Author Archive
In Memory of Eva & Meg, a Message from Director Nimisha Mukerji
Dear Eva,
So here we are. Three years ago you left us but I can honestly say that not a day goes by without you. That’s the power of all that energy you put into the world: small drops in an ocean create a ripple effect. We find you in the success of the “Live Life, Pass It On” campaign which, thanks to your artwork, continues to create awareness about the need for organ donation. People see your photo on their hydro bills, driver’s license forms, public transit and on print ads throughout the city. They are reminded that they too can make a positive difference in someone else’s life by becoming an organ donor.
Through social media, we hear stories about your impact on the CF community. The movement you started online is still growing, and new members are always finding their way to us on facebook and twitter. And where you left off with your blog, others took over. Your voice is now echoed through thousands of voices, communicating with us through a global online network. They share their CF experiences, their fundraising efforts and the many impacts (small and big) that you made on their lives. Recently I was at BC Children’s Hospital and I saw a mother and her two children looking at the 65 roses painting you inspired. Those beautiful, colorful images bring joy and comfort to those who need it most.
Painting 65 Red Roses
Hello wonderful people out there!
This post is about the 65_RedRoses painting inspired by Eva, which has found its home in the main lobby of BC Children’s Hospital!!! At the unveiling celebrations Eva’s Dad told me that when Eva was little they had to be at BC Children’s Hospital often, and to pass the time they wandered through the hallways playing Eye Spy. Her mom, who spoke on behalf of the family at the event, said that it warms their hearts to know that the painting will bring joy to the challenging times children and their families might spend at the hospital.
One Year Ago…
…we lost our Eva.
Today we remember her and the incredible love she shared with the world.
Please read the article that ran in The Vancouver Sun, submitted by Martina Meckova. One Year Since
This past month, Janet Brine (Eva’s mother) was invited to speak at Share the Beat, an annual event run by James Redford in San Francisco. In the year since her passing, Eva’s parents Janet and Bill with her siblings Annie and Hunter have dedicated their time and efforts to increasing organ donor registration worldwide as well as raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis research.
Janet & Bill with James Redford
Janet sent us this message about speaking at Share the Beat earlier this month:
Share the Beat-San Francisco served to raise awareness for organ donation and the need to keep the spotlight focused by highlighting the wonderful results that transplant brings to those in need. Organ recipients who honoured their donours, donour families who spoke of the legacy of life given by their loved ones, and many great musicians who payed tribute to the cause of organ donation took to the stage at the Regency Centre on March 11.
I [Janet Brine, mother of Eva Markvoort (65_RedRoses)] spoke at Share the Beat and presented the story of the gift of life that Eva experienced. Transplant gave Eva hope and it was this hope that kept her going until her call for transplant came. She was able to live a spirited and rich life for two years after her transplant, before succumbing to organ rejection. Those two wonderful years were made possible because a family, in their grief, saw the possibility of renewing the lives of others. Ultimately, the goal is for all Canadians and Americans to be organ donors, but until that time comes, events such as Share the Beat will continue. For more photos and information about this annual event, please click here
Janet speaks about Eva at Share the Beat
Many thanks to Janet for sending us this update.
Our thoughts and love are with all of Eva’s family and friends.
We miss her every day.
Love, love, love
Nimisha & Phil
Keeping the beat alive with Dan Mangan and James Redford!
(Vancouver, BC) On Friday, February 11th, the first ever 65_RedRoses Benefit Concert was held in honour and celebration of Eva Markvoort. The event took place at Massey Theatre in New Westminster and raised over $37,000 for cystic fibrosis research. The evening was a moving experience for all, an incredible celebration of Eva’s life and her ongoing legacy of raising funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis research and organ donation, and of Vancouver’s music scene.
The concert featured four outstanding artists: David Vertesi, the Zolas, Hannah Georgas and Dan Mangan, who played to a sold out crowd of over 1,200, including family, friends and fans of both Eva and the musicians. A special short film called A Wish Where the Wind Once Blew, directed by Stuart Gillies, was created as a tribute to Eva and premiered at the event.
When informed of the funds raised, Dan was thrilled. Said Mangan, “I’m so pleased the night was such a success! Together this crew of people raised a bunch of money for CF and what’s equally important, the stack of organ donor registration cards was completely gone by the end of the night.”
Philip Lyall, Co-Director of the 65_RedRoses film, who along with Rachel Aberle (one of Eva’s bestest friends) was the MC of the event, had this to say: “It was such a thrill to host the 65_RedRoses Benefit Concert. The room was filled with such a powerful energy from cheers to tears…it was like Eva was orchestrating the event herself.”
The event was hosted by CF Canada and all of the artists donated their time. The Massey Theatre provided the venue at no charge.
Next up: Share the Beat on March 11th. Created by James Redford, the annual fundraising concert held in San Francisco benefits The American Society of Transplantation and the Redford AnimAction Project, which raises awareness for organ donation.
“We take Share the Beat on the road to a different city each year in order to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation,” states Redford. “More than 100,000 people are currently on the waiting list for a transplant, and each day, 19 people die waiting for transplants that can’t take place because of the shortage of donated organs.”
The evening will feature musical appearances from Alex Band (The Calling), whose song “Wherever You Will Go” topped Billboard magazine’s Best of the Decade Adult Top 40 Songs in 2009, as well as Grammy-nominated songwriter Greg Barnhill, whose songs have been embraced by artists including Etta James, Martina McBride, Jessica Simpson and Chicago. Up-and-coming artists Chris Pierce and Shasta Baca will also take the stage.
“I have been personally affected by our country’s dire need for organ donors,” states Alex Band. “There is so much we can do to raise awareness for this cause, and I won’t stop until the job is done. It only takes a few minutes to register to become a donor, and you can wind up saving the lives of many.”
Throughout the night, several people who have been affected by the power of transplantation will share their personal stories, including James Redford, who received a life-saving liver transplant in 1993, and Janet Brine (Eva’s mother) who will talk about Eva’s enduring legacy. Janet will open up about Eva’s life, family and experiences, including undergoing a lung transplant and her subsequent transplant rejection in the Oprah Winfrey Network Documentary Film Club selection 65_RedRoses.
To purchase tickets for this incredible event please visit: www.sharethebeat.org
Love, love,love,
Nimisha & Phil
Directors “65_RedRoses”
Happy Holidays!
Eva loved Christmas! She loved searching for the perfect tree, making hand made cards and gifts, and singing Christmas carols. Even though she was struggling with chronic rejection at this time last year, she still gathered all her family and friends around her bed at home, and hosted an online fundraising event for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. See the video here!
Her approach to life was that if you’re ever feeling sad or down the best solution is to do something nice for someone else. A simple, but powerful lesson that stays with us even now.
So in the spirit of celebrating life, love and friendship, we want to thank you all for your continued support of Eva’s movement for organ donation and CF awareness. If you’re searching for a new year’s resolution we hope you will consider registering to become an organ donor, or encourage others to do so. If you’re looking for a worthy charity please donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Canada or America. They have a number of events going on throughout the year, and in Eva’s hometown there is going to be an amazing benefit concert on February 11th featuring Dan Mangan (For Tickets and Information Click Here!)
Eva made every breath count, and we’re going to make every screening, every dvd sale and every broadcast of 65_RedRoses count. 2011 is going to be an amazing year, as Eva reaches American audiences for the first time on the Oprah Winfrey Network and shares her message of hope.
We wish you all a wonderful holiday season, and look forward to sharing more updates with you in the new year! Thanks for all the love.
Nimisha and Phil
Directors of 65_RedRoses
65_RedRoses picked up by Oprah Winfrey’s Documentary Club!!!
IT’S FINALLY HAPPENED!!! 65_RedRoses is going to have it’s American broadcast premiere on the Oprah Winfrey Network!!!
Phil and I are so proud of our entire team, especially Eva, whose unconditional love and support is what made all of this possible. From the very beginning she recognized the importance of reaching a global community and in our final conversations together she spoke about how much she wanted the film to reach her American friends and supporters. And now, for the first time, they will be able to see a new, updated version on OWN!!!
Read Article: OWN SMELLS ROSES WITH DOC PICK UPS
Meg and Kina – can you believe it? You’re finally going to be able to see the film on American TV!!!
We will keep everyone updated on air dates and American press as we get closer to the premiere. A special thanks goes out to the wonderful Chuck Braverman, who immediately extended his help to us when we approached him about taking 65_RedRoses to the US. We thank Force Four Entertainment, our producers, crew, friends and family for always believing in this project.
To Bill, Janet, Annie and Hunter, we thank you for all the love.
EVA!!! YOU ALWAYS TOLD US TO THINK BIG!!! WE DID IT!!! American broadcast coming up in 2011 girl!!!
Love,
Nimisha
Knowledge Broadcast of Full Version
Hello Friends! We are so excited and happy about the Knowledge Broadcast of 65_RedRoses at 9pm on November 16th in Canada!!! They are airing the full version, along with an update I recorded a couple of months ago.
This fall has been a time full of remembrance for me, it’s strange to think about how much has changed in a year. Last November we were watching the world premiere broadcast of the film with Eva at Vancouver General Hospital. It was an incredible night, Eva turned the premiere into a giant pajama party and Dr. Yee even stopped by on his break to see us all gathered around the TV. I know that everyone’s downloading shows and movies these days, but I really can’t tell you how exciting it was as a director to see Eva’s story on television for the first time, and know that across Canada people flipping through channels could tune in and watch the film in their homes.
I hope that we reach a lot of viewers tonight, especially in BC, Eva’s home province. If you’re visiting our campaign site for the first time, our mission is to increase the number of organ donors in Canada. So on behalf of the 65_RedRoses team we hope that you will consider taking ten minutes to register online through this site and give the gift of life.
If you wish to make a financial contribution please donate to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – their researchers are working very hard to find a cure for CF.
Love, love, love and love some more! That’s what our girl Red wanted.
Cheers from Mumbai,
Nimisha
Co-Director/Producer 65_RedRoses
Geminis in Toronto!
Hello!
Hope everyone out there is doing well.
I stopped in Toronto for my very first Geminis, and it was a total rush to be nominated with so many great filmmakers. Phil and I met up at the Coolhaus, which is normally a concert space. The thing I love about Toronto is that the industry there is full of consummate professionals. It was a beautifully set up and really well organized event. While Phil and I were both a bit disappointed that we didn’t win (major congrats goes out to the filmmakers behind Reel Injun) I can honestly say it was just amazing to be there. For the first time I felt like I was really a part of the Canadian film and television community, and that the work that I helped to create was acknowledged by all of my peers. This year we’ve had some incredible screenings in a ton of cities around Canada and the United States. We’ve even been lucky to win some amazing awards, which is always fun. But really, the best part has been receiving comments or messages from people who have been touched by Eva’s story. When I think back on the whole experience, it’s hard to believe that we did it. We made a film. And that’s enough to make anyone feel like a winner.
Phil and I with the awesome George Stroumboulopoulos (Gemini winner and host of The Hour).
65_RedRoses meets The Tudors
At the taping of the Urban Rush interview yesterday I met a wonderful Canadian actor named Torrance Coombs, who is breaking hearts (and getting his head chopped off) on shows like The Tudors and Heartland.
In the spirit of Halloween he brought along the prop head that was molded for him on The Tudors, where he played Thomas Culpepper. I didn’t realize that fake heads heads don’t just look authentic for the camera, they FEEL life-like. The outer layer was like touching cold dead skin.
I’ve been meaning to catch up on a few missed TV shows, and The Tudors is definitely on that list! For more info on Torrance click on: Tudors Torrance Coombs
My interview on Urban Rush and Torrance’s can be seen at: www.shawtv.com
Nimisha on Urban Rush on Oct 28th
Last month one of the producers of Urban Rush (an entertainment talk show here in Vancouver) called to ask if I was available to come in for an interview to talk about the Gemini nomination. We never got a chance to be on Urban Rush with Eva while we were promoting the film at the Vancouver International Film Festival in 2009, so I was excited when Laura (the producer) invited me to be on the show.
She also said they’d really like to promote the cause attached to the film so I’m excited to talk about 65_RedRoses as well as spread awareness about the movement that we are slowly building around organ donation in Canada and the US. For anyone in Vancouver the interview should air three time on Oct.28th (5pm, 7pm and 11pm) as well as at noon on Friday Oct.29th.
Only a few days left before heading to Toronto! So much to do! Still have to talk to our brilliant animators over at Sequence about creating new online pages for the new updated version of the film.
Peace & Love,
Nimisha
