by Valeria Fanelli –

Emergency’s short documentary “Open Heart” has has been shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination in the Short Documentary category and is in the run to gain an Oscar nomination.

The short documentary tells the story of eight Rwandan children who embark on a life-or-death, cross-continental journey to receive high-risk open-heart surgery.

Their final destination, the Salam Center in Sudan (founded by Emergency), is Africa’s only free-of-charge, state-of-the-art cardiac hospital.

By watching the journey of these brave children and their families, viewers come to understand more deeply the necessity of accessible health care and the importance of second chances.

Here is a preview of the documentary that Eric Talbert, executive director of Emergency USA, has shared with us.

Why does Italians in Chicago stay with Emergency?

It is not just because Emergency was founded in Italy by an Italian.

It is not only because we feel we have to do it because of the Christmas spirit.

It is not because we want to show we stand for a “right cause.”

It is because since 1994, over 4,794,000 people in 16 countries have received free, high quality health care by Emergency.

It is because the organization provides free, high quality medical and surgical treatment to the victims of war, land-mines and poverty and promotes a culture of peace, solidarity and respect for human rights.

This is why Italians in Chicago stays with Emergency.

For more information, please visit: www.emergencyusa.org or www.emergency.it.