Press Release--Los Angeles, October 5, 1999
The James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness
(JRI) announced that Roche
has joined their FLOW educational initiative by underwriting the
distribution of educational outreach kits and videos targeted at
teens and their families. Centered around the dramaticshort film, FLOW, JRI’s educational kits allow teachers in
a variety of high school and community settings to present students with the important
issues surrounding organ and tissue donation. Its goal is to encourage
young people and their families to discuss the importance of organ donation,
their personal feelings about the issue and, hopefully, make a commitment
to become
organ and tissue donors. Family communication is emphasized
throughout the
materials, as this is often the most important part of the decision-making
process.
JRI will assure the wide distribution of the materials through the national Coalition on Donation, the national network of Organ Procurement Organizations, as well as through The Links, Inc., an organization of African-American educational, cultural and civic leaders. "This partnership with Roche means hope for the thousands of individuals and families currently waiting for life-saving transplants", said James Redford, whose own 1993 liver transplant inspired him to launch JRI. Roche’s involvement in the distribution of FLOW comes from its commitment to transplantation reflected in its dedication to developing innovative therapies that improve transplant success rates, as well increasing organ donation so that more lives can be saved.
Signing or not signing a donor card is one of the first adult decisions a teenager must make after passing his or her driver’s test. Too often this critical decision is made without full understanding of the issue, and without family discussion. JRI and Roche’s efforts will help encourage understanding and discussion of this critical issue. For more information: www.jrifilms.org