Update @ 6:14 EST: Anti-Vaccination Advocate Jenny McCarthy dropped from Ottawa Cancer Event
Please see CFI Announcement and make a donation to Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s Bust a Move™ fundraiser.
When Homer Simpson says, “Rock stars. Is there anything they don’t know?,” in “Lisa the Vegetarian” a 1995 episode of The Simpsons, he could have been discussing all celebrities, including Jenny McCarthy.
The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is bringing McCarthy to town March 2 to headline its annual Bust a Move fundraiser as a guest fitness instructor. But the actress, author and former Playboy playmate is perhaps best known these days for her unconventional views on autism, specifically her anti-vaccination writings.
CFI Canada, CASS, and Ottawa Skeptics have issued a joint response to McCarthy’s appearance at the Bust a Move Ottawa event and offer three ways for freethinkers to voice their own objections:
Dear Freethinkers,
The upcoming fundraising event “Bust a Move”, held regionally in Ottawa is planning to host Anti-Vaccination Advocate Jenny McCarthy as a headline speaker. McCarthy’s writings have contributed substantially to the belief that Vaccines cause Autism and Cancer. Together with CFI Ottawa, CASS and our allies at Ottawa Skeptics we have released the statement below.
Here are three great ways to help motivate the organizers at “Bust a Move” to rethink their choice of speaker:
1) Tweet your thoughts to the event organizers at @OttawaCancer and be sure to use the hashtag #dropjenny
2) Read – the Ottawa Citizen’s excellent coverage . . . and leave a comment expressing your dissatisfaction
3) Write to Ottawa Cancer CEO Linda Eagen – leagen@ottawacancer.ca and voice your opinion.