Denver – April 5, 2006 – The Stevens Johnson Foundation today announced that the film “Surviving SJS” is now available to physicians and patients who want to learn more about the affects of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a severe allergic reaction to commonly prescribed drugs. SJS causes severe burning and blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. Many drugs, including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), ibuprofen products, and Cox-2 inhibitors, have been known to cause SJS.

“Surviving SJS” includes interviews with doctors and patients while focusing on the story of SJS survivor John Mowatt’s harrowing experience of contracting SJS from antibiotics taken following heart surgery and his treatment at the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks, Calif. An extremely painful condition, SJS commonly causes blindness and results in death in 10 to 30 percent of the cases. Because many physicians and emergency facilities are not familiar with the symptoms, treatment is frequently delayed, further exacerbating the condition.

In the film, Dr. Peter Grossman explains that, “The disease causes a removal of the protective layer of skin. It is as if you are getting a second degree burn over most of your body. The mechanism is different, but physiologically it is the same.”

It also includes interviews with survivors, Marlene Kerber, who suffers numerous side effects as a result of Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Jean and Julie Farrell, of the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation. Julie’s SJS resulted in severe eye damage.

SJS is estimated to effect three to eight people per million per year in the U.S. However, the frequency is likely higher since only one percent of adverse drug reactions are reported, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The Grossman Burn Center treats about four to five SJS/TENS patients each year.

“Surviving SJS” was produced by Ground Hero Productions, with Diana Cignoni as producer/director and Scott Fishkind as executive producer. Cignoni is currently producing a full length feature film version of John Mowatt’s life with SJS. The screen writer for this new project is Abby Luttrell, with story by John Mowatt.

“Surviving SJS” is available in two versions; a 20 minute version for $29.95 which is recommend by the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation and an expanded one hour version for $39.95. To purchase either film, contact Diane Cignoni at dcignoni@groundhero.com or call 323-854-3136. More information on SJS is available at http://www.sjsupport.org.

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Media Contacts:
Diana Cignoni
323-854-3136
dcignoni@groundhero.com

Jean McCawley
SJS Foundation
303-635-1241
sjsupport@aol.com

Valerie Chereskin
Chereskin Communications
760-942-3116
valerie@chereskincomm.com