BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – As Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Sandra Steingraber stood over a box filled with the latest edition of her book Living Downstream in her home in Trumansburg, N.Y., she announced her goal for the book, which is an unorthodox one for authors. “I want this book to become antiquated really fast,” she said.
Living Downstream, originally published in 1997, chronicles Steingraber’s personal journey – both as a biologist and as a cancer survivor – to explore toxins in the environment as a cause of cancer. “I’m hoping all the problems in this book will be eliminated,” Steingraber said. “I’m hoping there will be no need for a third edition.”
The 2010 edition of the book is being released this month, along with a new documentary film of the same name. “Sandra’s book struck me because it was so visually written,” said Chanda Chevannes, the film’s producer and director. “She has a unique writing style. Through it I could see everything, from the Illinois landscape to the insides of our bodies. I thought, ‘This is the most cinematic book I have ever read.’”
The film is currently in limited screenings, and is set to be shown at the Performing Arts Center at Illinois Central College campus in East Peoria at 7 p.m. on April 17. She hopes to tour with the movie through Central Illinois this October. “I like the fact that this movie will be able to reach communities in an entirely new way,” said Steingraber. “It is an accessible vehicle for this message.”