The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation Partner to Bring Awareness to Childhood Cancers

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation (World Wide) are joining forces to help fight childhood cancers through the upcoming release of the award-winning motion picture, WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER (www.waystoliveforevermovie.com). The touching film is based on the best-selling British children's novel by Sally Nicholls about a plucky 12-year-old named Sam who has leukemia. This ultimately uplifting tale centers on Sam's journey with friend and fellow patient Felix through a series of particularly poignant and sometimes humorous moments as they strive to fulfill their dreams, leave their mark, and make the most of the time that they have.

The film will be released in 2013 to select theaters nationwide, and a portion of proceeds will benefit LLS and other cancer-related organizations that have teamed up with World Wide to promote both the picture and its message. Additionally, Scholastic, the publisher of the best-selling novel on which the film is based, plans to re-release it both in paperback and as an enhanced eBook this spring in advance of the film's North American release. A key feature of the enhanced eBook is that it will reference and provide links to related movie clips.

"Approximately 90 percent of children under the age of 15 survive acute lymphocytic leukemia thanks in part to advances supported by LLS," offers Louis J. DeGennaro, chief mission officer of LLS. "Unfortunately, 1 in 10 children do not survive and too many of those that do suffer long-term effects from today's toxic therapies. We will continue to fund research until every child can live a long and healthy life."

WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER stars critically acclaimed actors Ben Chaplin (The Thin Red Line, The Truth About Cats & Dogs), Greta Scacchi (The Player, Emma), Robbie Kay (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Alex Etel (The Water Horse), Emilia Fox (Pride And Prejudice - BBC), and Ella Purnell (Intruders, Never Let Me Go). The film has garnered awards from around the world, including the Chicago International Children's Film Festival's Adult Jury Prize, Best Picture at the Bordeaux International Festival of Women in Cinema, the Heartland Film Festival Audience Award, and Best Feature Film from the European Children's Film Association.

"We are very proud to be associated with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in reaching out to their member base to help support the opening of this film throughout the US, thereby increasing research dollars available to find a cure and help affected families," states Paul D. Hancock, World Wide's president and CEO.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ^® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.  Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.

About World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation
Founded in 1977, World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation (www.wwmpc.com) is a diversified company with shareholders throughout the world, primarily involved in the development, financing, production and distribution of feature films, documentaries, short subjects, industrials and television productions. World Wide's industry executives and board members have produced, distributed and consulted on a wide variety of film and television projects, earning Academy awards, Emmy awards, and prizes from international film festivals.

Contact:

Andrea Greif
Director of Public Relations
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
(914) 821-8958
[email protected]

Kelli M. Larson
Publicity Coordinator
World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation
714-960-7264
[email protected]

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society