vision. By the end of the first day post-procedure, patients can
already see an improvement in their near vision.
As the entire pattern of applied laser depends on the patient’s visual disturbance, the result is a personalised and
accurate treatment with minimal risk of infection.4
“The IntraCORTM procedure not only improves near vision, but can also enhance distance vision in some instances.4
Also, the shadow or halo effect in night time vision associated with conventional treatments is significantly reduced
with this new procedure,4” said Dr Meades.
“This is the first time this level of visual independence has been achieved without invasive laser surgery. The
improvements to quality of life mean that our patients can maintain an active, independent lifestyle without
constantly reaching for or worrying about their reading glasses.”
The IntraCORTM procedure is suitable for adult patients seeking to improve their near vision and permanently reduce
their reliance on glasses or contact lenses.
According to former presbyopic patient, Mr Andrew Davis, 46, Sydney, the life-changing IntraCORTM procedure has
restored his near vision. He is now able to read fine print without the use of his reading glasses.
“My near vision started deteriorating about two years ago, and it became progressively harder for me to focus on the
fine print.
“My work requires me to be able to see long distance as well as up close. I wasn’t accustomed to wearing glasses, so
was frustrated with constantly having to put my reading glasses on, have my eyes adjust to them, only to have to take
them off again. Then after removing my glasses it would take time for my eyes to readjust. The strain on my eyes from
the constant readjustment would cause me to experience headaches almost every day,” said Mr Davis. more#
“On the day of my procedure I was a bit anxious, but it was all thoroughly explained to me, so I knew what to expect.
Before I knew it, the procedure was already over and I was allowed to go home.”
On the day of treatment, anaesthetic drops are placed in the patients’ eye while they are lying down on a laser bed.
A laser beam is then accurately positioned on the cornea using a sterile patient interface device. The treatment takes
only 20 seconds to complete and near vision typically improves within just a few hours.
“When returning home after the procedure, I was surprised that I could already read the newspaper without my
reading glasses,” Mr Davis said.
“I am no longer plagued by headaches from eye strain and am enjoying my new life post-glasses. To virtually restore
my near vision is extraordinary.”
For patients who may have lost the ability to read for up to several decades, the procedure can provide a welcome
restoration of vision, where daily tasks such as reading, using a mobile phone, and leafing through catalogues, can
become hassle-free once again.
Not only does IntraCORTM improve quality of life, but the long-term cost savings from a one-off IntraCORTM procedure
compared to a lifetime of prescription lenses can be significant. The total treatment cost for IntraCORTM is less than
$5,000.
For more information about IntraCORTM, call 1300 68 3937 or visit www.intracor.com.au.
References
1.MedMarket Diligence LLC. Products, Technologies, Markets and opportunities in Ophthalmology Surgical Device and Drug Markets Worldwide 2007; Report 3G125.
2. Holzer, MP. Update on intraCOR. J Cataract Refract Surg 2009; 44-45.
3. Holzer MP, Mannsfeld A, Ehmer A, Auffarth GU. Early outcomes of INTRACOR femtosecond laser treatment for presbyopia. J Refract Surg 2009; 25: 855-861.
4. Ruiz LA, Cepeda LM, Fuentes VC. Intrastromal correction of presbyopia using a femtosecond laser system. J Refract Surg 2009; 25: 847-854.
5. Holden BA, Fricke TR, May Ho S, Wong R, Schlenther G, Cronje S, Burnett A, Papas E, Naidoo KS, Frick KD. Global vision impairment due to uncorrected presbyopia.
Arch Ophthalmol 2008 126; 12; 1731-1739.
6. Croft MA, Glasser A, Kaufman, PL. Accomodation and presbyopia. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2001; 41: 33-46.
7. Patel I, West SK. Presbyopia: prevalence, impact, and interventions. Com Eye Health J 2007; 20: 40-41

A Marathon of Human Fusion – Sunday 28th November

Canberrans young and old, fit and not-so-fit are all invited to join the HumanFusion Dance Fitness Marathon all day on Sunday the 28th November at Brand Depot.

It’s a movement marathon, a quantum of quickstep, a concord of choreography that promises to be a fantastic spectacle for people who love to participate in dance, sport and fitness activity.

Angie Pope – owner and Manager of the HumanFusion studio says the all day dance-fitness marathon will be a feast for all the senses. “HumanFusion is a fitness program that marries dance and aerobic energy so we’re inviting members of the community to strut their stuff.
We’ve invited dance schools and gym instructors from across the territory and Queanbeyan in the search to find the fittest group in Canberra. We’ll be tackling lots of dance styles from African, hip hop, salsa, ballroom, burlesque, thai chi, bellydance, kickboxing, a dance circuit and much more! There will be something for everyone to watch, listen to and take part in – no matter their talent or fitness level”.

The marathon is free to participate in and will feature eight 45 minute dance-fitness classes across the full range of dance styles that are part of the HumanFusion repertoire.

So what is HumanFusion? If you look up ‘fusion’ online you get something like “A transformation where a composition of two functions is replaced by in-lining them and combining their bodies.” That’s pretty close – a cluster of bodies fusing together in movement – on a Sunday at Brand Depot.

Angie Pope says “there will be great prizes on the day for participants’ achievements including: ‘The longest plank’, ‘The largest group of friends / family to complete one full class’, ‘The youngest dancer on the day’ and the ‘Best Bogan Dance'”.

The program will kick off at 10 with ‘OrientalFusion’ followed by:

11am LatinFusion

12pm WarriorFusion

1pm TribalFusion

2pm FoxyFusion

3pm UrbanFusion

4pm MashFusion

5pm ZenFusion

The media is most welcome to attend to photograph or film the event. Interviews can be arranged prior to the event through Angie Pope on 0406 558 007 or by email [email protected]

————————
What is HumanFusion®?

What is HumanFusion?
HumanFusion® is a dance based fitness program which combines dance with aerobic energy. Encompassing different styles, participants can choose their intensity level based on the style of dance they wish to do.

This concept is easily adaptable to suit current and upcoming trends in dance keeping it constantly up to date with participants preferences.

Each class is 50 minutes and includes intro & technical moves breakdown, warm up, light choreography, cool down and stretches. The choreography features interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms are combined to tone and sculpt the body while burning fat.

The plight of 100 Australians living with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH) – an ultra-rare and life-threatening blood disease – was finally acknowledged by PM Julia Gillard and Health Minister, The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP after representatives of the PNH community attended Question Time in Parliament yesterday(Wednesday, November 17, 2010).

The President and Secretary of the PNH Support Association of Australia (PNHSAA), Ms Linda Charlton and Mrs Jenny Sturrock, were in Canberra this week seeking support for Government-subsidised PNH treatment from Australia’s MPs. Funding for Soliris® – the only effective treatment for PNH – was first recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) in March 2009. However, the Federal Government is yet to approve the subsidy despite a second positive recommendation from the PBAC and 18 months of Government lobbying by the PNHSAA.

Ms Charlton and Ms Sturrock were at last given the opportunity to personally meet separately with Gillard and Roxon yesterday to highlight the importance of affordable access to effective PNH treatment through the Government’s Life Saving Drugs Program(LSDP).

According to Ms Charlton, the subsidy is close, but still out of reach.

“Access to effective PNH treatment has been a long and arduous battle, and in the meantime, Australian lives have hung in the balance.

“The Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, have personally reassured me that the Government is acting with every urgency to grant the PNH community access to Soliris®,” said Ms Charlton.

“I sincerely hope that the only remaining step of Cabinet Approval is expedited so that the PNH community can receive treatment well before Christmas and look forward to a stable future.

“We plan to continue to work every day until this treatment is funded on the LSDP,” Ms Charlton said.

“The PNHSAA is grateful to all Senators and MPs from various parties who have taken the time to meet with us, and support our campaign.”

Soliris is the only effective treatment for the blood disease which is characterised by abnormal and uncontrolled haemolysis(destruction of red blood cells). The treatment acts to suppress the crippling symptoms and complications associated with PNH, and significantly reduces the risk of premature death.

About PNH
PNH is an ultra-rare and life-threatening disease, affecting just 100 Australians. PNH is characterised by haemolysis, or the destruction of red blood cells, which can cause a variety of major health problems such as the formation of blood clots, high blood pressure and damage or failure of organs such as the brain, liver, gastro-intestinal system and kidneys. Symptoms, including abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, poor physical function, shortness of breath, erectile dysfunction and crippling fatigue, can interfere with the quality of life of people living with PNH.

PNH develops without warning and can strike men and women of all races, backgrounds and ages. On average, the disease affects people in their mid-30s, however 10 per cent of all people living with PNH start developing symptoms before they’re 21.

PNH often goes unrecognised, with diagnosis sometimes taking more than 10 years. It is estimated that approximately one-third of patients with untreated PNH will die within five years of diagnosis.

About Soliris

Soliris is the only treatment for PNH that reduces the auto-immune destruction of red blood cells.
Soliris stops the immune system by selectively blocking the proteins responsible for the attack, thereby reducing the symptoms associated with the disease and allowing the patient to return to their normal life.

Studies show that Soliris immediately and sustainably reduces the destruction of red blood cells in almost 100 per cent of patients living with PNH. This reduction has been clinically proven to reduce the rate of blood clot formation and the need for blood transfusions, as well as improve energy levels and overall quality of life.

The cost of Soliris to the Government is equivalent to all other medications currently funded under the Commonwealth Government’s Life Saving Drugs Program. PNH sufferers in the US have had access to Soliris since March 2007 and treatment is funded in more than 30 countries worldwide, including Europe, Eastern Europe, Canada and Brazil, and now Australia.

In 2008, Soliris was awarded the most prestigious global award for biological medicines, the Prix Gallien USA Award, by a panel of seven Nobel Prize Laureates.

‘Eat, Pray, Love’ lacks lustre
by Rama Gaind

‘Eat, Pray, Love’ is a movie you should watch only if you want to see Julia Roberts (who plays Liz Gilbert) eating, praying and loving her way through Italy, India and Bali.
Based on a 2006 memoir by the American author, it’s all about her quest for a life balance following the break-up of her marriage.
Liz wants to acquire a renewed zest for life by travelling the world and discovering the power of nourishment, prayer and love.
First she indulges in her love of Italian food and wine and celebrates life with gay abandon.
However, life is a little harder in India as she strives to find spiritual rewards at an ashram. Here she develops a camaraderie with an American (Richard Jenkins) who is filled with remorse.
Finishing her year, Liz arrives in Bali and attains a certain calmness before meeting Felipe (Javier Bardem) who becomes her ‘love’ of the film title.
Director Ryan Murphy (‘Glee’), who co-wrote the film with Jennifer Salt, spends too much time submerging us in the delights of food and landscape.
Poor character development is a flaw that is further drowned in romanticism. Could it be that it was aimed at viewers who would contemplate these destinations for their next holiday?
Even the appeal of Roberts doesn’t save this film.

‘Red’ is extremely entertaining
By Rama Gaind

It is not often that expectations are handsomely rewarded. Such was the case with with the film ‘Red’.

Acronym for Retired and Extremely Dangerous, ‘Red’ gives us a perfect blend of comedy and action.

Jam-packed with older actors led by Bruce Willis and Helen Mirren, this is one film that makes for an entertaining diversion.

Frank Moses (Willis) is a retired CIA operative who is so bored that he strikes up a relationship with Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker), who answers the phone at the pension office.

An assassination target, Frank undertakes what amounts to a cross-country road trip when he picks up Sarah and reassembles his old team that includes Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Mirren).

As they try to discover who wants them dead and why, the tangled web of lies and misinformation slowly unravels, all the while doing battle with Agent Cooper (Karl Urban).

Director Robert Schwentke rightly doesn’t interfere much, leaving the ensemble to do their best – and that is the key to its success.

There was no shortage of fist fights, explosions and gun fire (never seen Mirren using such big guns before), but simultaneously the film manages to maintain the comedic timing.

Do also keep a look-out for performances by Richard Dreyfuss, Julian McMahon and 93-year-old Ernest Borgnine.

A must-see film that will surprise from start to finish.

Social networking phenomenon
By Rama Gaind

These three films have very different themes. Enjoy!

The Social Network
Outlining the formation and growth of the Facebook site, director David Fincher gives us a spellbinding legal drama that focuses on the youngest billionaire in the world, Mark Zuckerberg, played brilliantly by Jesse Eisenberg.
In 2003, this computer genius and Harvard undergrad used blogging and programming to create a communication revolution.
However, success also brought legal problems.
The film also stars Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara and Bryan Barter.
Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin provides a dramatic take on the increased popularity of the social media site – complete with society’s associated themes that may be unpleasant to some viewers.

Life As We Know It
A light romantic comedy where the chemistry between Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel pays some worthy dividends.
While they are not exactly enamoured of each other, they are forced to find a common ground so they can deal with the joint custody of their friends’ orphaned baby.

The Town
After his astonishing debut with directing ‘Gone Baby Gone’ in 2007, Ben Affleck now directs and stars in this coarse crime thriller that is set in Boston’s bank-robbing fraternity.
The FBI agent on his case is Jon Hamm.
Some engaging action shots, particularly the car chase through the city’s narrow streets, is a great saviour.