De Grote Donorshow

Just added an article from the Guardian to our links. You may remember hearing about a Dutch reality TV show by Big Brother producers Endemol, in which a terminally ill woman would select one of three kidney disease patients to recieve her kidneys after her death. Viewers could vote by text, but the final decision would be up to her based on the contestants' history, and conversations with them and their family and friends. Of course there was massive outcry against the ethics of the program from political parties and kidney charities alike. However, broadcasting went ahead, and the program was later revealed to be a hoax - the donor was an actress, and while the three contestants were genuinely ill and in need of transplants, they agreed to take part to raise awareness of the issue of organ donation. It was also revealed that the former director of the broadcasting station BNN, Bart de Graaff, had died from kidney failure aged 35 after spending years on a transplant waiting list. Since the show was revealed as a hoax, over 12,000 more people have registered as organ donors in the Netherlands alone. Does this mean the performance was worthwhile? To vote "yes", please text "yes"to 88220, network charges may vary...