We Did It — Because of You

I’ll never forget the moment we crossed the finish line.

I was walking with my daughters when I got the notification: The First Save was fully funded. I stopped right there on the sidewalk, dropped to my knees, and just… breathed. That kind of breath you take after sprinting for weeks, wondering if your legs will carry you to the end. And they did because of you.

To every person who gave, shared, encouraged, and believed: thank you. A million thank-yous.

But this isn’t the end. It’s the beginning.

This week, our producing team — Chris, Jonathan, Jor-El, and I — moves into full production mode. We’ll be locking in key crew, refining the budget, and making final casting decisions. If you're part of Inside the Rig, our insider circle, you’ll get updates as we move through this next chapter.

For now, we rest. Briefly.

The Campaign Isn't Over Just Yet

Though we hit 100%, the campaign officially runs through August 28 at 3:42 AM PDT. That’s when Seed&Spark will process pledges. If there are any issues with your payment method, someone from their team may reach out. If they can’t get in touch, that someone might be me.

In the meantime, if others still want to give, they can. Any additional support helps us build a stronger production. More hands, more help, and a little more breathing room to make this story shine.

We’re not just telling a story — we’re reclaiming a legacy. The First Save honors the first Black paramedics in America, whose courage and care changed emergency medicine forever. By supporting this film, you’ve helped bring that legacy to light.

On behalf of the entire team, from the bottom of my heart — thank you.

– Orlando Suazo, Jr.Writer/Director, The First Save