is a Leukemia and bone marrow transplant survivor and thriver. Diagnosed in August 1993 with Acute Myelocytic Leukemia, she was treated at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She received her new bone marrow from an anonymous donor through the National Marrow Donor Program. In March of 1998, Miriam's 81 year old mother was also diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and eventually died of the disease in August 1999. Miriam's personal experience now includes being a primary caregiver of a Leukemia patient. She has the unique perspective of being on both sides of the cancer experience.

Miriam is the founder of the non-profit Rite of Passage Cancer Project which has provided counseling, advocacy, education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families since 1996. The program's mission is to promote access to the highest quality of life possible to all people affected by cancer.

Miriam is authoring a new book entitled Everything but the Diagnosis, a guide to achieving the highest quality of life possible for people living with cancer and other chronic diseases.

A former trustee on the board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and former chairperson of the Patient Services Committee for the Rhode Island chapter, Miriam was also appointed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology to serve on its Health Services Research Committee Expert Panel. She served as the Executive Director of the Hope Center for Cancer Support in Providence, RI from 2000 - 2001.

Miriam is a trained counselor, voice, performance and personal effective coach, and leadership consultant. She is a seasoned and sought after speaker. She holds a Masters Degree in Holistic Leadership along with a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in the facilitation of the expressive and creative arts.

In 1994, Miriam produced and starred in a one night, one-woman show of story telling and singing performance about her personal journey through the Leukemia experience. Entitled "Who's Healing Who?" the show was held at the Amsterdam Room in New York City to a standing room only audience.

holds a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology as well as additional certifications in both hypnotherapy and Yoga therapy, a specialized system of deep trauma release. She is a member of the American Health Counselors Association. She also has a doctorate degree in Addiction.

In her private psychotherapy practice Santi uses a holistic approach, treating the mind, body and spirit. She specializes in personal empowerment as well as optimizing relationships in the family and workplace, recovery from childhood abuse, grief work and support for the critically ill.

In 1986 Santi co-developed a highly successful 3-phase program for adult children of alcoholics, which she later adapted to address the needs of anyone with a challenging family history. The program became a powerful synthesis of clinical psychology and of her own innovative traumatic release techniques.

Santi has published three books: The Obsidian Trials, Angels With Fur and her latest book, Islands in Heaven is a children's story for families faced with the loss of their child.

Santi is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She started her career as an actress with the National Shakespeare Company and went on to appear in TV and film. She worked as an associate producer in Los Angeles and New York on projects like the multimedia presentation of the 10,000 concert of the NY Philharmonic at Lincoln Center.

CONNECTIONS TO LIFE - is a synthesis of her two careers.

Crew

Camera and Direction
Trent Jacklitsch

Camera
Shawn Regrutto

Sound
Lance Vardis, Paul Kim

Editing
Summerhouse Productions

Mixing
Tom Lino

Sound Track
Jaui Schneider