Jenna Lowe left behind a legacy that has inspired change and raised awareness for Pulmonary Hypertension in South Africa; now we get to see her life honoured in a documentary.
South Africa (07 August 2023) – In 2014, two years ahead of her 21st birthday, Cape Town teen Jenna Lowe, a pulmonary hypertension (PH) patient, launched the #GetMeTo21 campaign to raise awareness about the rare, life-threatening disease and to drive organ donation in South Africa.
The campaign raised awareness of this poorly understood, often misdiagnosed disease, and would gain international acclaim and win awards. Tragically, it could not save Jenna, who passed away three months before her milestone birthday. Her campaign lives on, honouring her memory and has seen the founding of a trust in her name and a clinic specialising in pulmonary hypertension.
Jenna’s family started the Jenna Lowe Trust in her memory. It helped to establish The Jenna Lowe PH Clinic at Groote Schuur Academic Hospital, which currently supports around 600 PH patients because earlier diagnosis means a better quality of life.
Today, we are so happy to share that there will now be a compelling 90-minute documentary which looks back on Jenna’s life, honours her legacy and how she touched people across the world with her story.
This moving documentary features footage and interviews with many of Jenna’s friends, doctors, and family, including Jenna’s mother Gabi who chronicled her daughter’s heroic battle with a rare medical condition in her best-selling memoir ‘Get Me to 21’.
“Jenna’s advocacy helped to provoke more engagement from the medical community to improve PH care and accessibility to treatments. ‘Get Me to 21 – The Jenna Lowe Story’ builds on her legacy of courage and hope. Jenna’s story lives on and makes a difference to other patients and their families.” – Gabi Lowe
‘Get Me to 21 – The Jenna Lowe Story’ is directed by Diana Lucas and edited by Mary Berry. The documentary will broadcast on M-Net, DStv channel 101, on Saturday, 12 August at 20:30 or found on Catch Up.
“We’re profoundly moved by Jenna’s story, this beautiful documentary and Jenna’s dedication to raising awareness for PH and organ donation. Her legacy is one of hope and it deserves to reach a wider audience. Jenna captivated social media communities, but this documentary is the way it should be told. We’re delighted to bring this documentary to our viewers and help keep Jenna’s significant mission alive.” – Waldimar Pelser, M-Net’s channel Director of Premium Channels
You can watch the trailer below.
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