BRIGGS: LOVE, CANCER, AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSION (Petition Signed by Over 20 Stars)

Susan Sarandon: "Paul and Briggs had a love like no other.They wrote together, from the socio-political to comedy; did everything together.Their life was one of adventure in half the world but especially New York, where they first met.It was on returning to NYC from L.A. that Briggs was diagnosed.They had no idea they were in for more of a battle with the medical profession and the cancer industry than with Briggs's cancer.In her memory, he goes up against them while detailing the hard-wrought facts and insights from their journey on what works and what doesn't.He's giving us the tools to avoid the 'died of complications from' in too many patients' obituaries at the same time as setting out to usher in a new era in cancer twenty years ahead of time.Let's join him in the fight."

The related petition has been signed by 20 stars including Naomi Watts, Bradley Cooper, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Blunt, and Penelope Cruz; media figures including PBS documentarian Ken Burns and NBC journalist Meredith Vieira; legends such as Billie Jean King and Chris Evert; a founder of Stand Up to Cancer; and 6 eminent professors at centres including MD Anderson and UCLA.

Ali MacGraw left this comment on the petition: "Briggs' story is heartbreaking and frankly shocking in its details." A reader review includes, "Does anyone remember LOVE STORY from the 70's with Ali & Ryan? This is a real updated love story with real people, real emotions, and honest facts. There has never been a woman on the Planet who didn't want to be loved this completely and faithfully. This story could have had a happy ending if Paul had learned the information in the book at the beginning of the journey, so he's provided a road map for those who follow."

In another review, a doctor calls the book "a major eye opener." A retired nurse writes, "This book is a must read for everyone!! We need this type of information long before something happens because in the throes of it one becomes so drained they cannot decide which way to go!!"