Local Drives, Film Premiere & Concert Honors Jazz Icon and May Save Lives

Many in the region will have the opportunity to join the International Bone Marrow Registry list.

Joey Calderazzo  & Branford Marsalis
Joey Calderazzo & Branford Marsalis

All it takes is five minutes and a simple cheek swab and you can join the International Bone Marrow Registry and possibly save a life.

That is exactly what Jefferson Center’s March 20th Marrow Match Drives at Jefferson College of Health Sciences and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, as well as the “More to Live For” film premiere and jazz concert on March 22nd inside Jefferson Center is focused on.

Local drives, the “More to Live For” Virginia Film Premiere and the Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo concert all pay tribute to the late Michael Brecker, a jazz icon who died of leukemia. Before his death in 2007, Brecker recorded his last album. The “More to Live For” documentary that will be screened at Jefferson Center captures his last moments in the studio and at home with his family.

Immediately following the film premiere that night, all guests will have the opportunity to join the International Bone Marrow Registry with one simple cheek swab. After a brief intermission, Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo end the night with a tribute concert to their friend Michael Brecker.

“This will be one of the most powerful and emotional evenings that guests will experience inside historic Shaftman Performance Hall and that is why we feel it will be the perfect tribute to Michael Brecker and a fitting end to this season’s Jazz Series at Jefferson Center,” said Cyrus Pace, Executive Director at Jefferson Center. “We’ve worked very closely with Michael’s widow, Susan Brecker to plan this evening. Susan and all of the staff at Jefferson Center hope that because of this night, there may be a life saved somewhere in the world.”

“More to Live For” film nights have already saved seven lives through matches identified at these events. Roanoke may provide number eight.

 Marrow Match Opportunities Include

–        March 20th: 11:30am – 1:30pm: Marrow Match Drive at Jefferson College of Health Sciences

  • Volunteers conducting cheek swabs for students & staff willing to “Get on the list”!

 –        March 20th at 5:30 – 7:30pm: Marrow Match Drive at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

  • Registration table set up at school art show allowing guests to “Get on the list”!

 –        March 22nd at 7:00pm: More to Live For Virginia Film Premiere and Branford Marsalis/Joey Calderazzo Concert to honor Michael Brecker at Jefferson Center

  • Throughout the inspiring movie screening and world class jazz concert, Jefferson Center guests will have the opportunity to join the International Bone Marrow Registry.

“More to Live For” presents real-life accounts of three individuals facing life and death, and their commitment to making a difference. These deeply personal accounts of confronting illness will inspire hope and action, leaving the viewer empowered to become part of the cure. Director Noah Hutton tells the story of three lives, all shaken by cancer and dependent upon the one vital bone marrow match that could save them. These individuals are similar only in their fate and prolific accomplishments: Grammy Award-winning jazz musician Michael Brecker; James Chippendale entertainment executive and founder of Love Hope Strength foundation, the largest music centric cancer charity in the world and Seun Adebiyi, a young Nigerian training to become the first ever Nigerian winter Olympic athlete in any sport. These unrelated paths become crossed and bound for life, connected in a fight for survival and a singular mission: to bring awareness about bone marrow donation to the millions of people who could save a life today. A story of tragedy and loss, strength and hope. Visit www.moretoliveforfilm.com

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