OCTOBER 3 • 2019 | 45 He and his crews also filmed about 25 people who have experienced cancer themselves and share their stories. Sheila Sky Kasselman, head of the Sky Foundation, which raises money for pancreatic cancer awareness and research, is one of the film’ s producers and stars. Kasselman was diag- nosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007, and said she never expected to be part of such a project. “Few of us with pancreatic cancer live for a long time and I’ m a 12-year survivor, ” she said. “I had what is known as Whipple surgery (an operation to remove the head of the pan- creas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct). I survived it, but it leaves a mark. I’ m 79 years old and I do everything. I’ m very busy. ” Kasselman said it’ s her hope that by supporting the film, as well as appearing in it as a cancer survivor, it will educate people about tough-to-treat pancreatic cancer. “I was so pleased and happy that we would have pancreatic cancer as part of the film, ” she said. “It will bring awareness of the disease and, hopefully, it will bring hope. ” Kids Kicking Cancer, a global organization founded by Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, also known as Rabbi G, is also featured in Famie’ s doc- umentary. Goldberg is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. The Southfield-based organization helps children cope with the pain and fear of their cancer diagnoses through meditation and martial arts moves. “It’ s important for people to understand that cancer is a very treatable disease, ” said Rabbi G, who lost a young daughter to cancer. “The power of the mind transcends pain and fear and anger associated with the diagnosis of cancer. We learn we don’ t have to be defined by the disease. ” Rabbi G said the children who took part in the filming were thrilled to be part of the project. “We always tell the children they are teaching the world, ” he said. “When people film the children, it just re-emphasizes they are teaching the world. They are powerful martial arts teachers. ” Famie hopes that people take from the documentary a sense of empowerment about their own health and the belief they can take proactive measures to thwart a cancer diagnosis. “Staying on top of mainte- nance of your body is import- ant, ” Famie said. “How we live our life today determines how we live tomorrow. You really have to be your own advocate. ” In hearing other people’ s sto- ries about their experience with cancer, Famie believes the film will have a deep emotional res- onance with his audiences. “My approach has always been to understand the story of the journey that someone is on, ” he said. “Nothing is more rewarding than someone saying, ‘ This (documentary) helped me go see the doctor. It’ s taught me to be more proactive about how to live life. ’ ” To learn more about Those on the Front Lines of Cancer, visit ontodaysfrontline.com/cancer. ABOVE: Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, founder of Kids Kicking Cancer, talks about the power of the mind in dealing with a cancer diagnosis. LEFT: Sheila Sky Kasselman, founder of the Sky Foundation and a pancreatic cancer survivor, is part of the documentary. Emmy Mistake Leads to Slatkin’ s Appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Reports of his death were greatly exaggerated. Music fans were surprised when Detroit Symphony Orchestra music director laureate Leonard Slatkin’ s photo appeared on the “in memoriam” segment of the Emmy Awards Sept. 22 above the name of iconic conductor Andre Previn, who died in February. Slatkin appeared via satellite on Jimmy Kimmel Live the following night. Kimmel started the conversation by asking Slatkin, “I guess my first question is are you dead right now?” Slatkin displayed good humor about the flub and expressed admiration for his friend and fellow conductor Previn. Slatkin, 75, then told Kimmel he planned to wait a “good long while for his real memoriam.” NICO ROMADEL/ LEONARDSLATKIN.COM