From José Padilha, the Director of Narcos, RoboCop, and Elite Squad, American Cancer Story is a compelling short film in consultation with pediatric oncologists and gun violence experts designed to tackle the top issues threatening the safety of American children: cancer and gun violence. This groundbreaking initiative marks the first time that these two causes have united to combat the most significant dangers to children in America, transcending political boundaries to focus on the shared goal of safeguarding the younger generation. Scored with an original track by James Valentine of Maroon 5, the film takes the viewer through an emotional story of a young girl’s cancer journey. We follow a gripping montage of her heroic battle, from the devastating news of the diagnosis, the surgeries, and scans, to the debilitating side effects of treatment. Finally, after what seems like an endless cycle, she receives the news that her cancer is in remission. Her classmates greet her enthusiastically upon her victorious return to school. But this isn’t the happy ending we expected. Tragically, she survived cancer only to face a second life-threatening situation. The sad fact that gun violence has become the number 1 killer of American children is starkly delivered through the juxtaposition of the girl's promising prognosis against cancer and the sudden tragedy that unfolds in her school, emphasizing the urgent need for change. The film is supported by Change the Ref, an organization founded by the parents of Joaquin Oliver, tragically killed in the Parkland school shooting. Change the Ref's mission is to leverage creativity to protect as many children as possible, emphasizing the role of innovative approaches in tackling societal challenges.