Marisa Acocella Marchetto
Marisa Acocella Marchetto is a cartoonist for The New Yorker and Glamour magazines. Her work has appeared in the New York Times and Modern Bride, among other publications. She is the author of Just Who the Hell Is She, Anyway? and Cancer Vixen: A True Story, both published by Random House.[1] A New Jersey native, she has been married to restaurateur Silvano Marchetto[2] since 2004; they live in New York City.
Cancer Vixen: A True Story
Marchetto is best known for her 2006 graphic novel/memoir, Cancer Vixen: A True Story, about her 2004/2005 battle with breast cancer. Details in the memoir include her going through cancer treatments without health insurance, which she had allowed to lapse. In one cartoon panel she wrote,
- "...[W]hat does 29 Needles + 18 pounds + 15 radiation technicians + 11 Medical assistants + 9 Nurses + 8 Doctors + $192,720.04 + 2 Rabbis + 1 Priest =?"
- "Answer: ...An Experience That Has Changed Me Forever."[3]
Another set of panels show her cartoon self arguing with the Grim Reaper:
- "Listen Cancer, Ya Sick Bastard"
- "Finally, at 43, I'm Getting Married for the First Time"
- "And David Remnick, Editor in Chief of The New Yorker Wants to Publish More of my Cartoons"
- "NOW IS NOT A GOOD TIME!"
Response
Cancer Vixen: A True Story earned a Critics Choice recommendation from People magazine.
Shortly after its release, the book was optioned by Working Title Films in conjunction with Cate Blanchett.[4] In March 2013, it was announced that HBO Films is set to produce a film adaptation of the book starring Blanchett.[5]
Charitable work
Marchetto donates a portion of her Cancer Vixen royalties to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and is the founder of The Cancer Vixen Fund at Saint Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center, which funds free annual mammograms for uninsured women in New York City. On June 11, 2008, The fund raised $150,000. Currently, the fund has raised over $400,000. Marchetto has raised over $1,000,000 for cancer research and uninsured women.
References
- ↑ Marchetto's Random House biodata/CV
- ↑
- ↑ People, October 9, 2006, p. 53
- ↑ Roman, Julian (27 December 2006). "Cate Blanchett Talks Notes On A Scandal". MovieWeb.com. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
- ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr (12 March 2013). "Cate Blanchett To Star In HBO Adaptation Of 'Cancer Vixen'". deadline.com. Retrieved 13 March 2013.