With the launch of the Oprah Winfrey Network comes news that those of us in the cystic fibrosis (CF) community have been waiting for. OWN has bought the rights to 65 Red Roses, a documentary featuring Eva Markvoort, a young Canadian woman living with cystic fibrosis. The documentary follows Eva through her journey to receive a life-saving double lung transplant. The film will be shown as part of OWN’s Documentary Film Club, which begins airing in the spring of 2011.
Eva passed away on March 27, 2010 from cystic fibrosis. Her wish was for her film to be seen by her American friends. In the film, Eva talks about life with cystic fibrosis as you watch her experience the highs and lows of organ donation. She made the movie in order to promote both awareness of cystic fibrosis and the need for more organ donors. In 2010, Eva was presented with the Summerhayes Award in honor of her work on behalf of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Having 65 Red Roses air on the Oprah Winfrey Network gives cystic fibrosis a voice it has never had before. Even though it is the most common life threatening genetic condition, there is no government money backing up the research in the efforts to find a cure. The money is all collected through fundraising on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which was founded in the 1960s by a family affected by cystic fibrosis. Many people don’t know what CF is or that half of those who have it will not live to be 37 years old. Thanks to Eva, her family and friends, and the 65 Red Roses team, millions of Americans (as well as the worldwide community) will learn about cystic fibrosis and the dire need for organ donors. It is hopefully, the next step on the long journey to a making CF stand for Cure Found.