(L-R) Gift of Life Founder and CEO Jay Feinberg, Jay’s marrow donor Becky Keller, Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones, marrow transplant recipient Natalie Hughes, stem cell transplant recipient Earl Luttner, Film Director Jerrod Levine, Miami Beach City Commissioner Alex Fernandez, Executive Producer and Gift of Life Chief Development Officer Robyn Malek and Executive Producer Jeff Parker.
Excitement filled the air at The Colony Theatre in Miami Beach on Monday April 13, as VIPs, city officials, guests and media arrived on the red carpet for the world premiere of the documentary, One in a Million, during the 43rd Annual Miami Film Festival. The film, directed by Emmy-Award-winner Jerrod “Jerry” Levine, tells the miraculous story of Gift of Life Marrow Registry Founder and CEO Jay Feinberg and his family’s refusal to take “no” for an answer while searching for his lifesaving donor.
Instead of accepting that their son, Jay, had no match and no chance of surviving leukemia, parents Arlene and Jacob started a grassroots movement in 1991 that has grown to save thousands of lives. The search for Jay’s donor evolved to become Gift of Life Marrow Registry, which today sets the standard of innovation for registries around the world. The film drew a standing ovation and cheers of support from the capacity audience.
After the screening, Miami Beach City Commissioner Alex Fernandez served as moderator for a conversation with the audience featuring Jay, his marrow donor Becky Keller, Jerry, transplant recipients Earl Luttner and Natalie Hughes and long-time Gift of Life supporter Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones.
“One in a Million shares the important message that one person can make a big difference in the world,” said Jay. “When Becky decided to donate her marrow, it saved more than one life; her act of generosity and kindness has now saved thousands of people, and the ripple effect of that single action continues to this day.”
Stay tuned for future showings of One in a Million in upcoming film festivals and this fall on PBS South Florida.
Deepest thanks to the Miami Film Festival for honoring our story and helping share our mission with the world.