Get Me to 21: The Jenna Lowe Story is a 90-minute documentary set to air on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) on Saturday, 12 August at 8:30pm.
The documentary follows the journey of Jenna Lowe, a teenager from Cape Town who, upon being diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), transformed into more than a patient; she emerged as an activist dedicated to raising awareness of the disease’s urgency.
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Back in 2014, well before her 21st birthday, Jenna initiated the highly successful #GetMeTo21 social media campaign. Her mission was two-fold: to raise awareness about the rare, perilous pulmonary hypertension and to galvanise organ donation efforts in South Africa.
With her articulate, courageous and captivating presence, Jenna’s impact reached far beyond borders, garnering international acclaim for her campaign’s significance.
This emotionally resonant documentary weaves together exclusive footage and poignant interviews with Jenna’s circle of friends, medical professionals and her family, including her mum Gabi, who intimately chronicled Jenna’s heroic battle with pulmonary hypertension in her acclaimed memoir, Get Me to 21.
Get Me to 21 stands as a tribute to Jenna’s unyielding spirit, unearthing the source of the Lowe family’s resilience and strength as they confronted every parent’s darkest fears.
From grappling with the medical community’s initial inability to diagnose Jenna’s condition to encountering a scarcity of treatment options, the Lowe family’s response was one of determination rather than resignation. Yet pulmonary hypertension’s unforgiving nature only added to the ordeal.
Waldimar Pelser, the director of premium channels at M-Net, shares his sentiments about Jenna’s journey:
“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.”
In honour of Jenna’s memory, her family established the Jenna Lowe Trust, a non-profit organisation. This initiative played a pivotal role in establishing the Jenna Lowe PH Clinic at Groote Schuur, a facility that presently supports approximately 600 pulmonary hypertension patients.
The clinic’s early diagnosis efforts have translated into an improved quality of life for countless individuals.
Gabi emphasises the importance of Jenna’s advocacy, stating, ‘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.’
Directed by Diana Lucas and edited by Mary Berry, Get Me to 21: The Jenna Lowe Story will premiere on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) this Saturday at 8:30pm.
More information regarding the Jenna Lowe Trust can be found here.
Written by Sarah Du Toit for Cape Town ETC.
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Feature Image: Jemma Lowe Trust
