Jan 20: Screening of "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead"

This pre-release screening of the inspiring documentary "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead" is hosted by Whole Foods Market at the Kelly Strayhorn Theatre, and will benefit PASA, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture.

Whole Foods Market, Pittsburgh is excited to announce the pre-release screening fundraiser of the uplifting documentary film 'Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead' at the Kelly Strayhorn Theatre in East Liberty. 'Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead' has screened as part of several film festivals garnering Best Documentary awards at Sonoma International Film Festival & at the Iowa Independent Film Festival.

The inspiring and entertaining film chronicles Joe Cross' personal journey to overcome disease and regain health through juice-fasting, and tells the stories of the people he meets and touches along the way.

The not-yet-released film will screen on January 20^th at 7:00pm with a juice tasting reception starting at 6:30pm. One juicer will be raffled off as a door prize. We are suggesting a $10 donation at the door which will benefit the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA).

6:30 p.m. Juice tasting reception, 7 p.m. film screening at the Kelly Strayhorn Theatre (5941 Penn Ave., 15206). Free, but consider a $10 suggested donation. Please RSVP to Kim Wynnyckyj Kim.wynnyckyj@wholefoods.com, 412-441-7960 x215 or Mark Staley mark.staley@wholefoods.com, 412-441-7960 x223

Film synopsis:

100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. In the mirror he saw a 310 lb man whose gut was gibber than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn't end well-with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn't far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe's personal mission to regain his health.

With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long-term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body's ability to heal itself. He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days. Across 3,000 miles Joe has one goal in mind: To get off his pills and achieve a balanced lifestyle.

While talking to more than 500 Americans about food, health and longevity, it's at a truck stop in Arizona where Joe meets a truck driver who suffers from the same rare condition. Phil Staples is morbidly obese weighing in at 429 lbs; a cheese burger away from a heart-attack. As Joe is recovering his health, Phil begins his own epic journey to get well. What emerges is nothing sort of amazing-an inspiring tale of healing and human connection.

Part road trip, part self-help manifesto, FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD defies the traditional documentary format to present an unconventional and uplifting story of two men from different worlds who each realize that the only person who can save them is themselves.