Audrey's Children (2024) Movie Script
1
[AUDIO LOGO]
INTERVIEWER: Can
you say when cancer
will be eliminated, when it
will be controlled altogether?
I can say this, that it is
my belief that cancer can be
controlled, that the amount
of knowledge we now have
from basic science and
from clinical investigation
permits this feeling
of controlled optimism.
Given the scientific
brain power,
which we see active today,
given resources and equipment,
support for such work,
I believe that very
rapid progress can be made.
And I believe
firmly that there is
enough knowledge today to
warrant an optimistic outlook.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
RESEARCHER: Cancer is not
our inherent birthright
simply because we're people.
This comes from many studies
which show that up to 95%
of our cancers are extrinsic.
That is, they're not due to our
inheritance or to our genetics.
They're due to
something that happens,
something that
we're exposed to.
And here we are.
There you go.
Good bunny.
Now, Lily, remember
what I promised you.
This won't hurt bunny one bit.
Watch.
Now, then, how about
your turn on the machine?
It's the type of work
in which doctors must
be attuned to being patient and
to working for many, many years
to see their results.
But the fact is, the
results are emerging.
Dr. Evans.
Dr. Evans.
Hi.
Hi.
I'm Brian Foust, your resident.
Oh, pleased to meet you.
I just want to say I
really admire your work.
I mean, chapter 16
of ACS is amazing.
You got a rabbit in there?
Yes, indeed.
Well, yeah.
It's just that,
you know, we have
a very strict policy
about keeping animals
out of the patients' quarters.
Well, then be a dear and
return Mikey back to the lab,
will you?
- Mikey?
- Oh, OK.
- Well done.
Well, his symptoms
were being very tired.
He bruised very easily.
And we noticed a difference
in his walking pattern.
Well, I think it was seven
years when we started coming,
and I'm coming every
three months now.
WOMAN: It's something you
always think happens to someone
else rather than you.
Good boy.
You're all right.
Neuroblastoma is one of the
most common tumors in peds
with dismal treatment results.
One reason for this failure may
be due to the natural history
of the tumor, as
70% of children
already have metastases
at the time of diagnosis.
So, in general, 2/3 of patients
with neuroblastoma are beyond
the bounds of curative
surgery and radiation therapy,
which brings me to.
chemotherapy.
Now, I know opinions vary
on the value of chemotherapy
in patients with
localized disease.
But some such as
myself, believe
it may suppress microscopic
distant metastases
in a fashion similar to
actinomycin D in Wilms Tumors.
What's that look for?
Yes, I know I'll
have a mixed crowd,
but they should be
able to keep up.
Hmm?
All right, all right.
I'll be less oncologisty.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
Neuroblastoma is one
of the most common--
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Hello.
[PHONE RINGING]
Your feet are on my desk.
How did you get up there?
So rude.
Are you-- are you
reading my mail?
You do run radiation therapy
and research around here,
don't you?
- Yes.
Well, I'm Dr. Audrey Evans,
chemotherapy specialist
and your new Chief of
Pediatric Oncology.
I am aware of that.
What I don't understand is
why you're reading my mail.
Well, they're my
patients, too, you know.
I'm just doing my homework.
Shall we continue?
You're aware it's a crime
to read people's mail?
Are they here?
Who?
Who is that?
- The arresting officers.
Have you rung them yet?
OK.
[LAUGHING]
Do you spend a little
extra time on Sally here?
I disagree with her previous
physician's diagnosis.
I think it's neuroblastoma,
not Wilms tumor.
There's even evidence of
calcification on the X-rays.
You noticed that
the biopsy showed
significant
epithelial maturation?
Yes, but that's
just one component.
Yeah, but the biopsy didn't
reveal any blastomal or stromal
components, though.
Oh.
Yeah.
May I?
But of course.
Thank you.
One more thing.
Has the waiting room
always been so dreary?
I really hadn't noticed.
How could you not?
Something like an
aviary would do wonders.
Is that your lamp?
Thank you.
Was my mother's.
If you ever need
light, come find me.
MAN 1: At the end of
the meeting on Friday.
MAN 2: Have you tried
hard boiled eggs?
The egg salad, it's
actually pretty fresh.
It tastes pretty
fresh most days.
Does it feel like--
You've had a call with
the assistant secretary?
Morning.
Filthy habit.
It is.
It is.
It's terrible.
Only time for cardiology
and oncology today.
Gastroenterology and
infectious diseases will
start next week's meeting.
I trust you've all
welcomed Doctor Evans.
- Doctor.
- Doctor.
Welcome.
Doctor.
Welcome.
JEREMY LEWIS: Trained
at the Royal College
of Surgeons and Johns Hopkins,
headed hematology and oncology
at the University of Chicago.
And worked under the Sidney
Farber at Boston Children's.
Oh, and was a
Fulbright scholar.
Did I miss anything?
Save the
commentary, Dr. Lewis.
The floor is yours, Dr. Evans.
As you know, the three
major killers of our children
are congenital heart disease,
trauma, and cancer, which has
a survival rate of just 10%.
I have bold ideas on
neuroblastoma, the deadliest
solid tumor in peds.
Our standard therapy regimens
of single agent chemotherapy,
surgery, and
radiation are simply
not aggressive enough to
handle such a sinister disease.
I have been tracking
a new method called
combination chemotherapy,
mixing approved medicines
in low doses.
It has shown to be tremendously
successful in leukemia
patients, and I think
could be equally
beneficial for neuroblastoma.
The genomic and metabolic
patterns of blood cancers
in a peripheral nervous system
tumor, apples and oranges.
Of course.
But cyclophosphamide
shrinks the cells.
Vincristine slows the spread.
Together, they would attack
the cancer from all sides.
It's common sense, really.
Cyclophosphamide
can also cause bladder
bleeding and infertility.
Vincristine can cause
compromised motor skills,
seizures, neuropathic pain.
It feels as like a lot--
And if we do nothing,
the child likely dies.
I'll need to create an animal
model to know for certain,
but if correct, we
could change the way we
treat children in mere months.
Add it to the queue.
The queue?
You'll be able to apply
for funding in about a year.
My children
don't have a year.
Are you saying your patients
are more important than theirs?
That's enough.
Seeing if she has
a sense of humor.
I hardly see the comedy.
Well, that's because
he's not funny.
[LAUGHTER]
All right.
Are you going to stand
for the entire meeting?
Very good.
Bob, you're up.
I realize that.
But you said that I could
continue my research here.
We had an agreement.
- We still do.
A year is too long.
It can be
frustrating, I know.
Frustrating is when my
daisies wilt in the summer.
How long did your study on
transfusion of fresh platelet
concentrates for patients
with secondary cytopenia took?
Two years.
Mhm.
And how about your clinical
trial on the effects of
vincristine in the treatment
of leukemia patients?
15 months?
I'm a department head now.
All the more reason
to set a good example.
You're tying my hands.
You wanted the job.
You took the job.
Now do the job.
Oh, and I don't want to
hear any more about lab
animals in patient facilities.
CHOP is not a zoo.
You need to go this way.
All right.
I want my mommy.
Mia.
Now, I promise this
will just take a moment.
We're going to
stand on this step.
Look at Mr. Bear.
He's going to watch you get
the picture of your tongue.
No.
Please, don't.
Mia, it will be all right.
Just try to stop squirming.
No.
Absolutely not.
We do not use those.
He'll take the straps
off if you stop--
This is protocol.
Would you let me
do my job, please?
ALVIN: So why don't you just
tell me how it happened?
MOM: I already told you.
We had an argument
off the roundabout.
ALVIN: I heard you say that.
MOM: You disparage
my parenting and then
act like I'm the crazy one.
It is a talent.
I do apologize for the delay.
The X-rays took some time.
Where is she?
Is she OK?
There's no good
way to say this.
I'm afraid Mia
has neuroblastoma,
an aggressive form of cancer.
That's impossible.
Mia was completely
fine just days ago.
Alvin, tell her.
She's fine.
Unfortunately, a patient
can go from no symptoms
to a belly mass overnight.
No, you have the
X-ray mixed up.
I'm certain of it.
I'm so sorry.
Good girl.
Get that down, you.
We all need our greens.
Bring them to the
lab, would you, Bob?
Nice to meet you, Bob.
Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen.
The quality of this
sawdust needs improving.
I will make a note
for the technician.
I think you're really on to
something with
combination chemotherapy.
If we can figure out how
to minimize side effects,
it could be very substantial.
We?
There are people here who
want to help, Dr. Evans.
And I suppose you're
one of those people?
I am.
Of course.
So tell me, what is it I
have to do in order for you
to help me?
Uhm.
Oh.
No.
No, no, no.
I wasn't implying.
Oh, I thought--
I was trying to help.
I'm just-- I'm going to go.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Come on.
Hi, guys.
Who's winning today?
Well, we're all on six.
Oh, gosh.
We we're all on six, so.
Where's seven?
Oh, seven is right there.
Oh, OK.
Who's going first?
Shall I adjudicate?
That was very good flick.
I'll see you later.
[HUMMING]
Pardon me, coming through.
Oh, excuse me.
Keep on keeping on.
[CHEERING]
I know.
Thank you.
There, primary tumor extracted.
Thank you.
Lymph nodes ready for biopsy.
Thank you.
Yeah.
All right.
And the left area.
Sponge, please.
Thank you.
I need you to move
my study up the queue.
- I can't.
- Can't or won't.
I can't show favoritism
inside my own department.
It's a fast way
to lose friends.
I didn't realize it
was a popularity contest.
What if I got a pharmaceutical
company to sponsor it?
There's not enough
room in the lab.
One study in, one study out.
It's common sense, really.
You're shaking them.
- Would you like to hold one?
- No.
No, you're doing fine.
Got the lymph nodes.
There must be another way.
Ohm must there be?
You know, I really don't care
for your negative attitude.
I'm a realist.
I'm very sorry, Ms. Watson.
Surgery has confirmed
that the tumors in Charlie
have spread to his
right lymph nodes.
And our treatments will not
work fast enough to stop them.
So what?
What are you saying?
Most patients with Charlie's
prognosis do not survive.
And if this was my son, I
would take him home now.
He was just born.
This can't be it, right?
No.
Dr. Lewis's
assessment is valid,
but there is still a chance.
The doses of chemotherapy
that have been applied so far
are the lowest available.
Because he's a baby.
There is room to increase
the doses should Charlie
be responding, which he is.
You have a choice.
I said no.
Mia, please.
MIA: I don't want to be poked.
What if I show
you on horsey first?
Here, we got blood going
up and down to our hooves,
or your hands.
I'm going to find a nice
vein and pop the medicine in.
No.
Hi.
You must be Mia.
I'm Dr. Dan.
Hey, do you like flowers?
Dr. Audrey's medicine is
actually made out of flowers.
It's called the
Madagascar periwinkle.
And it's a beautiful
pink flower.
And it's very hard to find.
That's true.
And it's only for the
very special children,
this magic medicine.
You talk funny.
Whatever do you mean?
Mia or Philadelphia?
Shall I give thee
the magic medicine,
or shall I give it
to somebody else?
Hmm?
Yoo hoo.
Is there anybody who
would like Mia's medicine?
No.
I want my magic medicine.
Ah.
Well, seeing as you
asked so nicely,
I think we can arrange that.
Shall we count to three?
One, two, say magic medicine.
There we go.
That was rather good,
that flower bit.
- Oh, it works half the time.
- And the other half?
Bribery.
What else have you
got up your sleeve?
The cure to cancer?
Slow and steady
wins the race, right?
We can do better than that.
The Cobalt-60 source has
a Dmax of 0.5 centimeters,
just under the skin.
Now, since Mia's abdominal
neuroblastoma is midplane,
we'll treat her
with anterior as
well as posterior post fields,
150 rads a day, five days
a week.
Clear?
As you learned, the lead
kilometers prevent radiation
leakage to unintended
parts of Mia's body,
as well as anyone else in
the room, such as me, you,
there's Roberts over there.
So let's head out.
Good.
[MACHINE WHIRRING]
There we go.
I got you right here.
All right.
I know.
WOMAN: The Carroll family
wants to talk to Dr. James.
They've run into some
financial hardship,
and they're thinking about
taking Courtney home.
Tried to find him
somewhere to stay.
I've looked over on Bainbridge.
No luck.
If you can think of anything,
will you let me know?
OK.
Thank you.
BOY: I wonder what the
food up there is like.
GIRL: Oh, yeah.
Everybody can eat everything.
Will there be cotton candy?
BOY: I think so.
Are you scared?
Not really.
I'll probably miss my
brother and my friend Billy.
Because Billy has
the best treehouse.
I wonder if we'll be able
to play with the clouds.
GIRL: We should be able to.
I mean, it's our own place.
How are you
finding Philadelphia?
A bit rough around the edges.
Hmm?
Well, I'm a New Yorker, so.
Well, I'm a Yorker, so.
You know, York, England,
historic walled city.
No, I understood.
You didn't laugh.
I didn't realize
it was a joke.
Where's the farthest
place you've ever been?
Japan.
- Oh, marvelous.
- Mhm.
Work or pleasure?
Before I was married, I
was a military physician.
I still wonder what we might
have given those pilots
to keep him awake.
It's rather funny, isn't it,
that you went around the world
to become a doctor, and I
had to come all the way here.
Do I tip my hat to you?
What for?
Passing the same tests as you?
Moving to a new
country alone.
I wanted to be a doctor.
There's a lot to do.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
RECEPTIONIST: OK.
Thanks, Ray.
Good afternoon.
Jarva Pharmaceuticals.
How may I-- miss, you
can't go back there.
Miss.
Miss, you're not
allowed back there.
Miss.
Miss, they are in a meeting.
MAN: Jarva Pharmaceuticals.
We allocate resources
to develop these-- whoa.
Who-- who are you?
Dr. Audrey Evans, head of
pediatric oncology at CHOP.
I'm sorry, sir.
She didn't--
It's all right.
I'd like to speak with
you about sponsoring
a groundbreaking new
research study with two
of your chemotherapy drugs.
We're in the middle of--
Hold on a moment.
Continue.
The proposal
suggests applying
cyclophosphamide and
vincristine in low doses
in combination to
combat neuroblastoma.
I've laid out the projected
expenses there on page three.
The mice, the
resources, and the drugs
will cost you $350,000.
How much?
That's a lot of money.
I know.
But if this works,
not only will we save
lives, but it will positively
impact your bottom line.
Imagine how many
chemotherapy drugs
you'll sell if it becomes
commonplace to use
two instead of one.
We're ready,
Dr. Chicken Koop.
Oh, you think so, huh?
All right.
Let's get out here
in the hallway.
I'm going to win this race.
Right out the
door, both of you.
There you are.
All right.
Come on.
Right down the hall.
[CHICKEN NOISES] All right.
Runners, stand.
Ready, set, go.
[LAUGHTER]
She got Jarva Pharmaceuticals
to sponsor her study.
She did?
Do you know what that means?
I don't have all the facts.
Why does that matter?
It's as if the
rules don't apply.
She's making a complete
mockery out of all of us.
Have you finished your
citations for your paper
on bone marrow transplants?
Have I finished my-- no, I
haven't, but I've been on--
Well, do your work, Jeremy.
Under no circumstances are
you to hurt the mice more
than absolutely necessary.
Animals are living beings,
and thus we treat them
politely and with respect.
[SNICKERING]
Thank you very much.
You may leave.
MAN: I didn't mean to--
Anyone else find this funny?
Absolutely not.
These are the
standards that Jarva
demands, and so do I. We do not
do tail injections in my lab.
If that was part of your
training, unlearn it.
It causes unnecessary
discomfort to the mice
and has a higher risk
of extravasation.
We exclusively do
retrobulbar sinus injections.
Be extremely careful.
Excessive pressure to the neck
and the surrounding vessels
can impede blood flow or
worse, collapse the trachea.
Now then, like so.
And finally, we give thanks
to our little friends
for their service
to the greater good.
Who's first?
What are you thinking?
At the moment?
Whether I really want
that sandwich or I
want to skip to dessert.
JEREMY LEWIS: You
went to Jarva.
Ah, that.
Yes, that.
If I use smaller
batches of mice,
we can get another
study in there.
Jarva committed up to $1
million for a new study here.
That could have gone
to Bob's congenital heart
A million?
disease proposal or Stanley's
whooping cough study.
But instead, we are stuck
with a chemotherapy study
at a third of the price
with drugs we already use.
But not in combination.
It's about--
I really have to
get on with this.
You took their bait.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
[SIGHS]
WOMAN: Shuttle time, 6:00.
School pickup's at 4:00.
Host families are full.
For those of you looking for
long-term housing options,
here's a list of rentals.
AUDREY EVANS: Very good.
And a few more.
Ready for backstroke?
And splash.
2, 3.
Very good.
We're nearly at the end.
Arms out like a zombie.
And bend the knees.
And bend the knees.
2, 3, 4.
Bravo.
Well done.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much
for your donations.
And you braved the rain.
Thank you so much.
See you soon.
I'm exhausted
just watching you.
Next time, I'll
make you join in.
Maybe.
We left off on the lack of
funding for cancer research.
Could you turn that off?
Right.
So the federal
government allocates
$0.89 for cancer
research for every $19
that it spends on defense.
If we were to mount
a-- thank you, ladies.
Thank you.
If we were to mount a thrust
like the space program,
we could have cancer
licked in the '70s.
Well, how do we get the
government's attention?
Well, we make noise by
excelling at our craft.
In fact, I'm actually
waiting on results
for what could be a huge
breakthrough in cancer research
as we speak.
I'm so impressed by your
enthusiasm, Dr. Evans, really.
Well, most think
I'm an acquired taste.
I'm just pleased you
returned my call.
Lisa, I'm just going
to leave my bag here.
All right.
Hey.
Hi.
You missed this.
Wow.
Ta-da.
You know how to
make an entrance.
You were not at
supper with everyone.
Did you find somewhere
to stay tonight?
Charlie's not
getting any better.
And the bills are piling up.
I just--
The treatment makes him
appear worse than he is.
So how do you
know it's working?
Time.
I don't know what else to do.
I've been meaning to tidy up.
It's beautiful.
Hardly jams.
Yeah.
I love mine.
Hot date?
Oh, yes, with a big,
handsome hospital function.
Wow.
I sure hope you're
going with someone
special dressed in this.
Well, Sean Connery hasn't
returned my calls yet,
but there's still time.
The shower's just down
the hall to the left.
Everything all right?
I feel like I
should be there.
You're no good
to him exhausted.
We'll get you fed, and
watered, and rested.
And you'll be back
at it tomorrow.
OK?
I could eat.
Marvelous.
I can cook you scrambled eggs,
poached eggs, or hard boiled.
What would it be?
I mean, they're charging
$80 a week for one
room in this piece of junk.
That's just silly.
Remind me where home is.
Tennessee.
And how did you
end up at CHOP?
Two buses and a train.
I would have
walked if I had to.
Wow.
Wait.
You went scuba diving?
Yes.
It was a lovely trip.
But the littles did keep
trying to catch the fish.
How old are your kids now?
Oh, no, no.
Not my children, my
friend's children.
Sounds like a lot of work.
They're dears.
Plus, it's nice to
have the company.
Can you imagine littles
running around here?
It would be chaos, I'm sure.
Bon appetit.
Is it all it's
cracked up to be?
Australia?
Oh, yes, worth the ages
that we spent on the plane.
I mean, like, all of it.
It's a big world out there.
Who gets to see it?
Anyone who wants to.
I don't think it's
as easy as that.
I didn't say it was easy.
We made it here, didn't we?
Yeah.
I guess, we did.
Thank you.
Do you have a second
to join me downstairs?
Yeah, do you want to
take a little weight
off that ankle for a while
before we go out in public?
I'm never going to hear
the end of this, am I?
I am feeling relatively
chuffed about that win.
Oh, are you?
And I did tell you
not to dive for that.
I had it.
Just trying to help.
Well, that is your
problem, isn't it?
You're always just
trying to help.
First time I've
heard that complaint.
How long are you going to
keep up this act with Audrey?
$650,000 she cost us, Dan.
What else?
JEREMY LEWIS: Who else will
she reach out to, Vero Labs?
Zaltran Pharmaceuticals?
The more you help her, the more
she thinks that her actions
are acceptable.
Can't make this up.
Case in point.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
AUDREY EVANS: The
result's inconclusive.
The mice that
received equal parts
cyclophosphamide
and vincristine
should already show
significant tumor
regression based on dosing.
And yet some tumors are
shrinking and some aren't.
What am I missing here?
He really is so cute.
[LAUGHTER]
He really loves you.
I think I'll call him Frankie.
Oh, brilliant choice.
Frankie here gets
magic medicine like you
for his neck boo boos.
Here?
That's right.
Do you want to stroke his back?
My boo boo is bigger.
Well, that's because you're
bigger than Frankie, isn't it?
Does he have a tummy?
He does have a tummy.
Look.
It's here.
See?
It's not blue.
True, but that's because
his boo boos are in his
neck, remember?
You said he gets
magic medicine.
That's right.
But his boo boo isn't here.
Yes, dear, but
that's because--
you're absolutely right.
You're absolutely right.
Frankie should get
different magic medicine
from you because his boo
boo is in a different place
on his body.
Of course.
I need to put Frankie to
bed and talk to my friend.
And then I'll be right back.
OK?
Have you seen Koop?
No.
He's conducting
rounds in the NICU.
I was looking in
the wrong place.
I'm running late, Audrey.
I was analyzing the effects
of combination chemotherapy
on all tumors together.
Once I separated
them by location,
abdominal tumors had a
70% response rate, 70%.
And the neck tumors, they
barely respond at all.
You're suggesting
location is a major factor
in how patients respond.
And that we should tailor
treatment accordingly.
This is bigger than
combination chemotherapy.
That would be significant.
I need access
to CHOP's records.
I need the additional
data points.
You have to help
me to ask Koop.
I can't.
What about later?
In about an hour,
what are you doing?
I'm sorry.
[BABIES CRYING]
Hi, baby.
Hello, my friend.
AUDREY EVANS: Hello
Hello, young man.
Koop, I'd like to ask you
for permission to access
our neuroblastoma records.
Operating on a
baby's esophagus
is like sewing together
two pieces of wet spaghetti
at the bottom of
an ice cream cone.
Koop, the records.
The results
were inconclusive.
No, no, no, no.
I'm so close.
I have data that I
want to show you,
but it's just not enough yet.
I just need a little
bit more time.
Time that you weren't
afforded to begin with.
Return the funds.
No.
I'm-- I'm just a little--
I could have
fired you, Audrey.
Call Jarva.
Return the funds.
[BABIES CRYING]
Yes, I'm coming.
I'm coming.
Don't be so impatient.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
AUDREY EVANS: That
chicken was delicious.
You must give me the recipe.
There's a little creek by our
apartment that Charlie loves.
He giggles every time the
stream tickles his toes.
I want to give him
that one more time.
There's still
more we can try.
No.
You have done more than I
could ever thank you for.
Now I have to do
what's best for my son.
There's nothing I can
say to change your mind?
For what it's worth, I think
you would make a great mom.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Dr. Koop.
Dr. Koop.
C. EVERETT KOOP: Dr. Evans?
I need you to reconsider.
C. EVERETT KOOP:
Oh, good grief.
You're one of
the most decorated
surgeons in the country.
You successfully separated
the conjoined twins.
And then you set up
the first surgical NICU
of the United States.
That's because you don't
wait for science to catch up.
We have the opportunity to
do something extraordinary,
to change, change the-- the
course of a deadly disease.
I know you're not going
to give up now, Dr. Koop.
Please.
Just please talk to me.
Please.
I need-- I need to--
Dr. Koop.
Dr. Koop, please.
I'm having a swim.
Dr. Koop.
Have you lost your mind?
I need to continue the trial.
I need those records.
I said no.
What alternative do we have
to innovate at all costs?
Dr. Evans--
Please.
Please, we cannot-- we
cannot let perfection
get in the way of progress.
If we stop moving, then
we'll lose all hope.
And hope is what we have.
Thank you.
My first year on
the job, a newborn was
delivered with her abdominal
organs in her chest cavity.
She had maybe 15
minutes to live.
There was no time for
permissions or protocols,
and I decided to operate.
Did she live?
She did.
What some saw as brilliant,
others saw as reckless.
Or both.
I've learned the
difference between impulse
and action, Doctor.
There's a fine line.
And when that line is
crossed, it can be near
impossible to reverse course.
Why did you bring me here?
I'm a masochist.
Ha ha.
Why do you think?
Children think I'm funny.
I know what
you're capable of.
Do you?
I'll give you access.
Thank you.
You have until the gala.
That's two weeks.
OK then.
Find the line, Audrey.
That's not my car.
Well, thank goodness.
It's needlessly flashy.
I'm getting the data.
I've got two weeks.
Good.
I know you're intrigued.
I've read your work.
You don't write over 100
publications on radiation
therapy being a hat rack.
We need each other.
What are you afraid of?
This is how it
would have to be done,
no barging into pharmaceutical
companies, no reporters,
everything by the book.
You have my word.
You do.
There's a lot to do.
We're sorting the
files in here?
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
It's perfect.
Name, age.
[MUMBLING]
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Julian Freeman, 12 years old.
Tumor's in the bone
marrow and liver.
Deceased.
12 years old?
DAN D'ANGIO: 12.
Yeah.
David Galloway, 13,
abdominal mass biopsy.
Deceased.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
What is it?
Well, tumors that start
in one place and then move
to another have a
different response
rate than those that don't.
So we shouldn't be sorting
only by initial tumor location.
But also if it
metastasized and to where.
You're right.
[ENERGETIC MUSIC]
Wait.
Children 18 months and younger
have a higher survival rate.
Yes.
And the older children,
their survival rate
is significantly less.
Because the tumors
have already metastasized
by the time of diagnosis.
Age is definitely
another prognostic factor.
Definitely.
Definitely.
We need to start again.
Where do we get more data from?
That is the question.
Dr. Evans?
Come quick.
It's OK, baby.
It's OK.
OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
Where is your special cup?
- I forgot it.
What do you mean
you forgot it?
I asked you for one thing.
FATHER: Just give
her a cup of water.
She won't drink
from these cups.
If you were here,
you would know that.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK, baby.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK, baby.
It's OK.
It's OK.
All right.
All right.
All right.
Two milligrams of morphine.
It's all right.
We're going to
take the pain away.
It's all right.
The nurse is getting you
some medicine to make it
better really, really quickly.
Thank you.
We need new sheets.
Oh, baby.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
[TENSE MUSIC]
All right.
The newspaper doesn't
sell itself, you know.
And John quit.
I got his clients.
About to receive
top sales bonus
if I keep the pace
of them going.
How nice.
How can she think that
I don't want to be here?
Emotions are high.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I need to be in five
cities this week.
I won't make it to all five.
I wish I could give
you the answer you want.
I'm so sorry.
I don't want you to be sorry.
I want you to save my daughter.
I'm trying.
Trying?
God.
There is something
else, but it's new.
It's experimental.
I believe in it.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Today, you're going to
get two magic medicines
instead of just one.
I am?
AUDREY EVANS: Yes.
You're going to be the
first person in the world
to get two in combination.
And then hopefully, if it
makes the boo boo in your belly
get smaller, we'll be able to
give it to your friends too.
OK.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
Now, this is your pink flower.
Well done.
And I'm going to
wash that down.
Now we're going
to get number two.
We're going to
put your arm here.
Let's keep that
nice and stable.
You keep that still for me.
All right?
So impressive.
You got his access
to Keystone General.
And who did you say
your friend was again?
DAN D'ANGIO: Old college buddy.
Excellent physician,
Dr. Laurie Naiman,
all the data we can gather.
But we must respect
his parameters.
No wandering the
hospital halls,
stay quiet, and put the files
back where we find them,
and keep a low profile.
Oh, hello, lovely.
Oh, you're gorgeous.
Look at you.
Look at you.
Low profile.
Low profile.
And maybe no more
coffee because we're
going to be stuck in a
closet for about two hours.
Oh, you don't need
to worry about that.
Oh.
My detrusor muscle
is very relaxed.
I can hold it all day.
That's good to know.
How old do you think she is?
Large trunk.
Horizontal branches.
Pretty old.
Oh.
A fellow horticulturalist.
Not just a hat rack.
My goodness.
He does have a sense of humor.
Don't tell.
Please.
Hey.
Audrey.
Come on in.
Watch your step.
Thanks, Laurie.
We're going to go up
these back stairs here.
There she is.
Stay here till I
come get you, OK?
Thank you so much, Laurie.
And that's true.
OK.
OK.
I still don't understand why
we're not meant to be here.
If it's their data and
we make the breakthrough,
CHOP gets all the credit, so--
And so?
And so, so, so politics.
Are you ready?
Start at the top.
Yes, ma'am.
Thank you.
Tommy Gallagher,
five years old.
Neuroblastoma in the abdomen.
Next one, Herbert
Jacobs, 18 months old.
It's a neuroblastoma in
his abdomen, left anterior.
His ferritin was 18.
Encapsulated clotted blood.
Tumor in the biopsy.
I actually wanted to
take a look at this file,
just kind of poking around.
Make sure I didn't
miss anything.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
[DISTANT VOICES]
DAN D'ANGIO: Hey.
Come here.
What are you doing?
I think, Mr. 86--
DAN D'ANGIO: Shh.
I think Mr. 86 in
the tight joggers
was here raising money
for cancer research.
DAN D'ANGIO: He did.
That is Fred Hill
from the Eagles.
The Eagles?
Yeah.
The Eagles is a
football team, not--
not soccer, though.
It's more like rugby.
But it's better than rugby.
Well, let's talk about it--
Whoever they are, we
should go and talk to them.
No, let's not.
Let's not.
Yeah, just a minute.
Just a minute.
Audrey.
We're going to--
Just come.
Just follow me.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Are you going to speak to me?
OK.
Act like a child.
Me act like a child?
What are you implying?
It was a mistake to take you.
That's rude.
Why did you
drag me into this?
I'm sorry for dragging
you into finding a better
way to treat my children.
They are not
just your children.
Audrey, I carry them with me
everywhere I go, when I sleep,
when I eat.
Wherever I am, their
faces are there.
This new system could mean
that they didn't die in vain.
And you're just going
to throw it all away.
How could you be so careless?
How dare you?
Is there a point
where you take
accountability for anything?
Would you please
get back in the car?
Why would I?
I'm careless.
Audrey.
Audrey.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
[KNOCKING]
Hello.
MAN: I told these damn kids
to get off my property,
or I'm going to call the
cops if I have to come
down here one more time.
Who are you?
I'd like to buy your house.
No thanks.
Why on earth not?
Bring your husband.
I'll consider it.
It's not for me.
If you must know, it's going
to be a home away from home
for families to
stay free of charge
whilst their children
are treated at CHOP.
I don't care if you're
buying it for the queen
of England, lady.
Doctor.
Right.
[DOOR SLAMS]
I was going to
get the red roses,
but the florist
convinced me that she
liked the white ones better.
Now, I don't know.
Do you think I should go back
and get the red roses too?
Sure.
Why not?
Right.
That's what I was thinking too.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Are you sure we should
be walking around here?
Yeah.
I-- I really--
I really don't think
we should be here.
[KNOCKING]
MAN: All right.
Stand up straight,
and be my husband.
Sorry, your what?
No.
No.
Audrey, this is a bad idea.
My husband.
How much for the house?
[CHUCKLES]
We should go.
Dr. Evans.
[POUNDING]
Dr. Evans.
Lady, get the hell
off my property.
Don't speak to
my wife like that.
I mean, besides, your
house is falling apart.
I mean, like, this
porch, for instance.
It's sloping.
And the caulking
is-- is peeling.
And I am certain that it is
rotten underneath these stairs.
No one is going to buy
this place, including us.
So let's go.
Doc.
Audrey.
Wait.
60,000.
- 30.
- 50.
34, and I'll get
a mortgage today.
[TRIUMPHANT MUSIC]
For a five-year mortgage,
it'll be 10% interest.
First payment is
due next quarter.
When your husband gets here,
we can finalize the paperwork.
Sadly, he's drowning at work.
He's got a really
important job in finance.
I call him my money man.
Everyone needs a
money man, right?
Then I'll need a form of
government identification
and your marriage license.
Can't I just sign for him?
Afraid not.
I need your paperwork
or your husband.
Like I said,
he's terribly busy.
And I actually lost
my marriage license.
Can you believe it?
I'm so careless.
He's always telling me
I ought to do better.
Do you have a
male family member
nearby that could co-sign?
I don't know if
the accent gave
it away, but not nearby, no.
Right.
I'm-- I'm sorry, ma'am.
I don't make the rules.
Standard procedure.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
I have an idea of
how to get more data.
I'd like your
permission to pursue it.
May I?
You may.
OK.
See you next week, sir.
Hey.
I'm on probation, Dan.
I've never even
missed a day of work.
I'm so sorry.
And you know me.
You messed up.
I sure did, so you
know if I'm here,
it'd for a very
important reason.
What if CHOP and Keystone
General work together?
What if we started the
world's first neuroblastoma
research crew?
- Dan.
- Come on.
We're going to share data.
We're going to
share test results.
And then we're going to finish
the staging system together.
As in we share the
success, not just CHOP?
No.
And it doesn't stop there, OK?
We're going to
recruit hospitals
from all over the country,
someday the world.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Hello.
Hi.
What are you doing?
Is Mia asleep?
Looks like it.
[PLAYFUL MUSIC]
I'm going to a party.
I wish you could
all come with me.
It'd be much more interesting.
- Yeah.
What color would your dress
be if you were going to go?
Rainbow.
Rainbow color.
I'm going to give Mia a little
surprise because she's been
so sad recently, hasn't she?
Do you think a surprise
is a nice idea for her?
Yeah.
And then Bunny
can cheer her up.
Can I give Bunny
a kiss good night?
- Yeah.
- OK.
Good night, Amora.
Sleep tight.
Good night, Charles.
Mia.
Mia, dearest.
Hello.
Why are you in that dress?
I know.
I've got a surprise for you.
Do you feel strong
enough to sit up?
MIA: Mm-hmm.
All right.
Slowly.
Slowly.
All right.
Wave to Charles.
Try and get some rest, Ashley.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
Off we go.
Hang on one more moment.
And open.
Why is the sky pink?
God took a
paintbrush and made
it extra pretty because He
knew you were coming to see it.
Oh.
Now, Mia, tomorrow, we're
going to take a few more
pictures of your tummy,
see if the magic medicine
is working, all right?
I'll be right there beside you.
Do you trust me?
You know, when I was your age.
I didn't feel good either.
You cut your hair too?
No, dear.
But I stayed in the hospital
for a really long time.
Some of my friends
floated up together too.
But I don't want to float up.
We all float up
to heaven sometime.
But what if I get lost
and my mommy can't find me?
Oh, sweetie.
You don't need to
worry about that.
Your mommy will always,
always be able to find you.
How can she see
me if I'm clear?
My pop pop's in the sky, and
I can't see him even though I
squeeze my eyes really hard.
Oh.
Did he forget to
tell you how to see
him before he floated up?
Oh.
Well, let me show you.
When you go to heaven, you get
to pick a cloud to live in.
But only your family knows
which cloud is yours.
So you tell me, which
one does grandpa live in?
The heart-shaped one.
Brilliant.
Now, every time you see
a heart-shaped cloud,
that's grandpa saying hello.
Hi, pop pop.
[SENTIMENTAL MUSIC]
We expect our boys to
bring home a Super Bowl.
You gentlemen can make
that happen, right?
Easy.
[LAUGHTER]
Excuse me a moment.
Well, you clean up nice.
Not so bad yourself.
I want you to present
your staging system tonight.
Here?
It's not ready.
You'll do fine.
[CALM JAZZ MUSIC]
Walk with me?
We will be going through
the grand legislature
entrance of City Hall.
Now, there are four completely
different unique entrances.
And each one has its own
themes, its own allegory.
Apparently, when the architect
John McArthur Jr. began
construction in
1871, I believe,
he had some pretty
high hopes to give
Philadelphia the tallest
building in the world.
Well, about 30 years later,
when they finally finished
construction, it was too late.
The Eiffel Tower and
the Washington Monument
had already been completed.
And Mr. Tour
Guide, what's this?
Well, some people believe
it stands for unity.
It's all working together
to uphold democracy.
Yes, but at what
point do the big cheeses
lift up the people instead
of the other way around?
Yeah.
So, where next?
We could just run away.
I don't have a
driving license.
I will do the driving.
Where should we go?
Well, I hear Timbuktu is
lovely at this time of year.
Me too.
Dan, I--
Rally this crowd.
Get them to see the importance
of the staging system.
It could change everything.
You really know how
to calm the nerves.
My wife says I'm
too blunt at times.
I will share the
implications of identifying
the proper prognosis early
in the staging system.
And then I will--
Audrey.
It's a good plan.
C. EVERETT KOOP: We have access
to laboratories and research,
unparalleled engineering,
physiological,
and pharmacological expertise.
And our new building
will be second to none.
But there are hurdles ahead.
We need your help now
more than ever before.
Your gifts, great and
small, for the construction
of our new children's hospital
will never pay dividends
in cash, but it will
do so in the benefits
to children, this nation's
only priceless possession.
We have gathered the
world's brightest minds.
This year, we have
recruited the leading force
in oncology, Dr. Audrey Evans,
to lead our cancer department.
And I ask her now
to say a few words.
Dr. Evans.
[APPLAUSE]
Hello.
Um.
Nothing more uplifting
than pediatric cancer
on a Thursday evening, hmm?
[COUGHING]
[CLEARS THROAT]
I have a friend called Mia.
She's seven years old,
beautiful little girl.
Has her whole
life ahead of her,
except she has neuroblastoma,
the deadliest solid tumor
in pediatric cancer,
which kills 90%
of the children who have it.
Earlier today, Mia asked me
if she could take her toy
pony with her to heaven.
I don't know about
you, but I'd much
rather she play
with her pony here
with the people who love her.
Our current methods
simply aren't working.
And the ones that do work
leave lasting long-term damage
to our children.
So we are creating a
revolutionary staging system
that will allow us to tailor
treatment to each child's
unique diagnosis and pave a
brighter future for the Mias
that we treat every day.
[APPLAUSE]
But a sick child is
also a sick family.
Not only must we treat the
medical needs of a child,
but also the emotional and
financial needs of the family.
People travel from all over the
world to be treated at CHOP.
And they often have
nowhere to stay.
The lucky ones, they
sleep on floors, hallways.
But often, they cut their
child's treatment short because
they can't afford the hotels.
So I humbly, humbly ask you
this evening for donations
so that we can buy a home for
them to stay, free of charge.
[APPLAUSE]
There's our dreamer.
Thank you, Dr. Evans.
Next, we will hear from our
cardiology department, whose
surgical innovations have
led to significant strides
in the treatment of
congenital heart disease.
[CAR HONKING]
[PHONE RINGING]
You administered
trial combination
chemotherapy on Mia?
I had to.
Oh, you had to?
She's going to die
anyway, and you
put her through
unnecessary pain
for nothing, and her parents.
Her parents were the ones
who begged me to do something.
God damn it, Audrey.
They're desperate.
They're going to
agree to anything.
You have no idea
what it's like.
Well, of course, none
of us do, really, but--
I had a son.
I had a son.
I didn't know.
Until the board reaches its
decision, you cannot be here.
What about my patients?
They're no longer
your responsibility.
Please don't do this.
I tried, Audrey.
You didn't listen.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I want Dr. Audrey.
I don't want to go with you.
Dr. Audrey, you promised
you'd go with me.
Oh, dear.
I'll put a Band-Aid on it.
It's OK.
It's all right.
I'm a doctor.
I'm a doctor.
I have a Band-Aid in here.
One moment, dear.
Just in here.
There we go.
I knew I had one somewhere.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm-- sorry.
Sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
[SAD MUSIC]
[DARK MUSIC]
Dr. Audrey Evans, who was
recently recruited by this
institution as chief
of pediatric oncology,
has violated hospital rules by
applying chemotherapy agents
in unapproved combinations to
seven-year-old cancer patient
Miss Mia McAlister, correct?
After seeing significant
progress in animal research,
yes, I applied targeted
combination chemotherapy
to a dire patient.
Yes or no will be fine.
Dr. Evans' actions
have violated hospital
codes 301, 373, and 546.
The codes are as follows, not
gaining appropriate permissions
on a clinical trial,
exposing the hospital
to a potential lawsuit,
and the worst infraction,
endangering a patient.
Dr. Evans, you now
have a chance to tell
your side of the story.
I have worked at
the most prestigious
institutions all
over the world and
trained under Sidney Farber.
We have your resume.
We just need to understand
why you changed Mia's therapy.
Mia is what I classify
as an extreme case.
Her tumor had already
spread from the abdomen
into the bone marrow.
Our standard therapies are
not targeted nor strong enough
to combat such a scenario.
And what made you think
your new method would work?
Applying chemotherapies
in combination
has a track record of
success in leukemia patients.
But Mia has neuroblastoma.
AUDREY EVANS: Often
one can infer patterns.
That alone is not
reason enough to act.
But coupled with a mice study
and a new staging system--
A staging system?
AUDREY EVANS: I
and my colleagues
have reason to
believe that tumors
respond differently based on a
number of prognostic factors.
We can no longer treat
all children the same.
Please submit the staging
system to the board for review.
I need more data to
complete it with certainty.
So after getting short-term
lab-based data and using
an incomplete staging
system, you changed
a patient's treatment
to a therapy
regimen that lacks any prior
clinical trial or permissions.
Dr. Evans, no one here is
doubting your talent or
your impressive credentials.
I do not envy the
work that you do.
In fact, I empathize and
even understand why you
acted the way that you did.
Any person might do the same.
But you are not any person.
You are a doctor.
And if we keep you,
we would be endorsing
this reckless and potentially
life-threatening behavior.
That is not a standard
we wish to set at CHOP.
Kate, is
everything all right?
Yes.
It's terrific.
Just terrific.
Look.
No more blue.
Oh, my goodness.
I know.
It's incredible.
Did he undergo a
different treatment at home?
No.
It just went away.
Can you believe it?
Clever boy.
Come in.
Come in.
Come in.
Up we go.
[PHONE RINGING]
Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia.
AUDREY EVANS (ON PHONE):
Dr. Brian Faust, please.
Oh.
Oh.
Dr. Faust, it's for you.
Thank you.
Brian Faust.
AUDREY EVANS (ON PHONE):
Brian, it's Audrey.
Oh.
Hey.
Hey.
Dr. Evans, how are you?
I-- I have--
AUDREY EVANS: I need you
to sneak me into CHOP.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Are you sure
that's a good idea?
AUDREY EVANS (ON PHONE):
I need to get in.
Please.
This way.
This way.
Watch your step.
Got it?
Right over here.
Be careful here.
Brian, I-- I promised I
wouldn't miss dinner again.
Yeah.
Well, surprise.
Charlie Watson's tumor
disappeared with no treatment.
What?
If we can finish
the staging system
and figure out why
Charlie's tumor went away--
There's still
not enough data.
Well, actually, Keystone
General sent over the files
that you requested.
I understand
if you walk away.
I jeopardized everything
we worked for.
I see that now.
No treatment at all?
None.
Gone?
The tumor
regressed completely.
Wilms tumor was
successfully removed.
Next time, we need to
do a far better job
of ensuring that the
blood supply is fully
ablated before the resection.
There's far too much abdominal
bleeding for my liking.
Am I boring you?
Mia's tumor shrank.
Remarkable.
It's combination
chemotherapy.
You're certain?
No other variables changed.
There's no other explanation.
But we caught it too late.
I see.
Damn.
What are you going
to do with this?
Hmm.
So we've got stage
one, where the tumor
is confined to one organ.
DAN D'ANGIO: Good prognosis.
Stage two, the
tumor spreads, but not
across the middle of the body.
DAN D'ANGIO: Not so good
prognosis, but still treatable.
Stage three, where
the tumor spreads
beyond the middle of the body.
DAN D'ANGIO: Not
a great prognosis.
Stage four, the tumor goes
across the middle of the body
and travels to places such
as the brain and bone marrow.
DAN D'ANGIO: Very
bad prognosis.
And then this
special fifth stage
that looks like stage
four, but then the tumor
spontaneously regresses.
DAN D'ANGIO: Like Charlie.
But this only applies to
children under the age of one.
And if the cancer
spreads, then it
must be contained
to the liver, bone
marrow, skin,
and/or lymph nodes,
but only on one
side of the body.
AUDREY EVANS: That's right.
We should call it 4S for
spontaneous regression.
AUDREY EVANS: Yes.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
We did it.
That's it.
We did it.
My children count on me.
They laugh with me.
They cry with me.
And sometimes I'm
the last person
they see before their
journey to heaven.
They look to me to
have all the answers.
But what am I supposed to
do when I don't have them?
Should I just accept that
that's how things are,
or do I fight with everything
I've got to change that?
As sorry as I am for
the trouble I've caused,
I'm not sorry for doing what I
know is right for my children
because they're
your children too.
And they're counting on us,
each and every one of us,
to figure this out, to
rise to the occasion
and figure this out.
We owe it to them
to do just that.
After reviewing all the
facts and the new data
provided by Dr.
C. Everett Koop,
we have decided to allow you
to resume your position here
on probation.
Good.
I hesitate to ask,
but what new data?
It pertains to Mia
McAlister most recent scans.
Is she OK?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
FATHER: Do you remember when we
taught her how to ride a bike?
Hurry.
Go.
Mia.
Mia.
It's Dr. Audrey.
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Hello.
Hello, my dear.
I'm here too, my dear,
just like I promised.
I'm not going anywhere.
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC]
[CRYING]
[SAD MUSIC]
[DISTANT VOICES]
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
After you.
Well, I hope you boys
win all of the football
matches this season.
And thank you so
much for coming.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
It was a pleasure.
- We'll speak soon.
Well done.
[DISTANT VOICES]
Well, brava.
I don't even know
where to start.
Start from the
beginning, please.
So the Eagles boys loved
my house pitch from the gala.
Can you believe it?
Then Laurie's such a dear.
Set about this marvelous
introduction and then
really bigged me
up in the meeting.
What'd you lead with?
Imagine a British
doctor teams up
with American
footballers to buy
a house for families of sick
children to stay for free.
Now, that's what I
call a real home run--
no, touchdown.
Who could say no?
Oh, why, thank you.
Get your feet off my desk.
Goodness, I'm proud of you.
I'm proud of me too.
Hi.
Excuse me.
The test results
have come back.
And the Johnson
family would like
to speak to the both of you.
Shall we?
We shall.
Please.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
You are right.
It is a bit dreary
in here, isn't it?
Like I said, an aviary.
Birds around kids with
compromised immunity?
What's wrong with the finch?
A finch is a nice bird.
Very pleased to meet you.
Hello, sir.
Hi.
What's your name?
- Jaden.
Hi, Jaden.
I'm Dr. Audrey.
What have you got there?
- These.
Oh, amazing.
And this is Dan.
He's a doctor too.
I like your sweater.
Thank you.
So we were thinking
that you might like
to come into Dan's
office, and we could talk
about how you've been feeling.
OK.
Is that OK?
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC]
CHILD: Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Did we find someone?
Shh.
Sorry.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
Did we catch the ghosts?
- Just missed them.
- Oh, rats.
What about the fairies?
Not here either.
Oh, dear.
But there are more.
I'll follow.
MAN: She insisted on a
meeting with the Eagles.
And I asked, how can we help?
She's really something.
MAN: Sure is.
Next thing you know, my buddy
from McDonald's, Ed Rensi,
donates all the proceeds
from The Shamrock Shake.
And here we are at the
Ronald McDonald House.
Wow.
Congratulations.
I have an idea.
Go that way.
[DISTANT VOICES]
Maybe we could have
an apple tree here.
Yeah.
And we'd have a
bunch of apples.
Tomatoes, strawberries,
blueberries.
What's another spice?
What?
Cinnamon?
- Yes.
We can put cinnamon
on our pies that we
bake with our strawberries
and our blueberries.
[LAUGHTER]
You're making me hungry.
What color is this?
That's the important question.
Well, there's white
roses and red roses.
Let me see.
Any nests?
Can you see any nests up there?
Where should we go to next?
[CAROLE KING, "YOU'VE GOT A
FRIEND"]
When you're down
and troubled
And you need some
love and care
And nothing
Nothing is going right
Close your eyes
and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even
your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running
To see you again
Winter, spring,
summer or fall
All you have to do is call
AUDREY EVANS: The
story isn't about me.
It's about children.
It's about love of how
you can make something
good come out of bad.
If by any chance, you should
have a child that either is
born with cancer
or gets cancer,
you probably will feel
this the word of cancer
will just really kill you.
You think, what worse
could happen to my child?
And if you see this movie, do
remember that it's not the end.
And call my name out loud
Soon you will
hear me knocking
At your door
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, running
Yeah, yeah
To see you again
Winter, spring,
summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
Yes, I will
Now, ain't it good to know
That you've got a friend
When people can be so cold?
They'll hurt you
Yes, and desert you
And take your soul
if you let them
Oh, but don't you let them
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, running
Yeah, yeah
To see you again
Winter, spring,
summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
Yes, I will
You've got a friend
You've got a friend
Ain't it good to know
you've got a friend?
Ain't it good to know
Ain't it good to know
Ain't it good to know
You've got a friend?
Oh, yeah, now
You've got a friend
Yeah, baby
You've got a friend
Oh, yeah
You've got a friend
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
[AUDIO LOGO]
INTERVIEWER: Can
you say when cancer
will be eliminated, when it
will be controlled altogether?
I can say this, that it is
my belief that cancer can be
controlled, that the amount
of knowledge we now have
from basic science and
from clinical investigation
permits this feeling
of controlled optimism.
Given the scientific
brain power,
which we see active today,
given resources and equipment,
support for such work,
I believe that very
rapid progress can be made.
And I believe
firmly that there is
enough knowledge today to
warrant an optimistic outlook.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
RESEARCHER: Cancer is not
our inherent birthright
simply because we're people.
This comes from many studies
which show that up to 95%
of our cancers are extrinsic.
That is, they're not due to our
inheritance or to our genetics.
They're due to
something that happens,
something that
we're exposed to.
And here we are.
There you go.
Good bunny.
Now, Lily, remember
what I promised you.
This won't hurt bunny one bit.
Watch.
Now, then, how about
your turn on the machine?
It's the type of work
in which doctors must
be attuned to being patient and
to working for many, many years
to see their results.
But the fact is, the
results are emerging.
Dr. Evans.
Dr. Evans.
Hi.
Hi.
I'm Brian Foust, your resident.
Oh, pleased to meet you.
I just want to say I
really admire your work.
I mean, chapter 16
of ACS is amazing.
You got a rabbit in there?
Yes, indeed.
Well, yeah.
It's just that,
you know, we have
a very strict policy
about keeping animals
out of the patients' quarters.
Well, then be a dear and
return Mikey back to the lab,
will you?
- Mikey?
- Oh, OK.
- Well done.
Well, his symptoms
were being very tired.
He bruised very easily.
And we noticed a difference
in his walking pattern.
Well, I think it was seven
years when we started coming,
and I'm coming every
three months now.
WOMAN: It's something you
always think happens to someone
else rather than you.
Good boy.
You're all right.
Neuroblastoma is one of the
most common tumors in peds
with dismal treatment results.
One reason for this failure may
be due to the natural history
of the tumor, as
70% of children
already have metastases
at the time of diagnosis.
So, in general, 2/3 of patients
with neuroblastoma are beyond
the bounds of curative
surgery and radiation therapy,
which brings me to.
chemotherapy.
Now, I know opinions vary
on the value of chemotherapy
in patients with
localized disease.
But some such as
myself, believe
it may suppress microscopic
distant metastases
in a fashion similar to
actinomycin D in Wilms Tumors.
What's that look for?
Yes, I know I'll
have a mixed crowd,
but they should be
able to keep up.
Hmm?
All right, all right.
I'll be less oncologisty.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
Neuroblastoma is one
of the most common--
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Hello.
[PHONE RINGING]
Your feet are on my desk.
How did you get up there?
So rude.
Are you-- are you
reading my mail?
You do run radiation therapy
and research around here,
don't you?
- Yes.
Well, I'm Dr. Audrey Evans,
chemotherapy specialist
and your new Chief of
Pediatric Oncology.
I am aware of that.
What I don't understand is
why you're reading my mail.
Well, they're my
patients, too, you know.
I'm just doing my homework.
Shall we continue?
You're aware it's a crime
to read people's mail?
Are they here?
Who?
Who is that?
- The arresting officers.
Have you rung them yet?
OK.
[LAUGHING]
Do you spend a little
extra time on Sally here?
I disagree with her previous
physician's diagnosis.
I think it's neuroblastoma,
not Wilms tumor.
There's even evidence of
calcification on the X-rays.
You noticed that
the biopsy showed
significant
epithelial maturation?
Yes, but that's
just one component.
Yeah, but the biopsy didn't
reveal any blastomal or stromal
components, though.
Oh.
Yeah.
May I?
But of course.
Thank you.
One more thing.
Has the waiting room
always been so dreary?
I really hadn't noticed.
How could you not?
Something like an
aviary would do wonders.
Is that your lamp?
Thank you.
Was my mother's.
If you ever need
light, come find me.
MAN 1: At the end of
the meeting on Friday.
MAN 2: Have you tried
hard boiled eggs?
The egg salad, it's
actually pretty fresh.
It tastes pretty
fresh most days.
Does it feel like--
You've had a call with
the assistant secretary?
Morning.
Filthy habit.
It is.
It is.
It's terrible.
Only time for cardiology
and oncology today.
Gastroenterology and
infectious diseases will
start next week's meeting.
I trust you've all
welcomed Doctor Evans.
- Doctor.
- Doctor.
Welcome.
Doctor.
Welcome.
JEREMY LEWIS: Trained
at the Royal College
of Surgeons and Johns Hopkins,
headed hematology and oncology
at the University of Chicago.
And worked under the Sidney
Farber at Boston Children's.
Oh, and was a
Fulbright scholar.
Did I miss anything?
Save the
commentary, Dr. Lewis.
The floor is yours, Dr. Evans.
As you know, the three
major killers of our children
are congenital heart disease,
trauma, and cancer, which has
a survival rate of just 10%.
I have bold ideas on
neuroblastoma, the deadliest
solid tumor in peds.
Our standard therapy regimens
of single agent chemotherapy,
surgery, and
radiation are simply
not aggressive enough to
handle such a sinister disease.
I have been tracking
a new method called
combination chemotherapy,
mixing approved medicines
in low doses.
It has shown to be tremendously
successful in leukemia
patients, and I think
could be equally
beneficial for neuroblastoma.
The genomic and metabolic
patterns of blood cancers
in a peripheral nervous system
tumor, apples and oranges.
Of course.
But cyclophosphamide
shrinks the cells.
Vincristine slows the spread.
Together, they would attack
the cancer from all sides.
It's common sense, really.
Cyclophosphamide
can also cause bladder
bleeding and infertility.
Vincristine can cause
compromised motor skills,
seizures, neuropathic pain.
It feels as like a lot--
And if we do nothing,
the child likely dies.
I'll need to create an animal
model to know for certain,
but if correct, we
could change the way we
treat children in mere months.
Add it to the queue.
The queue?
You'll be able to apply
for funding in about a year.
My children
don't have a year.
Are you saying your patients
are more important than theirs?
That's enough.
Seeing if she has
a sense of humor.
I hardly see the comedy.
Well, that's because
he's not funny.
[LAUGHTER]
All right.
Are you going to stand
for the entire meeting?
Very good.
Bob, you're up.
I realize that.
But you said that I could
continue my research here.
We had an agreement.
- We still do.
A year is too long.
It can be
frustrating, I know.
Frustrating is when my
daisies wilt in the summer.
How long did your study on
transfusion of fresh platelet
concentrates for patients
with secondary cytopenia took?
Two years.
Mhm.
And how about your clinical
trial on the effects of
vincristine in the treatment
of leukemia patients?
15 months?
I'm a department head now.
All the more reason
to set a good example.
You're tying my hands.
You wanted the job.
You took the job.
Now do the job.
Oh, and I don't want to
hear any more about lab
animals in patient facilities.
CHOP is not a zoo.
You need to go this way.
All right.
I want my mommy.
Mia.
Now, I promise this
will just take a moment.
We're going to
stand on this step.
Look at Mr. Bear.
He's going to watch you get
the picture of your tongue.
No.
Please, don't.
Mia, it will be all right.
Just try to stop squirming.
No.
Absolutely not.
We do not use those.
He'll take the straps
off if you stop--
This is protocol.
Would you let me
do my job, please?
ALVIN: So why don't you just
tell me how it happened?
MOM: I already told you.
We had an argument
off the roundabout.
ALVIN: I heard you say that.
MOM: You disparage
my parenting and then
act like I'm the crazy one.
It is a talent.
I do apologize for the delay.
The X-rays took some time.
Where is she?
Is she OK?
There's no good
way to say this.
I'm afraid Mia
has neuroblastoma,
an aggressive form of cancer.
That's impossible.
Mia was completely
fine just days ago.
Alvin, tell her.
She's fine.
Unfortunately, a patient
can go from no symptoms
to a belly mass overnight.
No, you have the
X-ray mixed up.
I'm certain of it.
I'm so sorry.
Good girl.
Get that down, you.
We all need our greens.
Bring them to the
lab, would you, Bob?
Nice to meet you, Bob.
Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen.
The quality of this
sawdust needs improving.
I will make a note
for the technician.
I think you're really on to
something with
combination chemotherapy.
If we can figure out how
to minimize side effects,
it could be very substantial.
We?
There are people here who
want to help, Dr. Evans.
And I suppose you're
one of those people?
I am.
Of course.
So tell me, what is it I
have to do in order for you
to help me?
Uhm.
Oh.
No.
No, no, no.
I wasn't implying.
Oh, I thought--
I was trying to help.
I'm just-- I'm going to go.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Come on.
Hi, guys.
Who's winning today?
Well, we're all on six.
Oh, gosh.
We we're all on six, so.
Where's seven?
Oh, seven is right there.
Oh, OK.
Who's going first?
Shall I adjudicate?
That was very good flick.
I'll see you later.
[HUMMING]
Pardon me, coming through.
Oh, excuse me.
Keep on keeping on.
[CHEERING]
I know.
Thank you.
There, primary tumor extracted.
Thank you.
Lymph nodes ready for biopsy.
Thank you.
Yeah.
All right.
And the left area.
Sponge, please.
Thank you.
I need you to move
my study up the queue.
- I can't.
- Can't or won't.
I can't show favoritism
inside my own department.
It's a fast way
to lose friends.
I didn't realize it
was a popularity contest.
What if I got a pharmaceutical
company to sponsor it?
There's not enough
room in the lab.
One study in, one study out.
It's common sense, really.
You're shaking them.
- Would you like to hold one?
- No.
No, you're doing fine.
Got the lymph nodes.
There must be another way.
Ohm must there be?
You know, I really don't care
for your negative attitude.
I'm a realist.
I'm very sorry, Ms. Watson.
Surgery has confirmed
that the tumors in Charlie
have spread to his
right lymph nodes.
And our treatments will not
work fast enough to stop them.
So what?
What are you saying?
Most patients with Charlie's
prognosis do not survive.
And if this was my son, I
would take him home now.
He was just born.
This can't be it, right?
No.
Dr. Lewis's
assessment is valid,
but there is still a chance.
The doses of chemotherapy
that have been applied so far
are the lowest available.
Because he's a baby.
There is room to increase
the doses should Charlie
be responding, which he is.
You have a choice.
I said no.
Mia, please.
MIA: I don't want to be poked.
What if I show
you on horsey first?
Here, we got blood going
up and down to our hooves,
or your hands.
I'm going to find a nice
vein and pop the medicine in.
No.
Hi.
You must be Mia.
I'm Dr. Dan.
Hey, do you like flowers?
Dr. Audrey's medicine is
actually made out of flowers.
It's called the
Madagascar periwinkle.
And it's a beautiful
pink flower.
And it's very hard to find.
That's true.
And it's only for the
very special children,
this magic medicine.
You talk funny.
Whatever do you mean?
Mia or Philadelphia?
Shall I give thee
the magic medicine,
or shall I give it
to somebody else?
Hmm?
Yoo hoo.
Is there anybody who
would like Mia's medicine?
No.
I want my magic medicine.
Ah.
Well, seeing as you
asked so nicely,
I think we can arrange that.
Shall we count to three?
One, two, say magic medicine.
There we go.
That was rather good,
that flower bit.
- Oh, it works half the time.
- And the other half?
Bribery.
What else have you
got up your sleeve?
The cure to cancer?
Slow and steady
wins the race, right?
We can do better than that.
The Cobalt-60 source has
a Dmax of 0.5 centimeters,
just under the skin.
Now, since Mia's abdominal
neuroblastoma is midplane,
we'll treat her
with anterior as
well as posterior post fields,
150 rads a day, five days
a week.
Clear?
As you learned, the lead
kilometers prevent radiation
leakage to unintended
parts of Mia's body,
as well as anyone else in
the room, such as me, you,
there's Roberts over there.
So let's head out.
Good.
[MACHINE WHIRRING]
There we go.
I got you right here.
All right.
I know.
WOMAN: The Carroll family
wants to talk to Dr. James.
They've run into some
financial hardship,
and they're thinking about
taking Courtney home.
Tried to find him
somewhere to stay.
I've looked over on Bainbridge.
No luck.
If you can think of anything,
will you let me know?
OK.
Thank you.
BOY: I wonder what the
food up there is like.
GIRL: Oh, yeah.
Everybody can eat everything.
Will there be cotton candy?
BOY: I think so.
Are you scared?
Not really.
I'll probably miss my
brother and my friend Billy.
Because Billy has
the best treehouse.
I wonder if we'll be able
to play with the clouds.
GIRL: We should be able to.
I mean, it's our own place.
How are you
finding Philadelphia?
A bit rough around the edges.
Hmm?
Well, I'm a New Yorker, so.
Well, I'm a Yorker, so.
You know, York, England,
historic walled city.
No, I understood.
You didn't laugh.
I didn't realize
it was a joke.
Where's the farthest
place you've ever been?
Japan.
- Oh, marvelous.
- Mhm.
Work or pleasure?
Before I was married, I
was a military physician.
I still wonder what we might
have given those pilots
to keep him awake.
It's rather funny, isn't it,
that you went around the world
to become a doctor, and I
had to come all the way here.
Do I tip my hat to you?
What for?
Passing the same tests as you?
Moving to a new
country alone.
I wanted to be a doctor.
There's a lot to do.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
RECEPTIONIST: OK.
Thanks, Ray.
Good afternoon.
Jarva Pharmaceuticals.
How may I-- miss, you
can't go back there.
Miss.
Miss, you're not
allowed back there.
Miss.
Miss, they are in a meeting.
MAN: Jarva Pharmaceuticals.
We allocate resources
to develop these-- whoa.
Who-- who are you?
Dr. Audrey Evans, head of
pediatric oncology at CHOP.
I'm sorry, sir.
She didn't--
It's all right.
I'd like to speak with
you about sponsoring
a groundbreaking new
research study with two
of your chemotherapy drugs.
We're in the middle of--
Hold on a moment.
Continue.
The proposal
suggests applying
cyclophosphamide and
vincristine in low doses
in combination to
combat neuroblastoma.
I've laid out the projected
expenses there on page three.
The mice, the
resources, and the drugs
will cost you $350,000.
How much?
That's a lot of money.
I know.
But if this works,
not only will we save
lives, but it will positively
impact your bottom line.
Imagine how many
chemotherapy drugs
you'll sell if it becomes
commonplace to use
two instead of one.
We're ready,
Dr. Chicken Koop.
Oh, you think so, huh?
All right.
Let's get out here
in the hallway.
I'm going to win this race.
Right out the
door, both of you.
There you are.
All right.
Come on.
Right down the hall.
[CHICKEN NOISES] All right.
Runners, stand.
Ready, set, go.
[LAUGHTER]
She got Jarva Pharmaceuticals
to sponsor her study.
She did?
Do you know what that means?
I don't have all the facts.
Why does that matter?
It's as if the
rules don't apply.
She's making a complete
mockery out of all of us.
Have you finished your
citations for your paper
on bone marrow transplants?
Have I finished my-- no, I
haven't, but I've been on--
Well, do your work, Jeremy.
Under no circumstances are
you to hurt the mice more
than absolutely necessary.
Animals are living beings,
and thus we treat them
politely and with respect.
[SNICKERING]
Thank you very much.
You may leave.
MAN: I didn't mean to--
Anyone else find this funny?
Absolutely not.
These are the
standards that Jarva
demands, and so do I. We do not
do tail injections in my lab.
If that was part of your
training, unlearn it.
It causes unnecessary
discomfort to the mice
and has a higher risk
of extravasation.
We exclusively do
retrobulbar sinus injections.
Be extremely careful.
Excessive pressure to the neck
and the surrounding vessels
can impede blood flow or
worse, collapse the trachea.
Now then, like so.
And finally, we give thanks
to our little friends
for their service
to the greater good.
Who's first?
What are you thinking?
At the moment?
Whether I really want
that sandwich or I
want to skip to dessert.
JEREMY LEWIS: You
went to Jarva.
Ah, that.
Yes, that.
If I use smaller
batches of mice,
we can get another
study in there.
Jarva committed up to $1
million for a new study here.
That could have gone
to Bob's congenital heart
A million?
disease proposal or Stanley's
whooping cough study.
But instead, we are stuck
with a chemotherapy study
at a third of the price
with drugs we already use.
But not in combination.
It's about--
I really have to
get on with this.
You took their bait.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
[SIGHS]
WOMAN: Shuttle time, 6:00.
School pickup's at 4:00.
Host families are full.
For those of you looking for
long-term housing options,
here's a list of rentals.
AUDREY EVANS: Very good.
And a few more.
Ready for backstroke?
And splash.
2, 3.
Very good.
We're nearly at the end.
Arms out like a zombie.
And bend the knees.
And bend the knees.
2, 3, 4.
Bravo.
Well done.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much
for your donations.
And you braved the rain.
Thank you so much.
See you soon.
I'm exhausted
just watching you.
Next time, I'll
make you join in.
Maybe.
We left off on the lack of
funding for cancer research.
Could you turn that off?
Right.
So the federal
government allocates
$0.89 for cancer
research for every $19
that it spends on defense.
If we were to mount
a-- thank you, ladies.
Thank you.
If we were to mount a thrust
like the space program,
we could have cancer
licked in the '70s.
Well, how do we get the
government's attention?
Well, we make noise by
excelling at our craft.
In fact, I'm actually
waiting on results
for what could be a huge
breakthrough in cancer research
as we speak.
I'm so impressed by your
enthusiasm, Dr. Evans, really.
Well, most think
I'm an acquired taste.
I'm just pleased you
returned my call.
Lisa, I'm just going
to leave my bag here.
All right.
Hey.
Hi.
You missed this.
Wow.
Ta-da.
You know how to
make an entrance.
You were not at
supper with everyone.
Did you find somewhere
to stay tonight?
Charlie's not
getting any better.
And the bills are piling up.
I just--
The treatment makes him
appear worse than he is.
So how do you
know it's working?
Time.
I don't know what else to do.
I've been meaning to tidy up.
It's beautiful.
Hardly jams.
Yeah.
I love mine.
Hot date?
Oh, yes, with a big,
handsome hospital function.
Wow.
I sure hope you're
going with someone
special dressed in this.
Well, Sean Connery hasn't
returned my calls yet,
but there's still time.
The shower's just down
the hall to the left.
Everything all right?
I feel like I
should be there.
You're no good
to him exhausted.
We'll get you fed, and
watered, and rested.
And you'll be back
at it tomorrow.
OK?
I could eat.
Marvelous.
I can cook you scrambled eggs,
poached eggs, or hard boiled.
What would it be?
I mean, they're charging
$80 a week for one
room in this piece of junk.
That's just silly.
Remind me where home is.
Tennessee.
And how did you
end up at CHOP?
Two buses and a train.
I would have
walked if I had to.
Wow.
Wait.
You went scuba diving?
Yes.
It was a lovely trip.
But the littles did keep
trying to catch the fish.
How old are your kids now?
Oh, no, no.
Not my children, my
friend's children.
Sounds like a lot of work.
They're dears.
Plus, it's nice to
have the company.
Can you imagine littles
running around here?
It would be chaos, I'm sure.
Bon appetit.
Is it all it's
cracked up to be?
Australia?
Oh, yes, worth the ages
that we spent on the plane.
I mean, like, all of it.
It's a big world out there.
Who gets to see it?
Anyone who wants to.
I don't think it's
as easy as that.
I didn't say it was easy.
We made it here, didn't we?
Yeah.
I guess, we did.
Thank you.
Do you have a second
to join me downstairs?
Yeah, do you want to
take a little weight
off that ankle for a while
before we go out in public?
I'm never going to hear
the end of this, am I?
I am feeling relatively
chuffed about that win.
Oh, are you?
And I did tell you
not to dive for that.
I had it.
Just trying to help.
Well, that is your
problem, isn't it?
You're always just
trying to help.
First time I've
heard that complaint.
How long are you going to
keep up this act with Audrey?
$650,000 she cost us, Dan.
What else?
JEREMY LEWIS: Who else will
she reach out to, Vero Labs?
Zaltran Pharmaceuticals?
The more you help her, the more
she thinks that her actions
are acceptable.
Can't make this up.
Case in point.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
AUDREY EVANS: The
result's inconclusive.
The mice that
received equal parts
cyclophosphamide
and vincristine
should already show
significant tumor
regression based on dosing.
And yet some tumors are
shrinking and some aren't.
What am I missing here?
He really is so cute.
[LAUGHTER]
He really loves you.
I think I'll call him Frankie.
Oh, brilliant choice.
Frankie here gets
magic medicine like you
for his neck boo boos.
Here?
That's right.
Do you want to stroke his back?
My boo boo is bigger.
Well, that's because you're
bigger than Frankie, isn't it?
Does he have a tummy?
He does have a tummy.
Look.
It's here.
See?
It's not blue.
True, but that's because
his boo boos are in his
neck, remember?
You said he gets
magic medicine.
That's right.
But his boo boo isn't here.
Yes, dear, but
that's because--
you're absolutely right.
You're absolutely right.
Frankie should get
different magic medicine
from you because his boo
boo is in a different place
on his body.
Of course.
I need to put Frankie to
bed and talk to my friend.
And then I'll be right back.
OK?
Have you seen Koop?
No.
He's conducting
rounds in the NICU.
I was looking in
the wrong place.
I'm running late, Audrey.
I was analyzing the effects
of combination chemotherapy
on all tumors together.
Once I separated
them by location,
abdominal tumors had a
70% response rate, 70%.
And the neck tumors, they
barely respond at all.
You're suggesting
location is a major factor
in how patients respond.
And that we should tailor
treatment accordingly.
This is bigger than
combination chemotherapy.
That would be significant.
I need access
to CHOP's records.
I need the additional
data points.
You have to help
me to ask Koop.
I can't.
What about later?
In about an hour,
what are you doing?
I'm sorry.
[BABIES CRYING]
Hi, baby.
Hello, my friend.
AUDREY EVANS: Hello
Hello, young man.
Koop, I'd like to ask you
for permission to access
our neuroblastoma records.
Operating on a
baby's esophagus
is like sewing together
two pieces of wet spaghetti
at the bottom of
an ice cream cone.
Koop, the records.
The results
were inconclusive.
No, no, no, no.
I'm so close.
I have data that I
want to show you,
but it's just not enough yet.
I just need a little
bit more time.
Time that you weren't
afforded to begin with.
Return the funds.
No.
I'm-- I'm just a little--
I could have
fired you, Audrey.
Call Jarva.
Return the funds.
[BABIES CRYING]
Yes, I'm coming.
I'm coming.
Don't be so impatient.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
AUDREY EVANS: That
chicken was delicious.
You must give me the recipe.
There's a little creek by our
apartment that Charlie loves.
He giggles every time the
stream tickles his toes.
I want to give him
that one more time.
There's still
more we can try.
No.
You have done more than I
could ever thank you for.
Now I have to do
what's best for my son.
There's nothing I can
say to change your mind?
For what it's worth, I think
you would make a great mom.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Dr. Koop.
Dr. Koop.
C. EVERETT KOOP: Dr. Evans?
I need you to reconsider.
C. EVERETT KOOP:
Oh, good grief.
You're one of
the most decorated
surgeons in the country.
You successfully separated
the conjoined twins.
And then you set up
the first surgical NICU
of the United States.
That's because you don't
wait for science to catch up.
We have the opportunity to
do something extraordinary,
to change, change the-- the
course of a deadly disease.
I know you're not going
to give up now, Dr. Koop.
Please.
Just please talk to me.
Please.
I need-- I need to--
Dr. Koop.
Dr. Koop, please.
I'm having a swim.
Dr. Koop.
Have you lost your mind?
I need to continue the trial.
I need those records.
I said no.
What alternative do we have
to innovate at all costs?
Dr. Evans--
Please.
Please, we cannot-- we
cannot let perfection
get in the way of progress.
If we stop moving, then
we'll lose all hope.
And hope is what we have.
Thank you.
My first year on
the job, a newborn was
delivered with her abdominal
organs in her chest cavity.
She had maybe 15
minutes to live.
There was no time for
permissions or protocols,
and I decided to operate.
Did she live?
She did.
What some saw as brilliant,
others saw as reckless.
Or both.
I've learned the
difference between impulse
and action, Doctor.
There's a fine line.
And when that line is
crossed, it can be near
impossible to reverse course.
Why did you bring me here?
I'm a masochist.
Ha ha.
Why do you think?
Children think I'm funny.
I know what
you're capable of.
Do you?
I'll give you access.
Thank you.
You have until the gala.
That's two weeks.
OK then.
Find the line, Audrey.
That's not my car.
Well, thank goodness.
It's needlessly flashy.
I'm getting the data.
I've got two weeks.
Good.
I know you're intrigued.
I've read your work.
You don't write over 100
publications on radiation
therapy being a hat rack.
We need each other.
What are you afraid of?
This is how it
would have to be done,
no barging into pharmaceutical
companies, no reporters,
everything by the book.
You have my word.
You do.
There's a lot to do.
We're sorting the
files in here?
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
It's perfect.
Name, age.
[MUMBLING]
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Julian Freeman, 12 years old.
Tumor's in the bone
marrow and liver.
Deceased.
12 years old?
DAN D'ANGIO: 12.
Yeah.
David Galloway, 13,
abdominal mass biopsy.
Deceased.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
What is it?
Well, tumors that start
in one place and then move
to another have a
different response
rate than those that don't.
So we shouldn't be sorting
only by initial tumor location.
But also if it
metastasized and to where.
You're right.
[ENERGETIC MUSIC]
Wait.
Children 18 months and younger
have a higher survival rate.
Yes.
And the older children,
their survival rate
is significantly less.
Because the tumors
have already metastasized
by the time of diagnosis.
Age is definitely
another prognostic factor.
Definitely.
Definitely.
We need to start again.
Where do we get more data from?
That is the question.
Dr. Evans?
Come quick.
It's OK, baby.
It's OK.
OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
Where is your special cup?
- I forgot it.
What do you mean
you forgot it?
I asked you for one thing.
FATHER: Just give
her a cup of water.
She won't drink
from these cups.
If you were here,
you would know that.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK, baby.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK, baby.
It's OK.
It's OK.
All right.
All right.
All right.
Two milligrams of morphine.
It's all right.
We're going to
take the pain away.
It's all right.
The nurse is getting you
some medicine to make it
better really, really quickly.
Thank you.
We need new sheets.
Oh, baby.
It's OK.
It's OK.
It's OK.
[TENSE MUSIC]
All right.
The newspaper doesn't
sell itself, you know.
And John quit.
I got his clients.
About to receive
top sales bonus
if I keep the pace
of them going.
How nice.
How can she think that
I don't want to be here?
Emotions are high.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I need to be in five
cities this week.
I won't make it to all five.
I wish I could give
you the answer you want.
I'm so sorry.
I don't want you to be sorry.
I want you to save my daughter.
I'm trying.
Trying?
God.
There is something
else, but it's new.
It's experimental.
I believe in it.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Today, you're going to
get two magic medicines
instead of just one.
I am?
AUDREY EVANS: Yes.
You're going to be the
first person in the world
to get two in combination.
And then hopefully, if it
makes the boo boo in your belly
get smaller, we'll be able to
give it to your friends too.
OK.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
Now, this is your pink flower.
Well done.
And I'm going to
wash that down.
Now we're going
to get number two.
We're going to
put your arm here.
Let's keep that
nice and stable.
You keep that still for me.
All right?
So impressive.
You got his access
to Keystone General.
And who did you say
your friend was again?
DAN D'ANGIO: Old college buddy.
Excellent physician,
Dr. Laurie Naiman,
all the data we can gather.
But we must respect
his parameters.
No wandering the
hospital halls,
stay quiet, and put the files
back where we find them,
and keep a low profile.
Oh, hello, lovely.
Oh, you're gorgeous.
Look at you.
Look at you.
Low profile.
Low profile.
And maybe no more
coffee because we're
going to be stuck in a
closet for about two hours.
Oh, you don't need
to worry about that.
Oh.
My detrusor muscle
is very relaxed.
I can hold it all day.
That's good to know.
How old do you think she is?
Large trunk.
Horizontal branches.
Pretty old.
Oh.
A fellow horticulturalist.
Not just a hat rack.
My goodness.
He does have a sense of humor.
Don't tell.
Please.
Hey.
Audrey.
Come on in.
Watch your step.
Thanks, Laurie.
We're going to go up
these back stairs here.
There she is.
Stay here till I
come get you, OK?
Thank you so much, Laurie.
And that's true.
OK.
OK.
I still don't understand why
we're not meant to be here.
If it's their data and
we make the breakthrough,
CHOP gets all the credit, so--
And so?
And so, so, so politics.
Are you ready?
Start at the top.
Yes, ma'am.
Thank you.
Tommy Gallagher,
five years old.
Neuroblastoma in the abdomen.
Next one, Herbert
Jacobs, 18 months old.
It's a neuroblastoma in
his abdomen, left anterior.
His ferritin was 18.
Encapsulated clotted blood.
Tumor in the biopsy.
I actually wanted to
take a look at this file,
just kind of poking around.
Make sure I didn't
miss anything.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
[DISTANT VOICES]
DAN D'ANGIO: Hey.
Come here.
What are you doing?
I think, Mr. 86--
DAN D'ANGIO: Shh.
I think Mr. 86 in
the tight joggers
was here raising money
for cancer research.
DAN D'ANGIO: He did.
That is Fred Hill
from the Eagles.
The Eagles?
Yeah.
The Eagles is a
football team, not--
not soccer, though.
It's more like rugby.
But it's better than rugby.
Well, let's talk about it--
Whoever they are, we
should go and talk to them.
No, let's not.
Let's not.
Yeah, just a minute.
Just a minute.
Audrey.
We're going to--
Just come.
Just follow me.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Are you going to speak to me?
OK.
Act like a child.
Me act like a child?
What are you implying?
It was a mistake to take you.
That's rude.
Why did you
drag me into this?
I'm sorry for dragging
you into finding a better
way to treat my children.
They are not
just your children.
Audrey, I carry them with me
everywhere I go, when I sleep,
when I eat.
Wherever I am, their
faces are there.
This new system could mean
that they didn't die in vain.
And you're just going
to throw it all away.
How could you be so careless?
How dare you?
Is there a point
where you take
accountability for anything?
Would you please
get back in the car?
Why would I?
I'm careless.
Audrey.
Audrey.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
[KNOCKING]
Hello.
MAN: I told these damn kids
to get off my property,
or I'm going to call the
cops if I have to come
down here one more time.
Who are you?
I'd like to buy your house.
No thanks.
Why on earth not?
Bring your husband.
I'll consider it.
It's not for me.
If you must know, it's going
to be a home away from home
for families to
stay free of charge
whilst their children
are treated at CHOP.
I don't care if you're
buying it for the queen
of England, lady.
Doctor.
Right.
[DOOR SLAMS]
I was going to
get the red roses,
but the florist
convinced me that she
liked the white ones better.
Now, I don't know.
Do you think I should go back
and get the red roses too?
Sure.
Why not?
Right.
That's what I was thinking too.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Are you sure we should
be walking around here?
Yeah.
I-- I really--
I really don't think
we should be here.
[KNOCKING]
MAN: All right.
Stand up straight,
and be my husband.
Sorry, your what?
No.
No.
Audrey, this is a bad idea.
My husband.
How much for the house?
[CHUCKLES]
We should go.
Dr. Evans.
[POUNDING]
Dr. Evans.
Lady, get the hell
off my property.
Don't speak to
my wife like that.
I mean, besides, your
house is falling apart.
I mean, like, this
porch, for instance.
It's sloping.
And the caulking
is-- is peeling.
And I am certain that it is
rotten underneath these stairs.
No one is going to buy
this place, including us.
So let's go.
Doc.
Audrey.
Wait.
60,000.
- 30.
- 50.
34, and I'll get
a mortgage today.
[TRIUMPHANT MUSIC]
For a five-year mortgage,
it'll be 10% interest.
First payment is
due next quarter.
When your husband gets here,
we can finalize the paperwork.
Sadly, he's drowning at work.
He's got a really
important job in finance.
I call him my money man.
Everyone needs a
money man, right?
Then I'll need a form of
government identification
and your marriage license.
Can't I just sign for him?
Afraid not.
I need your paperwork
or your husband.
Like I said,
he's terribly busy.
And I actually lost
my marriage license.
Can you believe it?
I'm so careless.
He's always telling me
I ought to do better.
Do you have a
male family member
nearby that could co-sign?
I don't know if
the accent gave
it away, but not nearby, no.
Right.
I'm-- I'm sorry, ma'am.
I don't make the rules.
Standard procedure.
[SERIOUS MUSIC]
I have an idea of
how to get more data.
I'd like your
permission to pursue it.
May I?
You may.
OK.
See you next week, sir.
Hey.
I'm on probation, Dan.
I've never even
missed a day of work.
I'm so sorry.
And you know me.
You messed up.
I sure did, so you
know if I'm here,
it'd for a very
important reason.
What if CHOP and Keystone
General work together?
What if we started the
world's first neuroblastoma
research crew?
- Dan.
- Come on.
We're going to share data.
We're going to
share test results.
And then we're going to finish
the staging system together.
As in we share the
success, not just CHOP?
No.
And it doesn't stop there, OK?
We're going to
recruit hospitals
from all over the country,
someday the world.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Hello.
Hi.
What are you doing?
Is Mia asleep?
Looks like it.
[PLAYFUL MUSIC]
I'm going to a party.
I wish you could
all come with me.
It'd be much more interesting.
- Yeah.
What color would your dress
be if you were going to go?
Rainbow.
Rainbow color.
I'm going to give Mia a little
surprise because she's been
so sad recently, hasn't she?
Do you think a surprise
is a nice idea for her?
Yeah.
And then Bunny
can cheer her up.
Can I give Bunny
a kiss good night?
- Yeah.
- OK.
Good night, Amora.
Sleep tight.
Good night, Charles.
Mia.
Mia, dearest.
Hello.
Why are you in that dress?
I know.
I've got a surprise for you.
Do you feel strong
enough to sit up?
MIA: Mm-hmm.
All right.
Slowly.
Slowly.
All right.
Wave to Charles.
Try and get some rest, Ashley.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
Off we go.
Hang on one more moment.
And open.
Why is the sky pink?
God took a
paintbrush and made
it extra pretty because He
knew you were coming to see it.
Oh.
Now, Mia, tomorrow, we're
going to take a few more
pictures of your tummy,
see if the magic medicine
is working, all right?
I'll be right there beside you.
Do you trust me?
You know, when I was your age.
I didn't feel good either.
You cut your hair too?
No, dear.
But I stayed in the hospital
for a really long time.
Some of my friends
floated up together too.
But I don't want to float up.
We all float up
to heaven sometime.
But what if I get lost
and my mommy can't find me?
Oh, sweetie.
You don't need to
worry about that.
Your mommy will always,
always be able to find you.
How can she see
me if I'm clear?
My pop pop's in the sky, and
I can't see him even though I
squeeze my eyes really hard.
Oh.
Did he forget to
tell you how to see
him before he floated up?
Oh.
Well, let me show you.
When you go to heaven, you get
to pick a cloud to live in.
But only your family knows
which cloud is yours.
So you tell me, which
one does grandpa live in?
The heart-shaped one.
Brilliant.
Now, every time you see
a heart-shaped cloud,
that's grandpa saying hello.
Hi, pop pop.
[SENTIMENTAL MUSIC]
We expect our boys to
bring home a Super Bowl.
You gentlemen can make
that happen, right?
Easy.
[LAUGHTER]
Excuse me a moment.
Well, you clean up nice.
Not so bad yourself.
I want you to present
your staging system tonight.
Here?
It's not ready.
You'll do fine.
[CALM JAZZ MUSIC]
Walk with me?
We will be going through
the grand legislature
entrance of City Hall.
Now, there are four completely
different unique entrances.
And each one has its own
themes, its own allegory.
Apparently, when the architect
John McArthur Jr. began
construction in
1871, I believe,
he had some pretty
high hopes to give
Philadelphia the tallest
building in the world.
Well, about 30 years later,
when they finally finished
construction, it was too late.
The Eiffel Tower and
the Washington Monument
had already been completed.
And Mr. Tour
Guide, what's this?
Well, some people believe
it stands for unity.
It's all working together
to uphold democracy.
Yes, but at what
point do the big cheeses
lift up the people instead
of the other way around?
Yeah.
So, where next?
We could just run away.
I don't have a
driving license.
I will do the driving.
Where should we go?
Well, I hear Timbuktu is
lovely at this time of year.
Me too.
Dan, I--
Rally this crowd.
Get them to see the importance
of the staging system.
It could change everything.
You really know how
to calm the nerves.
My wife says I'm
too blunt at times.
I will share the
implications of identifying
the proper prognosis early
in the staging system.
And then I will--
Audrey.
It's a good plan.
C. EVERETT KOOP: We have access
to laboratories and research,
unparalleled engineering,
physiological,
and pharmacological expertise.
And our new building
will be second to none.
But there are hurdles ahead.
We need your help now
more than ever before.
Your gifts, great and
small, for the construction
of our new children's hospital
will never pay dividends
in cash, but it will
do so in the benefits
to children, this nation's
only priceless possession.
We have gathered the
world's brightest minds.
This year, we have
recruited the leading force
in oncology, Dr. Audrey Evans,
to lead our cancer department.
And I ask her now
to say a few words.
Dr. Evans.
[APPLAUSE]
Hello.
Um.
Nothing more uplifting
than pediatric cancer
on a Thursday evening, hmm?
[COUGHING]
[CLEARS THROAT]
I have a friend called Mia.
She's seven years old,
beautiful little girl.
Has her whole
life ahead of her,
except she has neuroblastoma,
the deadliest solid tumor
in pediatric cancer,
which kills 90%
of the children who have it.
Earlier today, Mia asked me
if she could take her toy
pony with her to heaven.
I don't know about
you, but I'd much
rather she play
with her pony here
with the people who love her.
Our current methods
simply aren't working.
And the ones that do work
leave lasting long-term damage
to our children.
So we are creating a
revolutionary staging system
that will allow us to tailor
treatment to each child's
unique diagnosis and pave a
brighter future for the Mias
that we treat every day.
[APPLAUSE]
But a sick child is
also a sick family.
Not only must we treat the
medical needs of a child,
but also the emotional and
financial needs of the family.
People travel from all over the
world to be treated at CHOP.
And they often have
nowhere to stay.
The lucky ones, they
sleep on floors, hallways.
But often, they cut their
child's treatment short because
they can't afford the hotels.
So I humbly, humbly ask you
this evening for donations
so that we can buy a home for
them to stay, free of charge.
[APPLAUSE]
There's our dreamer.
Thank you, Dr. Evans.
Next, we will hear from our
cardiology department, whose
surgical innovations have
led to significant strides
in the treatment of
congenital heart disease.
[CAR HONKING]
[PHONE RINGING]
You administered
trial combination
chemotherapy on Mia?
I had to.
Oh, you had to?
She's going to die
anyway, and you
put her through
unnecessary pain
for nothing, and her parents.
Her parents were the ones
who begged me to do something.
God damn it, Audrey.
They're desperate.
They're going to
agree to anything.
You have no idea
what it's like.
Well, of course, none
of us do, really, but--
I had a son.
I had a son.
I didn't know.
Until the board reaches its
decision, you cannot be here.
What about my patients?
They're no longer
your responsibility.
Please don't do this.
I tried, Audrey.
You didn't listen.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I want Dr. Audrey.
I don't want to go with you.
Dr. Audrey, you promised
you'd go with me.
Oh, dear.
I'll put a Band-Aid on it.
It's OK.
It's all right.
I'm a doctor.
I'm a doctor.
I have a Band-Aid in here.
One moment, dear.
Just in here.
There we go.
I knew I had one somewhere.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm-- sorry.
Sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
[SAD MUSIC]
[DARK MUSIC]
Dr. Audrey Evans, who was
recently recruited by this
institution as chief
of pediatric oncology,
has violated hospital rules by
applying chemotherapy agents
in unapproved combinations to
seven-year-old cancer patient
Miss Mia McAlister, correct?
After seeing significant
progress in animal research,
yes, I applied targeted
combination chemotherapy
to a dire patient.
Yes or no will be fine.
Dr. Evans' actions
have violated hospital
codes 301, 373, and 546.
The codes are as follows, not
gaining appropriate permissions
on a clinical trial,
exposing the hospital
to a potential lawsuit,
and the worst infraction,
endangering a patient.
Dr. Evans, you now
have a chance to tell
your side of the story.
I have worked at
the most prestigious
institutions all
over the world and
trained under Sidney Farber.
We have your resume.
We just need to understand
why you changed Mia's therapy.
Mia is what I classify
as an extreme case.
Her tumor had already
spread from the abdomen
into the bone marrow.
Our standard therapies are
not targeted nor strong enough
to combat such a scenario.
And what made you think
your new method would work?
Applying chemotherapies
in combination
has a track record of
success in leukemia patients.
But Mia has neuroblastoma.
AUDREY EVANS: Often
one can infer patterns.
That alone is not
reason enough to act.
But coupled with a mice study
and a new staging system--
A staging system?
AUDREY EVANS: I
and my colleagues
have reason to
believe that tumors
respond differently based on a
number of prognostic factors.
We can no longer treat
all children the same.
Please submit the staging
system to the board for review.
I need more data to
complete it with certainty.
So after getting short-term
lab-based data and using
an incomplete staging
system, you changed
a patient's treatment
to a therapy
regimen that lacks any prior
clinical trial or permissions.
Dr. Evans, no one here is
doubting your talent or
your impressive credentials.
I do not envy the
work that you do.
In fact, I empathize and
even understand why you
acted the way that you did.
Any person might do the same.
But you are not any person.
You are a doctor.
And if we keep you,
we would be endorsing
this reckless and potentially
life-threatening behavior.
That is not a standard
we wish to set at CHOP.
Kate, is
everything all right?
Yes.
It's terrific.
Just terrific.
Look.
No more blue.
Oh, my goodness.
I know.
It's incredible.
Did he undergo a
different treatment at home?
No.
It just went away.
Can you believe it?
Clever boy.
Come in.
Come in.
Come in.
Up we go.
[PHONE RINGING]
Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia.
AUDREY EVANS (ON PHONE):
Dr. Brian Faust, please.
Oh.
Oh.
Dr. Faust, it's for you.
Thank you.
Brian Faust.
AUDREY EVANS (ON PHONE):
Brian, it's Audrey.
Oh.
Hey.
Hey.
Dr. Evans, how are you?
I-- I have--
AUDREY EVANS: I need you
to sneak me into CHOP.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Are you sure
that's a good idea?
AUDREY EVANS (ON PHONE):
I need to get in.
Please.
This way.
This way.
Watch your step.
Got it?
Right over here.
Be careful here.
Brian, I-- I promised I
wouldn't miss dinner again.
Yeah.
Well, surprise.
Charlie Watson's tumor
disappeared with no treatment.
What?
If we can finish
the staging system
and figure out why
Charlie's tumor went away--
There's still
not enough data.
Well, actually, Keystone
General sent over the files
that you requested.
I understand
if you walk away.
I jeopardized everything
we worked for.
I see that now.
No treatment at all?
None.
Gone?
The tumor
regressed completely.
Wilms tumor was
successfully removed.
Next time, we need to
do a far better job
of ensuring that the
blood supply is fully
ablated before the resection.
There's far too much abdominal
bleeding for my liking.
Am I boring you?
Mia's tumor shrank.
Remarkable.
It's combination
chemotherapy.
You're certain?
No other variables changed.
There's no other explanation.
But we caught it too late.
I see.
Damn.
What are you going
to do with this?
Hmm.
So we've got stage
one, where the tumor
is confined to one organ.
DAN D'ANGIO: Good prognosis.
Stage two, the
tumor spreads, but not
across the middle of the body.
DAN D'ANGIO: Not so good
prognosis, but still treatable.
Stage three, where
the tumor spreads
beyond the middle of the body.
DAN D'ANGIO: Not
a great prognosis.
Stage four, the tumor goes
across the middle of the body
and travels to places such
as the brain and bone marrow.
DAN D'ANGIO: Very
bad prognosis.
And then this
special fifth stage
that looks like stage
four, but then the tumor
spontaneously regresses.
DAN D'ANGIO: Like Charlie.
But this only applies to
children under the age of one.
And if the cancer
spreads, then it
must be contained
to the liver, bone
marrow, skin,
and/or lymph nodes,
but only on one
side of the body.
AUDREY EVANS: That's right.
We should call it 4S for
spontaneous regression.
AUDREY EVANS: Yes.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
We did it.
That's it.
We did it.
My children count on me.
They laugh with me.
They cry with me.
And sometimes I'm
the last person
they see before their
journey to heaven.
They look to me to
have all the answers.
But what am I supposed to
do when I don't have them?
Should I just accept that
that's how things are,
or do I fight with everything
I've got to change that?
As sorry as I am for
the trouble I've caused,
I'm not sorry for doing what I
know is right for my children
because they're
your children too.
And they're counting on us,
each and every one of us,
to figure this out, to
rise to the occasion
and figure this out.
We owe it to them
to do just that.
After reviewing all the
facts and the new data
provided by Dr.
C. Everett Koop,
we have decided to allow you
to resume your position here
on probation.
Good.
I hesitate to ask,
but what new data?
It pertains to Mia
McAlister most recent scans.
Is she OK?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
FATHER: Do you remember when we
taught her how to ride a bike?
Hurry.
Go.
Mia.
Mia.
It's Dr. Audrey.
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Hello.
Hello, my dear.
I'm here too, my dear,
just like I promised.
I'm not going anywhere.
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC]
[CRYING]
[SAD MUSIC]
[DISTANT VOICES]
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
After you.
Well, I hope you boys
win all of the football
matches this season.
And thank you so
much for coming.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
It was a pleasure.
- We'll speak soon.
Well done.
[DISTANT VOICES]
Well, brava.
I don't even know
where to start.
Start from the
beginning, please.
So the Eagles boys loved
my house pitch from the gala.
Can you believe it?
Then Laurie's such a dear.
Set about this marvelous
introduction and then
really bigged me
up in the meeting.
What'd you lead with?
Imagine a British
doctor teams up
with American
footballers to buy
a house for families of sick
children to stay for free.
Now, that's what I
call a real home run--
no, touchdown.
Who could say no?
Oh, why, thank you.
Get your feet off my desk.
Goodness, I'm proud of you.
I'm proud of me too.
Hi.
Excuse me.
The test results
have come back.
And the Johnson
family would like
to speak to the both of you.
Shall we?
We shall.
Please.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
You are right.
It is a bit dreary
in here, isn't it?
Like I said, an aviary.
Birds around kids with
compromised immunity?
What's wrong with the finch?
A finch is a nice bird.
Very pleased to meet you.
Hello, sir.
Hi.
What's your name?
- Jaden.
Hi, Jaden.
I'm Dr. Audrey.
What have you got there?
- These.
Oh, amazing.
And this is Dan.
He's a doctor too.
I like your sweater.
Thank you.
So we were thinking
that you might like
to come into Dan's
office, and we could talk
about how you've been feeling.
OK.
Is that OK?
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC]
CHILD: Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Did we find someone?
Shh.
Sorry.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
[HOPEFUL MUSIC]
Did we catch the ghosts?
- Just missed them.
- Oh, rats.
What about the fairies?
Not here either.
Oh, dear.
But there are more.
I'll follow.
MAN: She insisted on a
meeting with the Eagles.
And I asked, how can we help?
She's really something.
MAN: Sure is.
Next thing you know, my buddy
from McDonald's, Ed Rensi,
donates all the proceeds
from The Shamrock Shake.
And here we are at the
Ronald McDonald House.
Wow.
Congratulations.
I have an idea.
Go that way.
[DISTANT VOICES]
Maybe we could have
an apple tree here.
Yeah.
And we'd have a
bunch of apples.
Tomatoes, strawberries,
blueberries.
What's another spice?
What?
Cinnamon?
- Yes.
We can put cinnamon
on our pies that we
bake with our strawberries
and our blueberries.
[LAUGHTER]
You're making me hungry.
What color is this?
That's the important question.
Well, there's white
roses and red roses.
Let me see.
Any nests?
Can you see any nests up there?
Where should we go to next?
[CAROLE KING, "YOU'VE GOT A
FRIEND"]
When you're down
and troubled
And you need some
love and care
And nothing
Nothing is going right
Close your eyes
and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even
your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running
To see you again
Winter, spring,
summer or fall
All you have to do is call
AUDREY EVANS: The
story isn't about me.
It's about children.
It's about love of how
you can make something
good come out of bad.
If by any chance, you should
have a child that either is
born with cancer
or gets cancer,
you probably will feel
this the word of cancer
will just really kill you.
You think, what worse
could happen to my child?
And if you see this movie, do
remember that it's not the end.
And call my name out loud
Soon you will
hear me knocking
At your door
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, running
Yeah, yeah
To see you again
Winter, spring,
summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
Yes, I will
Now, ain't it good to know
That you've got a friend
When people can be so cold?
They'll hurt you
Yes, and desert you
And take your soul
if you let them
Oh, but don't you let them
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, running
Yeah, yeah
To see you again
Winter, spring,
summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
Yes, I will
You've got a friend
You've got a friend
Ain't it good to know
you've got a friend?
Ain't it good to know
Ain't it good to know
Ain't it good to know
You've got a friend?
Oh, yeah, now
You've got a friend
Yeah, baby
You've got a friend
Oh, yeah
You've got a friend
[UPBEAT MUSIC]