CEO and founder of Music Brings Life Keenan “Special” Bristol is on his way to The Sundance Film Festival to celebrate his heartwarming film “Students Are Heroes: A Sickle Cell Warrior’s Story” which is dedicated to bringing awareness of the shortage of blood donations for victims facing sickle cell disease by African-American, Latino and Caribbean donors. Throughout 2024 the Music Brings Life team has been screening the film at different high schools, followed by a blood drive with a goal of raising 10,000 pints of blood.
Students Are Heroes Film Synopsis:
The narrative centers on Jordana Bristol, a high school student-athlete who collapses during track practice and is urgently admitted to the hospital. Diagnosed with a sickle cell crisis, Jordana faces a critical situation exacerbated by her development of antibodies from previous blood transfusions, which complicates the search for compatible blood.
Unfortunately, the hospital lacks the specific blood type required for her treatment, and Jordana is acutely aware that individuals from Black and Latino communities, who are more likely to have compatible blood, are underrepresented in blood donations.
As Jordana’s condition becomes increasingly dire, her only hope lies in the possibility that high school students may come forward to donate blood. The urgency of her situation underscores the vital role that these young donors could play in saving her life.
The film was directed and produced by Keenan “Special” Bristol, and co-produced by Prince.
CAST:
A Sickle Cell Warriors Story Talented Cast consists of Jordana Whyte (playing Jordana Bristol), Keenan “Special” Bristol (playing Dr. Alexander), Joanna Wactor (playing Isabell), Stacy Thomas (playing Dr. Stacy), Martin Bluth (playing Dr. Martin Bluth), Deigo Diaz (playing Dr. Princeton), Kia Rush (playing Martha Ellis), Melvin Thomas AKA King Melvin Brown (playing Principal Johnson), Layla Johnson (playing Stacy), Al Jetson (playing James), Jada Bourne (playing Giselle), Joven Elegado (playing Parker), Prince Forde (playing Michael), DJS1 (playing himself), DeAundre Addison (playing Ferris), Sherebiah Lawes (playing Tailah), Madison Thompson (playing a student), Serenity Eaddy (playing Ari) and Jeff Simon (playing a teacher).
They will all have the proud honor of seeing the film on January 25, 2025 at The Sundance Film Festival and for that we congratulate all their efforts ….
Stream “Students are Heroes: A Sickle Cell Warrior’s Story” on the official website for Music Brings Life today and be a hero: https://www.musicbringslife.org
Watch the official trailer for “Students are Heroes: A Sickle Cell Warrior’s Story” here: