Clear The List Sold-Out Documentary Premiere
Executive Producer, Dr. Praise Matemavi with Film Directors, Ashley Thaxton Chisholm and R.D. Chisholm IV
Clear the List Premiere: A Moving Tribute to the Power of Organ Donation
On Friday April 4, 2025, Duling Hall in Jackson, Mississippi, was filled with emotion and inspiration as it hosted the sold-out premiere of Clear the List, a documentary that tells the extraordinary story of a seven-person kidney donation chain—the largest in Mississippi history. Created by R.D. Chisholm IV and Ashley Thaxton Chisholm of Pioneer Productions, this film explores the profound impact of living kidney donation, showcasing the generosity of donors who selflessly gave to save lives. Clear The List honors the strength and resilience of recipients as they face the challenges of kidney disease, dialysis, and the hope for a life-saving transplant. The documentary also highlights the dedication of the doctors and medical staff who facilitated the internal kidney exchange at Mississippi’s only transplant center, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC).
From left to right: Kidney recipient Herbert Davis, recipient Jim Windham, recipient Tamira Harvey, donor Leah Cox, recipient Jason Smith, donor Kim Smith, filmmakers Ashley Thaxton Chisholm and R.D. Chisholm IV, recipient Brysun Redmond, donor Petrina McGee, donor Jennifer McCaffrey, and donor Rosemary Windham. Not pictured: donors Tammie Decker, Christopher Boone, Patrick Johnson; recipients Linda Boone and Erica Griffin.
The Story Behind the Chain
The heart of Clear the List lies in its focus on seven donors who gave kidneys to seven strangers in December of 2023 at UMMC. Two of these donors gave altruistically, while the others donated on behalf of family or friends who needed a transplant but were not direct matches. This paired exchange allowed every recipient to receive a compatible kidney, creating a ripple effect of hope and healing. Every participant, from the recipients and donors to the producers, gave all the glory to God for this miraculous, historic event. One recipient was MRA (Madison-Ridgeland Academy) Head Football Coach, Herbert Davis, whose journey was featured in the documentary.
The film’s co-director, Ashley Thaxton Chisholm, has a personal connection to this story. In 2019, she received a life-saving kidney donation from her father-in-law, Dr. Roy Chisholm. of Cumberland, Maryland. The surgeries were performed at UMMC by Dr. Praise Matemavi and Dr. Felicitas Koller, who also helped bring the documentary into existence. Having an intimate experience with the transplant process, Ashley's personal journey inspired the filmmaking duo to create the documentary, aiming to bring awareness and support to others facing similar challenges.
A few members of the UMMC Transplant Team came together to celebrate the premiere, marking a moment of joy and recognition for their life-changing work. (more pictures below)
A Night of Celebration and Reflection
The sold-out premiere brought together an audience that included UMMC staff and transplant team, donors, recipients, families, and advocates for organ donation. The Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA) was present, hosting a table to promote organ donor registration and raise awareness about the importance of becoming a donor, enhancing the evening's focus on organ donation and transplantation. Guests traveled to Jackson from across the country, including states like California, Wisconsin, Maryland, and others, demonstrating the national interest in the project. Living donor advocate Lynn Scotch, co-founder of The Organ Trail, also attended to support the film’s mission of raising awareness about living organ donation.
The evening began with an exciting welcome by transplant surgeon and Executive Producer, Dr. Praise Matemavi, and concluded with a heartfelt message of gratitude from R.D. Chisholm, the film's co-director. Ashley Chisholm, the other half of the Pioneer Productions duo, supported both appearances, walking hand-in-hand with each speaker as they took the stage. UMMC Transplant Nephrologist, Dr. Pradeep Vaitla also spoke words of gratitude for the overwhelming support. The atmosphere was electric as attendees celebrated not just the medical achievement but also the human stories behind it. The documentary captured moments of courage, gratitude, and connection that resonated deeply with everyone present.
The premiere of Clear The List at Duling Hall in Jackson, Mississippi, drew a sold-out crowd, prompting the rental of additional chairs just hours before the event to accommodate more than 250 attendees.
The Importance of Living Kidney Donation
Living kidney donation saves lives, as filmmaker Ashley Thaxton Chisholm can attest from her own experience. In the United States, over 90,000 people are waiting for life-saving kidney transplants. Tragically, many people do not survive on dialysis (the temporary treatment option that filters patients’ blood) while waiting to receive their kidney transplant. By showcasing stories like those in Clear the List, the filmmakers hope to inspire more people to consider becoming living donors and help “clear the list” of those waiting for transplants— particularly for Black patients who desperately need living donors to step in.
The paired exchange featured in this documentary is a testament to what’s possible when people step forward to give the gift of life. It demonstrates how one act of kindness can set off a chain reaction that saves lives and impacts countless others.
Tamira Harvey, a kidney recipient featured in Clear The List, experiences a rollercoaster of emotions as she watches the documentary with loved ones—moments of laughter and tears reflecting the powerful impact of the film.
Future Screenings and Impact
Although Friday’s premiere was sold out, future screenings are being planned to ensure this powerful story reaches broader audiences. The filmmakers aim to spark conversations about organ donation and encourage more people to take action—whether by registering as living or deceased donors or spreading awareness about the need for organ donation.
“I am humbled and overjoyed by the overwhelming outpouring of support and enthusiastic feedback we have received following the premiere. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who allowed us to film them during such a vulnerable point in their lives. Our hope is that this documentary helps to save the lives of many more who are on the transplant waitlist.” - R.D. Chisholm IV, co-director of Clear The List.
Filmmakers R.D. Chisholm IV and Ashley Thaxton Chisholm — The husband and wife duo live in Crystal Springs, Mississippi and have operated Pioneer Productions, their video production company, full time since 2017. They specialize in creating story-driven media and have produced commercials for global brands such as Save the Children, TJ Maxx, AARP, and Home Depot. Clear The List marks their first feature-length documentary.
How You Can Save Lives
If you would like to sign up to be tested as a potential living donor candidate at UMMC Transplant in Jackson, Mississippi, contact their Living Donor Coordinator at (601) 984-5065 or fill out this screening form: https://umc.edu/Healthcare/Transplant/Kidney%20Transplant/Living-Donor-Screening-Form.html
Through MORA, you can sign up to be a deceased organ donor: https://msora.org/register
Registering with MORA ensures that your wish to be an organ donor after death is honored. You do not have to have the organ donation heart symbol visible on your driver’s license to participate if you wish to keep your decision private.
Filmmaker & Kidney Transplant Recipient, Ashley Thaxton Chisholm, with her Donor & Father-in-Law, Dr. Roy Chisholm at UMMC in August of 2019.
Final Thoughts
The premiere of Clear the List was more than just a film screening—it was the launch of a movement. The documentary not only honors those who participated in this historic kidney chain but also serves as an urgent call to action for everyone to consider how they can help save lives through organ donation.
Pioneer Productions would like to thank all contributors as well as fellow sponsors of the event: Central Nephrology Clinic, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, UMMC Transplant, Drew Dempsey Photo & Design, and End of August Etsy Shop. To see more Pioneer Productions projects, visit pioneerproductions.org.
Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming screenings or visit clearthelist.com for more information on how you can support this important movement.
Event photos by Drew Dempsey & CT Adams.
