Press Coverage

Part II: If the Name Fits, Use It!

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second part in a series of articles about the birth and growing pains of Between Us: A First-Aid Kit for Your Heart and Soul, a project whose mission is to assist newly diagnosed breast cancer patients by providing emotional support through a free documentary film devoted to the feelings and experiences of breast cancer patients and a care package of gifts. Mary Katzke, the co-author of this series, a breast cancer survivor, filmmaker, and founder of Between Us. Last month, we discussed how her idea to create this project through her existing documentary film nonprofit corporation was born and the initial steps she took to get it off the ground. This month, we will take a look at the significance of your nonprofit's or project's name. Ultimately, we hope to follow Katzke on her search for corporate sponsorship.

What Shall We Name the . Nonprofit/Project?

The mission for Between Us is to provide comfort in a time of shock and crisis at no cost to the patient - a metaphorical "hug." As one woman on the project put it: "I was sent home from the hospital with a bra that didn't fit, a wad of cotton to stuff it, and a pile of bills." As I put it: "Every time I moved, someone was taking from me - body parts, blood samples, money, dreams, fertility." This is why I believe so strongly in giving to other women in my shoes.

Initially, Between Us included two films: the first, "Just Between Us Survivors," targeted newly diagnosed breast cancer patients; the second, "Just Between Us Supporters," targeted the family and friends of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. However, in the early days of our search for funds, the other women who had come on board and I realized that we needed to trim down the project to only the first film.

With these factors in mind, we chose the name Between Us: A First-Aid Kit for Your Heart and Soul to convey intimacy, as in "just between you and me," so that women would know the film was not produced b a group of doctors or by a pharmaceutical company. We also thought it was appropriately informal, as is the style of the film.

Written by Mary Katzke, founder of Between Us and director of Affinityfilms, Inc., and Jill P. Johnson, editor, FRI.

Part 1

Part 3

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