Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

In a brand new live series for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One Daytime, Lifegivers takes a look at the life-saving world of organ and blood donation.

Last year more than 3,000 lives* were saved or improved by an organ transplant and these operations and countless others were made possible through blood donation.

Sadly, however, more than 500 people* died while waiting for a life-saving transplant operation and more than 7,000 people* are still on the waiting list.

Presented by Nadia Sawalha (Wanted Down Under, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One) and DrΒ Jonty Heaversedge (Street Doctor, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One), Lifegivers explains the facts, dispels the myths and raises awareness of the issues surrounding organ and blood donation through a mixture of live studio guests and powerful personal stories from across the UK.

Among the heart-warming and moving stories featured in the series is Scotland's first living liver donor – a young woman who donated two-thirds of her liver to save her dying husband.

In Wales, Lifegivers speaks to the first woman in the UK to have four separate transplants – a new heart, lung, liver and kidney.

And we hear the story of the young man who had 90 operations and four kidney transplants before his sixth birthday.

Taking a look at all sides of organ donation, Lifegivers also looks at the stories of those enduring the agonising wait for a donor as well as the journeys of patients undergoing life saving transplants in the operating theatre.

Alongside filmed interviews, Nadia and Jonty are joined live in the studio each morning by a host of guests from people who have recently undergone operations; the families of donors meeting the people who have benefited from their loved one's life-saving gift; and celebrity guests, including sports presenter Gabby Logan and former Olympic athlete Colin Jackson, talking about their own personal experiences and work in the field of organ and blood donation.

Each day the show will update viewers on the blood stocks and blood donor sessions happening across the country, while viewers interested in finding out more information about blood and organ donation will be able to visit bbc.co.uk/lifegivers or ring the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Action Line.

Liam Keelan, Controller, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Daytime, who commissioned the series, says: "Lifegivers is a compelling live factual show for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Daytime which will raise awareness around the important issue of organ and blood donation.

"Following on from the success of shows such as Missing Live, Lifegivers continues Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Daytime's commitment to tackle serious subjects that matter to our audience."

The series is produced by Leopard Films. The Executive Producer for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is Gerard Melling and, for Leopard Films, Miles Jarvis. The Series Producer is Stephen James-Yeoman.

Miles Jarvis says: "Signing up to be a donor is not a decision to take lightly. Lifegivers has an important role in highlighting the issues through the real and fascinating stories of those affected by organ and blood donation.

"The featured stories are both thought-provoking and informative and underline the importance of this kind of programming. Leopard Films is uniquely placed to make this series for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One Daytime."

The five-part series will be broadcast daily for one week in April 2009.

Notes to Editors

* Transplant Activity in the UK 2007-2008, NHS Blood and Transplant

RB