Meet the two women driving an ambulance across America to end the chronic blood shortage

Their goal of getting 2,500 people to donate blood is just the beginning. They hope to inspire a new generation of lifelong blood donors across America. To do that, the dynamic duo is traveling travel Route 66 collecting stories of kindness, connection, and community.

View the full trailer below

THE quick DETAILS

lori & marie hit the road
July 7th - July 18th, 2026

They’ll collect stories from patients, doctors, and donors along the way.

the duo will travel to 10 cities across 7 states, from Chicago to santa monica on route 66. A doc crew will be in tow.

10 CORPORATE SPONSORS & blood centers have supported the film so far, with more to follow

VIEW THE TRAVEL SCHEDULE

THE WOMEN BEHIND the mission

Lori Talbot and Marie Forrestal have been friends since grade school, growing up together in the small town of Cranford, New Jersey. Over the years, life took them in different directions, but both were deeply impacted by blood donation in personal ways.

Marie spent her career working in blood banking and donor advocacy, witnessing firsthand how life saving blood donations are for patients every day. Lori experienced that impact from the other side, as both her daughter and husband needed blood during medical treatment. After losing her husband Bob to cancer, Lori continues donating blood in his honor.

What started as conversations between lifelong friends eventually turned into something much bigger: a cross-country documentary and awareness movement for blood donation, built around kindness and connection.

WHY NOW?

As Route 66 turns 100 years old in 2026, the timing felt impossible to ignore. What better moment to travel one of America’s most iconic highways and tell stories about kindness, connection, and the people who still show up for one another?

At the same time, blood centers across the country continue to face a growing challenge: a shrinking donor population and an increase in demand for blood. It’s an issue that isn’t going away, and one that will eventually impact everyone if a new generation of donors isn’t inspired to step forward.

Instead of continuing to talk about it, Lori and Marie decided to do something bold. At this point in their lives, they couldn’t find a good reason to say no to the adventure, the mission, or the opportunity to make a difference.

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY

raw emotions, TOUCHING stories

Lori and Marie are chasing the stories found in blood centers, small towns, roadside diners, coffee shops, roadside attractions, and conversations with strangers across America.

Miles of Kindness blends human-interest storytelling, Route 66 Americana, female-led adventure, real stories of blood donation, friendship, resilience, humor, heart, and the unexpected moments that happen out on the open road.

filmed in real time

This isn’t a scripted production or a planned reality show. Lori and Marie are documenting the journey as it unfolds: the people they meet, the stories they hear, the setbacks, the laughter, and the moments they never saw coming.

The documentary is being filmed by an Emmy Award-winning crew.

the ride: rosie the rescuer

At the center of the journey is Rosie the Rescuer, a ridiculously wrapped and decorated ambulance that Marie will drive across America on historic Route 66.

With fingers crossed that Rosie survives the July heat, Lori and Marie will show off Rosie from town to town meeting blood donors, recipients, healthcare workers, and everyday people whose lives have been shaped by kindness and the lifesaving impact of blood donation.