The Cherie Elvin Memorial Fund was created by the Elvin Family as a legacy to honor their mother, Cherie, who died at the 2011 Reno Air Races. Throughout her life, Cherie cared for her family in so many different ways. The care the family received from the physicians, nurses, and other care providers from all hospitals in the area along with the support they received from the community has inspired the Elvin Family to use this fund to award scholarships to registered nurses to continue their education in the field of nursing.

 

If you’re interested in supporting the Cherie Elvin Memorial Fund, please visit www.renown.org/give, the green button will take you directly to their site,  or call Renown Health Foundation at 775-982-5545.

AN IMPORTANT FILM FOR EMS PERSONNEL 

MESSAGE FROM THE PRODUCER

"Broken Propeller shines a spotlight on the humanity and power of Reno's loving spirit. What happened that day at the Air Races will haunt us for the rest of our days. But this documentary shares the lessons of that tragedy, and the thanks we give to First Responders and Good Samaritans alike. I hope you enjoy this powerful and important piece of history" - Mayor Hillary Shieve (Reno)

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So far, have raised $9067. Help me get to my goal of $50,000.

"Renown and REMSA gave me their personnel, their equipment and their locations at no cost. My makeup artist donated her time. My main cameraman charged me less than half of his normal fee. Despite their own medical issues, the Elvin Family wanted to give back to the Reno Community because of the care they received during their recovery, so they started the Cherie Elvin Memorial Scholarship Fund, in honor of their mother who died at the crash. The fund is managed by Renown Health Foundation and awards scholarships to registered nurses, in Washoe County, for continuing education in the field of nursing.

I experienced so much"giving' during the production of this project, I decided to use the portion of the proceeds to benefit the Cherie Elvin Memorial Scholarship Fund", Christine Lazzarini, Producer/Director

​There's lots more info on facebook.

​COMMENTS:

I was inspired to produce this documentary from Dr. Michael Morkin's TEDx talk. 

"Broken Propeller" tells a story of tragedy, resilience and hope - three things that form a cornerstone of emergency medical services work. Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) is proud to be the prehospital partner among a community of first responders that train, work and provide care together, every day, as well as during seminal, significant events like the air races tragedy. Every EMS professional can relate to the narrative of that day. Broken Propeller shines a light on the importance of regional collaboration and strength and the importance of those values in saving, rebuilding and honoring lives.

 - Dean Dow, President and CEO, REMSA

"I got chills from this glimpse,  thank you for sending it.  I cannot wait to see the finished film."  Jane S. 

A young woman in college named Cherie Wilson wrote a poem "A Recipe That Cannot Fail".  Today she is known as Cherie Elvin. She was a victim in the 2011 Reno Air Races crash. I wanted to turn her poem into a song as a tribute to her and that is when I met Monique Stanfield. Monique created the beautiful music for the lyrics and Todd South accompanied her on piano.  Produced by Imirage Sound Lab. Please enjoy listening to "Life's Best Recipe" original music from "Broken Propeller". 

Just hit the play button to start.

"We are all richer for having experienced this tragedy." Those are the remarkable words of a victim who suffered loss of both his mother and his right leg.

Broken Propeller contrasts two devastating plane crashes. The first, in 1985 killed all but one of the 71 people on board a Galaxy Airlines plane in Reno, Nevada. It overwhelmed Reno's emergency services, leading to painstaking analysis and rebuilding. The second at the Reno Air Races in 2011, tested the life-saving procedures developed 26 years earlier.

"I saw the plane come down and I started to run toward the dust to ground zero. I passed a shoe with a foot still in it. There was a nurse there that started asking for belts from spectators and used them as tourniquets."  Security volunteer Brad Snedeker

Despite 11 deaths and more than 60 injuries -- many horrific and life-threatening -- the 2011 rescue efforts proved phenomenally successful. Producer Christine Lazzarini began researching the training of first responders and started a dialog with key survivors -- primarily those who had lost family members and/or limbs in the crash.

She discovered unexpected treasure -- stories of human kindness and resiliency. A son who lost a mother but found a new circle of friends. Family members who started a scholarship for nursing  students in the city where the tragedy happened. Nurses and aides who literally did laundry for visiting relatives of recovering victims. An annual gathering of survivors, filled with joy and hope.

Broken Propeller profiles that kindness and resiliency. Survivors, rescuers and medical professional tell their stories. Their first-person accounts help us all experience the anticipation of air racing excitement and the horror of the crash and aftermath. Medical professionals and average people emerge as heroes in their stories of survival and healing. 

Interwoven with the drama of life and death is the narrative of the training and preparation of Reno's first responders. We see that saving lives involves more than heroism -- it's the repeated practice of life-saving procedures and planning for the unexpected.

We are drawn to tragedy for the deepest and most personal reasons. We want to understand the human side of calamity. Broken Propeller shows us how catastrophic loss can blossom into tremendous love.

DVD/CD Combo $30.00

We are drawn to tragedy for the deepest and most personal reasons. We want to understand the human side of calamity. Broken Propeller shows us how catastrophic loss can blossom into tremendous love.

"You did a great job with a very difficult and emotional subject."