URGENT CALL To ALL Implant Sisters (Oprah & Results)

Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 20:40:00 -0700

In a message dated 9/19/99 9:43:47 PM Central Daylight Time, JASLacy writes: [So sorry, resending with CORRECTED quote at bottom of page - please forward this copy] Dear support leaders, please post:

Dear Implant Sisters & Brothers,

If there has ever been a time when you wondered if your concerns and efforts about the silicone (containing) implant issue could make a difference, then know that NOW is the time it CAN.

After viewing Oprah's show on plastic surgery last week, I was appalled, speechless, and in shock. Afterall, this is the insightful television host who had guests like John Byrne (author of "Informed Consent") and John & Colleen Swanson on her show revealing their nightmarish experience with Dow Corning and that company's dangerous breast implants.

My husband and I are both writers and I am the survivor of a Dow Corning breast implant that ruptured after only 3 years, while in the course of breastfeeding my baby girl. Many of you know that I am in the process of wrapping up a 3 year book project on the breast implant issue which features dozens of stories of people harmed by these devices (including saline-filled and "other" types of implants) from around the world. I am up to my ears with proofing "DYING FOR CLEAVAGE AND OTHER BODY PARTS: How Millions Became Human Guinea Pigs in The Silicone Scam," and compiling a bibliography for the book before we go to editing. BUT, I am taking time out from this imperative work to share with you my concern over this latest Oprah show and the damaging effects its message can give to millions of women and young girls across the country.

It is one thing for 20/20 (which has shown to be partial to advertising dollars/sponsers in the past), or, the New York Times to run biased or misinformed data about breast implants (with a board member who financially benefits from the sales of breast implants), but it is another thing to have Oprah (who so many of us love and respect for her centered and loving nature) present a show that promotes a medical device that has devastated hundreds upon thousands of women and children, and their families.

IF YOU HAVE EVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT WRITING A LETTER THIS WEEK IS THE TIME TO DO SO. We must each take time in spite of (and BECAUSE OF) health challenges, to write Oprah. Below is an address to her offices in Chicago. It is SO imperative that THIS ONE TIME we ALL participate, for our UNISON can be a VITAL turning point in this issue AT THIS TIME.

I suggest we keep it brief but to the point; letting Oprah and her producers know how VERY disappointed we are at this program and how it could potentially destroy the health of millions of women across America. I will also briefly detail my illnesses and the health problems that my precious daughter has developed since my implant (THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE LASTED A LIFETIME) ruptured.

Other facts which are VITAL for Oprah to understand (as she, like so many, has probably been BOMBARDED by MISinformation by the pro-implant industry):

NO BREAST IMPLANT (of ANY kind) has EVER BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA

MORE than 100 STUDIES have been published in recent years BY VIABLE, CREDIBLE, DOCTORS & RESEARCHERS (who are NOT affiliated with the breast implant industry) which shows silicone to cause inflammatory immune responses and adverse effects in human and animal tissue.

More than ONE HALF MILLION WOMEN have experienced adverse health effects & complications, and over 300,000 have developed SERIOUS illnesses from silicone containing breast implants

ALL breast implants RUPTURE. (70% after 10 years, 100% after 20). ALL breast implants SEEP & BLEED (all silicone envelopes are permeable) ALL breast implants CONTAIN SILICONE! SALINE & SOY OIL turn RANCID or SPOIL after a few years within the body & when these rotten liquids leak or spill into the body they can cause severe health consequences!

It is known that there is a LATENCY effect (the time it takes for an implant to begin to degrade, leak, & rupture in the body) which gives a FALSE SENSE OF SAFETY. A NEW, THIRD WAVE OF VICTIMS are now turning up as this latency period comes into effect (thousands of whom, have ONLY had SALINE devices)

I will close in saying that I am ALSO planning to send a copy of my letter to all of Oprah's sponsors (who advertised during this episode), enclosed with a note that I (and my family) will no longer be buying their products until another show is aired that also portrays the FACTS about the TRUE DANGERS OF BREAST IMPLANTS.

My letter will be sent CERTIFIED, RECEIPT RETURN, because this requires a signature from someone from the company and is far more likely to be NOTICED. PLEASE JOIN ME NOW in this VITAL CAMPAIGN FOR TRUTH.

Oprah's address: Harpo Productions/Oprah

110 North Carpenter St

Chicago, IL 60607

Dana Newton, Alice McGee, Erin Aldridge, or Lisa Erspamer (these are producers or assistants you can put ATTENTION TO)

May we always REMEMBER: "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good people do nothing" ~ Edmund Burke

To TRUTH & JUSTICE and the PEACE & HEALTH it inspires,

Jamey Lacy author & implant survivor