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A Recap of the 65_RedRoses UVIC Screenings!
Thank you to everyone who came out to UVIC last night to see 65_RedRoses at Cinecenta! And many thanks to the dozens of you who tweeted about the event, shared the Facebook event with your friends, and spread the word online and off about the screening.
We got in touch with Eva’s younger brother Hunter, the lead organizer of this screenings and a UVIC student himself, and Lisa, a volunteer and fellow UVIC student, to hear how the screenings went.
Hunter felt the screenings were a huge success, and said of his personal experience, “I think [the film] opened many people’s eyes to a part of life not many get to see or experience.
“A lot of my friends came up after the movie just to express their disbelief at the whole situation. A lot of them knew that I had a sister who was sick and passed away, but the film really shows what CF does to a person, and the huge gift that a transplant can give.”
Lisa agreed with Hunter, saying, “Everyone seemed incredibly moved by the film and inspired by Eva’s story.
“There were many tears shed by several audience members near the end of the film, and everyone seemed quite emotional about the whole experience. I know several people told me they loved the film, and they were thankful they had been able to view it.” (more…)
A Special Screening of 65_RedRoses at UVIC
Tonight, Cinecenta Theatre at UVIC will be showing 65_RedRoses at 7:15 and 8:45. We’re always excited about screenings, because we love sharing the film with audiences of new fans and long-time friends of Eva alike. But we’re especially happy about this screening, because Eva’s sister Annie and brother Hunter will both be there to introduce the film and talk with the audience about their sister.
Hunter got in touch with us a few months ago about hosting a screening in Victoria, and we are grateful to him and the staff at Cinecenta for helping to make it happen! Eva met her friend and 65_RedRoses co-director Philip Lyall when they lived in residence together at UVIC together and studied in the theatre program, so it’s not an exaggeration to say the film exists because of UVIC. Hosting a screening at her own school is a wonderful privilege.
We are glad to be able to share the film tonight with friends of Eva who knew her as a UVIC student, and those who have heard about the film in recent years and have been waiting patiently for a chance to see it. Nimisha Mukerji, co-director of the film, has said that when people see 65_RedRoses for the first time it’s like they’re getting to meet Eva. And anyone who knew Eva or has seen the film knows that she had a magnetic charisma and an incredible spirit. We hope that everyone walks away from the film feeling like they got to spend time with their amazing friend Eva, whether to them she’s an old friend or a new one.
To celebrate the UVIC screenings, we’re offering a special checkout code for those who want to buy an advance copy of the DVD, or other materials featuring Eva’s art, like t-shirts, pendants or art cards. Just enter “65RRblog412” and save 15% on anything from the 65_RedRoses store! (more…)
Join Our Tweetathon on April 13th!
This Friday, in anticipation of the US broadcast premiere of the film May 3rd, 9/8c on OWN Documentary Club, and the arrival of the new cut of the film to Canada, we are asking for your help to grow our #4Eva movement!
Follow us on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Join our email list
And of course, donate life!
On Friday, we want you to share a simple message:
#BeADonor @65_RedRoses Support the film. Join the movement. #4Eva http://bit.ly/Iss58B Plz RT!
>> Click here to tweet! << (more…)
Celebrating National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Month
This month we are celebrating awareness of organ and tissue donation across North America! April 22 to 28th marks National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week in Canada, and April is National Donate Life Month in the US.
This means that all month long there are great opportunities to show your support for organ donation both online and off! Our friends at BC Transplant reported yesterday a record-breaking 222 registrations in one day– we’re hoping that with our collective efforts, they’ll surpass that by the end of the month.
With two screenings coming up in Victoria this month and several more in the planning stages, we’re using April as an opportunity to share Eva’s story with new audiences, and motivate them to register as donors and talk to their friends and family about the film. We’re also sharing great stories like this video from Global TV, about Cecilia Ferreira, a young woman from Burnaby who received a heart transplant at 13.
Our friends and fellow awareness raisers are also taking action this month. Donate Life America has launched a campaign to register 20 million donors in 2012. Visit their site to learn how you can join the cause! Transplant Trots, 5 or 10k walks/runs held around Canada to raise awareness, are taking place in cities across Canada between April 22 and 28. Find out if there’s a Transplant Trot happening in your community! Trillium Gift of Life also has an extensive list of awareness events happening in Ontario.
Remembering Eva
On March 27th, 2010, Eva’s breath ran out. She was only 25, but in her short life she accomplished incredible things. Her story, shared with the world through the film 65_RedRoses, inspired thousands of people to register as organ donors and gave hope to people around the world awaiting life-saving transplants.
Although Eva’s transplant only gave her two more years of life, she filled them with love, adventure and hope. Her new lungs were the beginning of a new life, and while it wasn’t as long everyone who loved Eva had hoped for, it was a miraculous life all the same. And even though Eva is no longer with us, her beautiful spirit and determination are still present in every action of this campaign to promote organ donation and awareness of cystic fibrosis, and in the messages of love and gratitude that pour in each day from people all around the world.
In tribute to her life and legacy, we are working to bring the new cut of 65_RedRoses to theatres around Canada. The new version of the film follows Eva to the end of her journey, showing how even in tragedy there is love and hope. Our mission is to share this film with as many audiences as possible and hope that each person who sees it is motivated to take action and pass on Eva’s message to others.
We have two BC screenings coming up in the new few weeks – in Vancouver & Victoria: (more…)
Transplant Recipient Brings 65_RedRoses to Cap U
As you might have heard on our Twitter or Facebook Page, there was a free screening of 65_RedRoses on Thursday at Capilano University in Vancouver, BC. We were excited not only because we love sharing the film with people, but also because it was the first public screening of the new cut of the film!
The screening was sponsored by Capilano University, and they provided the use of the beautiful new theatre in the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre. It was organized by Melanie Fahlman-Reid, faculty member at Cap U and liver transplant recipient. She’s also my mom, so being able to partner with her to organize this screening was a wonderful experience. Melanie knew Eva through BC Transplant and loves the film, so she was glad for the opportunity to share it with the Capilano University community. (more…)
Kathy’s Story – Part 2
65_RedRoses is Eva’s story but we know there are thousands of other transplant recipients with compelling stories to share as well. One such recipient is Kathy Meier (featured left five weeks after her transplant), who received a double-lung transplant just over two years ago. In part one, she told us about living with CF. In part two, she tells the story of receiving her transplant.
Do you have a story? Contact us at: outreach@65redroses.com
65RR: Tell us about when you learned you would receive a double-lung transplant.
KM: On January 13, 2010, while in the hospital, my doctor came into my room and delivered the news that I had been chosen to receive my double lung transplant. I was in total shock. I had been very ill with numerous lung collapses but had only been on the list for 26 days. I thought it just wasn’t possible as the stats suggested it would be at least 3 months. (more…)
US Premiere: May 3rd 9/8c on OWN
We are so thrilled to finally announce the date of our OWN launch! We know American followers of Eva have been waiting for a long time to see the film, and now the date is less than three months away. Mark your calendars and invite your friends over for a viewing party. The date is May 3rd, 2012, at 9/8c on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Be sure to Like 65_RedRoses #4Eva on Facebook! We lost the 8,000 members of our old group when it was archived and we want to get you back. It’s a great way to connect with us and ask questions about the campaign, as we always answer comments right away.
We are hoping that some of you will even see the film before that. We’re still helping groups and individuals around North America organize screenings. If you’d like to host a screening, let us know here and we’ll get in touch with you!
Finally, join our mailing list! We’ll send out important announcements about screenings, DVD releases, and campaign updates. If you’re too busy to check the site frequently, it’s the easiest way to be kept in the loop. (more…)
Kathy’s Story – Part 1
65_RedRoses is Eva’s story, but we know there are thousands of other transplant recipients with compelling stories to share as well. One such recipient is Kathy Meier, who received a double-lung transplant just over two years ago. She is doing well, and got in touch to share her story of living with CF and receiving her new set of lungs. Do you have a story? Contact us at outreach@65redroses.com
65_RedRoses: How did you hear about the film?
Kathy Meier: While I was waiting for transplant there was always people around talking about different stories and Eva’s name came up. One day when I was feeling up to going on the computer I decided to check out her blog, and from that day on she always had a place in my heart. (more…)
Share your story on the 65_RedRoses blog!
65_RedRoses is Eva’s story, but we know that the film has had a personal impact on many of you. And you have stories of your own, about awaiting or receiving an organ donation, or living with CF. We hope you’ll share your stories with us!
If you’d like to be interviewed on our blog about how Eva’s story touched your life, or share your own story about CF and organ donation, please get in touch! You can reach us by email, or on the 65_RedRoses Facebook Page, or via Twitter. We’ll post your stories on our blog and share them through the 65_RedRoses network.
As Eva’s story has demonstrated, one person’s experience can touch thousands of lives. By sharing your story, you could inspire others to register as organ donors, learn more about CF, or pass along your message!
