New ABC series shares remarkable transplant
Associated Press
NEW YORK
ABC’s remarkable program bringing together the recipient of the nation’s second face transplant and the donor’s family may someday stand as a bittersweet reminder of what broadcast news divisions can do at their best.
The story of James Maki and Joseph Helfgot is contained within “Boston Med,” an eight-part, prime-time series about the inner workings of three hospitals.
“Boston Med” took months of work, weaving in the professional and personal lives of doctors, nurses, residents and the patients they encounter.
Helfgot was the Hollywood marketing executive waiting for a heart transplant. Helfgot died.
Meanwhile, Maki and his doctors had agreed to have ABC’s cameras follow his hoped-for face transplant. The Massachusetts man was disfigured in June 2005 when he fell onto the electrified third rail at a subway station.
Maki received a portion of Helfgot’s face.
ABC doesn’t flinch at what can be uncomfortable pictures, even briefly showing part of Helfgot’s face in a tray waiting for transplant.
That transplant story consumes a single “Boston Med” episode, scheduled for Aug. 12.
Other episodes of “Boston Med” weave different stories throughout the hour.
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