On doctor’s orders, Mia Farrow is ending the fast she began 12 days ago to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan. "I have been instructed by my doctor to stop my fast immediately due to health concerns — including possible seizures," said Farrow in a statement. "I am fortunate. The women and children and men I am fasting for do not have this option."
Airline and music industry tycoon Sir Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin, plans to take over where Farrow left off and launch his own Darfur-inspired fast today. Branson intends to forgo food for three days in an effort to convince world leaders to restore international aid to the refugees in the Darfur region of Sudan. "I’m honored to be taking over the fast for the next three days from Mia Farrow in her courageous stance to support the people of Darfur," Branson said in a statement. "Over a year ago I travelled to Darfur and was horrified with the stories people of all ages shared with us. We cannot stand and watch as people suffer."
I suppose brandson feels he needs a publicity boost as well
I wonder what these rich people will start eating once their “hunger strike” ends?
For anyone that wants to join and find ways to act, please visit http://fastdarfur – where there blogs from Mia and other, and where Richard has also begun posting.
The website again, http://fastdarfur.org
fastdarfur.org
I know Richard Branson is a sweetheart by all accounts and I’m sure he gives tons of money away so I’m glad to hear he’s going to dig deep – not from his pockets but with his body and health to send the message that help is desperately needed. However, I hope hope hope he’s also starting programs there and hiring people to run them safely and fairly as well!!
Great way to bring awareness to a topic.
Fasting can be really healthy and spiritually uplifting.
See this trailer about a man who goes into the woods for 30 days without food.
Slow Down and Fast Movie – A true inspirational spiritual film
http://slowdownandfast.com/spiritual-films/
I applaud wanting to help those in Darfur, but I don’t believe Mia needed to “draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan” as stated in the article. Wording it that way, it makes it seem like if it weren’t for her actions, the world would be ignorant to the suffering there.
Many in the USA are going hungry on a daily basis due to employment. It would be a great help to OUR cause if a celeb would bring attention to OUR nation ignoring our plight.
Good Job Mia by you not eating for 12 days the quiting your “hunger strike” you really showed them. Where were all of these concerned celeberties when Saddam Hussain was torturing and starving the people of Iraq. Oh yea they were blaming Americans. Please explain the difference between Iraqi people and those in Darfur.
While I commend those that bring attention to the unfortunate countries of the world, I question where the funds/food that the US provides to these countries is going. I, would personally like to distribute to be certain it goes to the people and not the government of the oppressed nations. Again, we in the US also have many that go hungry..we need to address our own-today is Food Bank day, people do what you can to stamp out hunger in your community!!
I have new found respect for this wonderful individual! I hope that this disastrous situation in Darfur changes soon, the world needs to come together and stop the madness. I have been told about a new film coming out soon—Attack on Darfur—that covers the situation in Darfur in graphic detail. I heard that some of the actors in the film are actually real victims.