Eva Markvoort's legacy lives on as the 65_RedRoses campaign for organ donation and cystic fibrosis awareness continues.
65_RedRoses is a Canadian documentary that takes an unflinching look into the life of the New Westminster resident as she battled the fatal genetic disease, cystic fibrosis. After undergoing a lung transplant, her body rejected her new lungs, and the 25-year-old passed away in March 2010 while waiting for a second transplant.
"But her vision did not die. Canadian distributor Hello Cool World is working with the filmmakers and Eva's family to spearhead a North American campaign, centred around 65RedRoses.com," stated a press release.
Campaign highlights include a launch of the new free #4Eva Mobile App designed to put organ donation on the map, a new cut of the award-winning documentary, and legacy screenings across Canada.
"At 23, Eva needs a double lung transplant to live," said a synopsis of the documentary.
"Unable to meet in person because of the spread of infections and super bugs, Eva and two of her online friends have become each other's virtual lifelines, providing unconditional love, support and understanding long after visiting hours are over. Now at a critical turning point in their lives, the film travels the distance the friends cannot go themselves, capturing the compelling and often heartbreaking realities they face, just trying to take each breath."
A portion of proceeds of a May 12 screening of 65_RedRoses will benefit Cystic Fibrosis Canada, in Markvoort's honour. The screening is taking place on Saturday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at Denman Cinemas, 1737 Comox St. in Vancouver.
For more info, see www.65redroses.com.
FIGHTING HUNGER
New WestminsterCoquitlam MP Fin Donnelly is taking up the challenge of Hunger Awareness Week.
To mark this year's Hunger Awareness Week, Food Banks Canada issued a challenge to all members of Parliament to fast for one day so they can experience what it feels like to be hungry during an average day. Donnelly fasted May 9 to raise awareness about hunger in Canada.
Food Banks Canada states that each month, nearly 900,000 Canadians turn to a food bank, which is essentially unchanged from 2010 and 26 per cent higher than 2008/09 levels.
"In a country as wealthy as Canada, there is no excuse for letting our most vulnerable citizens go hungry," Donnelly said in a press release. "This issue should have every Canadian concerned, and all politicians working together to solve this problem."
Hunger Awareness Week runs from May 7 to 11. See www.hungeraware nessweek.ca.
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