Children’s Champion
Philly-based screenwriter/producer Julia Fisher Farbman’s new film highlights the accomplishments of revolutionary CHOP oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans.
In 1969, Audrey Evans, M.D., a trailblazer in the field of pediatric cancer, became the first chief of pediatric oncology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she later founded the Children’s Cancer Center. Fifty-six years later, her life and legacy are being honored in a heartwarming film produced by local screenwriter Julia Fisher Farbman, head of Philadelphia-based Emblem Entertainment.
The new film, Audrey’s Children, captures Dr. Evans’ resolve and courage in advocating for new treatment methods for her young patients. She is credited with creating the first staging system for treating neuroblastoma, the deadliest form of pediatric cancer. She went on to co-found the Ronald McDonald House Charities to provide families with children undergoing treatment at CHOP with a home away from home.
The film, directed by Ami Canaan Mann, was shot at various locations throughout Philadelphia, including City Hall, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and Girard College. Dr. Evans is portrayed by actress Natalie Dormer, best known for her role in Game of Thrones, along with Jimmi Simpson, Clancy Brown, and Brandon Micheal Hall.
We spoke with Fisher Farbman, who was a close friend of Dr. Evans in real life, and worked closely with her to draft the script, in addition to obtaining the support of CHOP and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Q&A
When did you first meet Dr. Audrey Evans?
Dr. Evans was a longtime friend of my family, [and we were] involved in the first Ronald McDonald House, as well as the Children’s Cancer Center at CHOP. I didn’t realize until I was an adult that she was, quite literally, an icon. Once I learned about what she had accomplished in the field of pediatric cancer, I made it my mission to make sure everybody knew who she was.
When did you first meet Dr. Audrey Evans?
Dr. Evans was a longtime friend of my family, [and we were] involved in the first Ronald McDonald House, as well as the Children’s Cancer Center at CHOP. I didn’t realize until I was an adult that she was, quite literally, an icon. Once I learned about what she had accomplished in the field of pediatric cancer, I made it my mission to make sure everybody knew who she was.
What inspired you to make this film about her life story?
Back in 2017, I produced a series called Modern Hero that highlighted female role models from all walks of life, including Michelle Obama and Sister Mary Scullion [founder of Project H.O.M.E., which advocated for Philadelphia’s homeless population]. The episode we put together about Audrey got 17 million views, and we received hundreds of thousands of comments from people saying they’re alive because of Audrey or their family stayed at a Ronald McDonald House, or they enrolled in medical school because of meeting or being treated by her. I just felt this calling in my heart that, even though I had never written a script or produced a movie, I needed to tell her story.
Back in 2017, I produced a series called Modern Hero that highlighted female role models from all walks of life, including Michelle Obama and Sister Mary Scullion [founder of Project H.O.M.E., which advocated for Philadelphia’s homeless population]. The episode we put together about Audrey got 17 million views, and we received hundreds of thousands of comments from people saying they’re alive because of Audrey or their family stayed at a Ronald McDonald House, or they enrolled in medical school because of meeting or being treated by her. I just felt this calling in my heart that, even though I had never written a script or produced a movie, I needed to tell her story.
What role did she play in helping to bring the story to life?
Seven years ago, I went over to Audrey’s house and told her that I wanted to make a movie about her life. Being the humble person she was, she wanted to know why anybody would be interested in her story, but she agreed, as long as it would make a difference in the lives of children.
Seven years ago, I went over to Audrey’s house and told her that I wanted to make a movie about her life. Being the humble person she was, she wanted to know why anybody would be interested in her story, but she agreed, as long as it would make a difference in the lives of children.
I would go over to her house every week for about two years to recount her life and legacy and things that mattered to her, the moments that made her who she was. I spoke to her family, friends, physicians who worked with her, families whose children were treated by her, and did as much homework as I could to get the full picture of her life.
She also had an opportunity to meet our director, Ami Canaan Mann, and Natalie Dormer, who played her in the film. … Audrey died [in 2022] two weeks into filming, but not before I got to show her footage of the movie, and she loved it.
What’s the most important message you want people to take away from the film?
This is a story about an extraordinary woman who changed the world, and I tried to make the story true to who she was and what she accomplished. For her it was all about the children. That was her purpose in life and that’s the story that you see on the screen.
This is a story about an extraordinary woman who changed the world, and I tried to make the story true to who she was and what she accomplished. For her it was all about the children. That was her purpose in life and that’s the story that you see on the screen.
I genuinely hope that families who have lived this life feel less alone in the world and that their stories were told in an authentic and respected way. What these families and their children had to go through will hopefully remind people about the importance of funding for pediatric cancer research, as well as the need to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities that assist these families when they need it most, and remind them that there are unbelievable heroes like Audrey fighting for them every day.
Photo courtesy of Audrey’s Children
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, May 2025.
