Untitled Document

	JRI IN THE NEWS
American Legion Auxiliary National News The 1999 Public Spirit Award is presented to James Redford "In recognition of your dedication to organ and tissue donation awareness. As an organ recipient, you have coupled your personal experience with your talents and skills to produce and distribute films, documentaries, and educational materials which not only educate the American people, but motivate us as well." After going through a traumatic life-or-death experience, many would simply want to put that in the past and move on with life. The American Legion Auxiliary's 1999 Public Spirit Award winner, James Redford, had such an experience but decided to use it as an opportunity to help others. Redford contracted a liver disease that would take his life if he did not receive a liver transplant. In 1993 Redford received a liver, but after it failed he went back on the waiting list for four months until another liver was donated. Instead of putting all this behind him, the 36-year old filmmaker decided to use the experience in his filmmaking to educate the American people about organ and tissue donation. Since founding The James Redford Institute of Transplant Awareness (JRI) in 1995, he has completed three films to educate distinct audiences on this issue. The American Legion Auxiliary honored Redford for these efforts on March 22 at the Awareness Assembly in Washington, DC. Due to his filming schedule, Redford was unable to make the trip to Washington but his mother, Lola Van Wagenen, graciously accepted the award on her son's behalf. During an emotional acceptance speech, Ms. Van Wagenen told attendees that Auxiliary members "know what it means to sacrifice." She said that her son has taught her about life and living. He once told an audience, "It is a privilege to grow old." Van Wagenen stressed that organ donation is a pressing issue for veterans, and she conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the Auxiliary for honoring her son with this award. "In reality, your wonderful tribute is to the families who have donated their loved ones' organs," she said. Attendees viewed a clip of Redford's latest project, "Flow," a short motivational drama for teenagers. The decision whether to become an organ donor is one of the first faced by teenagers after passing their driving tests and research shows that young people have not been reached by other transplantation awareness campaigns. Redford will distribute the film with a complete educational package to driver's education classes, local high schools and community-based youth programs. "The Kindness of Strangers" is another JRI production, purchased by HBO to air this fall. The now-healthy Redford resides in California with his wife and two children. His mother is the President and co-founder of Clio, Inc., Visualizing History, a multimedia firm. Redford is also the son of actor/director Robert Redford. JRI is a nonprofit organization devoted to educating the public about the need for organ donation by producing and distributing films with companion education materials. For more information, check out the website at www.JRIFilms.org. National President Virginia Hobbs, who made the presentation during the luncheon, placed organ donation awareness within the Community Service program this year. Awareness Assembly attendees received a green label ribbon pin which symbolizes both the dire need for more organs and the life-giving miracle of transplantation. Daily, more than 60,000 Americans await a life-saving organ. People such as James Redford are giving these people a face and a voice. (c) 1999 American Legion Auxiliary National News Magazine.

American Legion Auxiliary National News

The 1999 Public Spirit Award is presented to James Redford

"In recognition of your dedication to organ and tissue donation awareness. As an organ recipient, you have coupled your personal experience with your talents and skills to produce and distribute films, documentaries, and educational materials which not only educate the American people, but motivate us as well."

After going through a traumatic life-or-death experience, many would simply want to put that in the past and move on with life. The American Legion Auxiliary's 1999 Public Spirit Award winner, James Redford, had such an experience but decided to use it as an opportunity to help others.

Redford contracted a liver disease that would take his life if he did not receive a liver transplant. In 1993 Redford received a liver, but after it failed he went back on the waiting list for four months until another liver was donated. Instead of putting all this behind him, the 36-year old filmmaker decided to use the experience in his filmmaking to educate the American people about organ and tissue donation. Since founding The James Redford Institute of Transplant Awareness (JRI)
in 1995, he has completed three films to educate distinct audiences on this
issue. The American Legion Auxiliary honored Redford for these efforts on
March 22 at the Awareness Assembly in Washington, DC.

Due to his filming schedule, Redford was unable to make the trip to Washington but his mother, Lola Van Wagenen, graciously accepted the award on her son's behalf. During an emotional acceptance speech, Ms. Van Wagenen told attendees that Auxiliary members "know what it means to sacrifice." She said that her son has taught her about life and living. He once told an audience, "It is a privilege to grow old."

Van Wagenen stressed that organ donation is a pressing issue for veterans, and she conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the Auxiliary for honoring her son with this award. "In reality, your wonderful tribute is to the families who have donated their loved ones' organs," she said.

Attendees viewed a clip of Redford's latest project, "Flow," a short motivational drama for teenagers. The decision whether to become an organ donor is one of the first faced by teenagers after passing their driving tests and research shows that young people have not been reached by other transplantation awareness campaigns. Redford will distribute the film with a complete educational package to driver's education classes, local high schools and community-based youth programs.

"The Kindness of Strangers" is another JRI production, purchased by HBO to air this fall. The now-healthy Redford resides in California with his wife and two children. His mother is the President and co-founder of Clio, Inc., Visualizing History, a multimedia firm. Redford is also the son of actor/director Robert Redford.

JRI is a nonprofit organization devoted to educating the public about the need for organ donation by producing and distributing films with companion education materials. For more information, check out the website at
www.JRIFilms.org.

National President Virginia Hobbs, who made the presentation during the luncheon, placed organ donation awareness within the Community Service program this year. Awareness Assembly attendees received a green label ribbon pin which symbolizes both the dire need for more organs and the life-giving miracle of transplantation. Daily, more than 60,000 Americans await a life-saving organ.

People such as James Redford are giving these people a face and a voice.