Question and Answer with Dr. Carl Bilancione by Trish McLeod & Ron Wilkes 5/03/02

What can you tell us about the Lisa Merlin House benefit in which you were involved this past weekend.  Was it a success?  How did you become involved in this charity, which Survivor Africa alumni attended and in what functions were you all involved? 

The Lisa Merlin House "A Night with the Stars" was a huge success. The Lisa Merlin House is a safe haven for homeless young women and women battling substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and domestic violence. Lori Thomas; co-chairman, called me at my office to invite my family and I to participate as celebrity models for their first ever fashion show.  I had never heard of the Lisa Merlin House and had it not been for Lori Thomas the cast of S-3 would never have come to Orlando.  Lori asked me if I could get Jessie to model and one thing led to another and before you know it the following cast members said yes:
Ethan, Lex, Mama Kim, Clarence, Lady Di (Diane), Kelly, Brandon, Kim P., T-Bird (Teresa), Lindsey, and Survivor Frank.

The event kicked off with a party at Planet Hollywood Thursday night where we watched S-4 together.  Friday night we had a Florida Cracker Barbecue at one of the board member's estate; with airboat rides, alligator wrestling, etc... Saturday the women of The Lisa Merlin house hosted a luncheon for the cast so that we could meet them and understand their plight. Saturday night was the big event with local celebrities, a silent auction, a live auction, and photo opportunities with the cast and live animals; a lion, a python, and an alligator.  It was a great showcase to raise the awareness of this worthy cause.

What else did you all do while the gang was in Orlando?  I understand that 13 of the 16 Survivor Africa alumni attended and it was also Diane's and Kelly's birthday's?

It was Diane and Kelly's birthday so we did have a cake for them. We actually presented a cake at Planet Hollywood for Diane and sang happy birthday. Kelly had not come into Orlando yet.

You seem to have been very busy lately with speaking engagements and other projects.  I understand that on April 5th you led the Cancer Survivor relay race and gave the keynote address for the American Cancer Society's cancer relay at the University of Central Florida.   How and why did you become involved/interested in this cause and relay event?

One of the many gifts of being on Survivor Africa is that it has enabled me to have a podium to do motivational speaking.  Growing up poor (not really knowing it) and having parents who did not graduate past 9th grade has allowed me to show people that we truly live in the greatest country and "If you can dream it ,you can do it".  I got involved with the   Relay for Life (celebrating TRUE Survivors of cancer) because they called me and my mother-in -law (Edith Schlussler) is a 21 year cancer survivor.  I feel that my somewhat celebrity status comes with certain responsibilities and that is giving back to society.  I am blessed that I live the American Dream so if I can make a difference in someone else's life then I get involved.

We've enjoyed your African photos on your website.  Do you have any favorites?  Which ones, and why are they your favorite photos?


My African photos are a true joy.  They bring me back to a place that I can't wait to go back to.  There are many photos that I love; some of the real special ones are:

• The Maasai woman with her 3 children

• The Bogot women walking on the road (the picture looks surreal due to the road dust)

• The cheetah cub in the tree

• The cheetah cub and mother lying down in the grass

• Grevy's Zebra

• The Masai boy (I called this big eyes)
  

There are just so many photos that I like!!   To view Carl's African photography click here

What photography genre is your favorite (ex: Sports Photography, Landscapes, Wildlife/Nature, Portraits/People,  Other?)

My favorite genre of photography is nature and sports I am now branching out to other genres -  portrait and people.

What other exotic locales have you visited and what other areas of the world would you find intriguing for possible future photo safaris?

I have been all over the Caribbean and I have done some underwater photography.  I have been to Australia, Fiji, Costa Rica and Paris.  My exotic travels have been limited but I would love to go to Bali, Thailand, Alaska, New Zealand, and South America.

As you have probably heard, Mark Brunett has an  Survivor All-Star edition in the planning stages.  Have you been approached to participate?  If so would you do it again and what would you do anything differently compared to your game strategy during Survivor Africa?

I have not been approached by Mark Burnet to do All-Star Survivor, but I would do it in "A NEW YORK Minute". I definitely would do things differently this time around. I can not reveal what I would do but strategy would be at an all time high!

Would you care to discuss with us a little about your life's early years and the hurdles which you overcame to obtain the successful and fulfilling life that you lead today?  Briefly, please give us an example of the message which you strive to put forth during your motivational speeches to help others who are struggling to reach for their dreams.

My roots of having parents who did not make it past 9th grade definitely shaped my values with education and trying to grow out of my socioeconomic level. We were poor but didn't know it.  There was always food on the table and clothes on our backs.  My mother was the classical housewife who raised 5 children with love and attention.  She was an immigrant from Newfoundland with strong religious and family values. My father was a longshoreman working on the docks in NY hardly ever home, always trying to provide for his family.  My parents taught me that I could be anything I wanted to be as long as I worked hard.  Also, I read the Disney biography where he stated "if you can dream it, you can do it", so I do and I live my dreams! I believe happiness is having dreams and success is realizing those dreams.  I also believe that to be successful, you have to work hard with integrity and passion.

Any projects or plans in your near future?  Will you be attending the Live Survivor Marquesas Finale Reunion in NYC's Central Park this month?

I will be attending the Finale for Marquesas.

I have many things on my agenda:

• Speaker at the State Dental Meeting in Connecticut on May3rd-4th.

• Speaker at the Florida Women's Bar Assoc. Luncheon on May 10th in Orlando.

• Host at the Fridge Festival on May 9th;downtown Orlando.

• Speaker at The Florida Television and Motion Picture Assoc. on May 20th in Orlando.

• June 1st -Celebrity Softball for Junior Achievement at Spacecoast Stadium in Viera, Florida.

• June 13th--Speaker at Daytona Int. Speedway for Daytona Medical Society

• Crystal Reel Awards June 22nd at the Swan and Dolphin hotel at Disney World

• Nebraska--pediatrics aids summer camp benefit with cast members from Survivor 1, 2, and 3. Diane Ogden will be hosting July12th-July14th.
  

Thanks for your time and consideration, Carl.

You are welcome, Trish.