Filmmaker’s Mission Statement
LOVE FROM THE INSIDE OUT
“This is the end of my life but it is not the end of my love…it is not the end of the story.” -Eva Markvoort, Feb. 11, 2010
Without fully realizing it, Eva Markvoort started a global campaign for organ donation in the spring of 2007, while she was waiting on a transplant list for new lungs. At the time, her future depended entirely on the kindness of strangers, who could give her the gift of life by being an organ donor. Living with the fatal genetic disease Cystic Fibrosis was a constant reminder to Eva that she needed to make every breath count.
Eva put her whole heart into her relationships with her family and friends and was an accomplished writer with an international following through her online blog, where she became known as 65_RedRoses. Although she knew that transplant surgery would never cure her of CF, all Eva really wanted was more time to share her love with the world.
Eva was an incredibly artistic and creative person, and she agreed to open up her life and that of her family’s for the documentary 65_RedRoses because she knew the medium of film was a powerful way to communicate her message of hope. She fearlessly shared the most intimate and personal moments of her life with us on camera because she believed that after seeing 65_RedRoses and witnessing the miracle of transplant, people would finally understand the importance of registering to become an organ donor.
To date, our award-winning film has screened at numerous international festivals and been televised in a dozen countries, and Eva’s message of love continues to gain momentum.
Right now all over the world there are countless people like Eva waiting for their pagers to go off, telling them they are about to receive the gift of life, and if even one person decides to register to become an organ donor after seeing our film then we will have helped turn Eva’s dream into a reality. By purchasing 65_RedRoses on DVD you are not just supporting our worldwide initiative to raise awareness about organ donation but you are also helping us keep a part of Eva’s indomitable spirit alive, as well as helping to promote research to cure Cystic Fibrosis.
Eva’s personal heroes were her donor and her donor’s family who extended her life by two more years, which she filled with incredible memories.
While waiting for a second transplant on March 27, 2010, at the age of 25, Eva’s breath finally ran out. She left us knowing that while her life was cut too short she still managed to share her love with people around the world. This movement for organ donation created by Eva can only live on with your support. We hope that you will become a part of the 65_RedRoses movement and help Eva’s story inspire others to give the greatest gift of love; the gift of life.
– Nimisha Mukerji and Philip Lyall, Directors 65_RedRoses
Comments
Hi Bryan, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your poem with us. Truly heart-felt and beautiful. Much love <3
Thank You very much for your kind words
February 4th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
65_RedRoses
I saw a picture of 65 roses on display,
Each rose was signed in a very special way,
The address was a fighter who had her say,
And left65_RedRoses in the window today.
She had fought to the finish aginst her genetic code,
Gave hope to those who shared in the army she rode,
Attacking Cystic Fibrosis Eva earned them as her load,
So 65_RedRoses would never be forgotten or erode.
The young lady behind the Roses only wanted to please,
To show her courage and live beyond that fatal disease,
And the hope is there on the water or a blowing breeze 1verse
In the grass or in the clouds above the tall fir trees.
For now I’ll hang my 65_RedRoses on my hallway wall,
And I can tell her story to others as I recall,
About a New Westminster student with strength and will before the fall,
A great leader who stood among us a like she was a hundered feet tall.