Television Writers, Producers to Weigh Hollywood's Version of Organ Donation

Event is Part of National Coalition on Donation Workshop, Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles

June 9, 2005

WHAT:

As Hollywood makes organ and tissue donation a common storyline in television drama, the donation community is anxious to ensure that the information presented in these mediums is accurate. The Hollywood and Organ Donation panel is a first step to a national effort to help writers gain access to the incredible, emotional and inspiring real-life stories of organ and tissue donation. The Hollywood and Organ Donation panel launches the Coalition on Donation's Annual Spring Workshop, held this year in Los Angeles from June 12-14.

WHO:

Dr. David Foster, Writer for the "SVU" "Parts" episode and for the show, "House" on Fox

Vicki Beck, President of Hollywood Health and Society and advisor on "Grey's Anatomy" organ donation episode

Lyla Oliver, Writer for "Judging Amy" and developed an organ donation episode

Linda Grasso, Entertainment writer and current producer of "The Gift"

WHEN:

Panel - Mon., June 13, 9 am to 10:30 am -- Pacific Palisades Room

John Malkow, a cornea recipient featured in the national "Empowering Testimonials" campaign, will speak immediately prior

WHERE:

Westin Century Plaza Hotel & Spa, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Telephone: 310-277-2000, www.centuryplazala.com

WHY:

Organ and tissue donation is the basis of successful movies like "John Q" and "Twenty-one Grams" and is increasingly being woven into storylines on hit shows such as "Grey's Anatomy," "ER," and "Law and Order SVU," among others. Many people in the general public still have deep misconceptions about organ and tissue donation that stop them from signing up to be organ and/or tissue donors. With 17 people dying every day due to lack of available organs, the donation and transplantation community works tirelessly to dispel these myths to save more lives.

CONTACT:

Rivian Bell or Debra Stolberg, JDI Communications, Inc., 213.612.4927 or 888.477.4319 (24-hour pager), jdicomm@ix.netcom.com or rlb@abmac.com

This article posted July 23, 2005.