function checkFriendForm() {

	var objRegistrationForm;
	
	// retrieve the form field values
	objRegistrationForm = document.getElementById("friendForm");

	// check that a valid email address was entered
	if (!(/^\w+([\.-]?\w+)*@\w+([\.-]?\w+)*(\.\w{2,3})+$/.test(trim(objRegistrationForm.email.value)))){
		alert("Please enter a valid email address.");
		objRegistrationForm.email.value = trim(objRegistrationForm.email.value);
		objRegistrationForm.email.focus();
		return false;
	}
	
	if (!(/^\w+([\.-]?\w+)*@\w+([\.-]?\w+)*(\.\w{2,3})+$/.test(trim(objRegistrationForm.emailFriend.value)))){
		alert("Please enter a valid email address.");
		objRegistrationForm.emailFriend.value = trim(objRegistrationForm.emailFriend.value);
		objRegistrationForm.emailFriend.focus();
		return false;
	}
	
	return true;
}