"Nightline" Life and Death Series Airs September 17-20 on ABC

Monday, September 17, 2007 -- Beginning tonight, "Nightline" chronicles the journey of four people facing life threatening illness as they struggle with their families to battle despair and celebrate life -- even as they come to terms with the possibility that death will come before they're ready. Four teams of "Nightline" correspondents and producers followed these men and women through medical triumphs and heart-breaking reversals. As their stories unfold, the reports explore the medical, ethical and emotional quandaries the families contend with.

Below is a description of this week's programs:

Monday, September 17 - correspondent John Donvan and ABC News' "Nightline" follow the story of a 36-year-old father named Stephen Dzemian trying to find a "saviour" -- a live donor who would have to risk his or her own life to save him. Given the chances that Stephen might die waiting for a liver from the organ donor bank, his doctors suggest he ask family and friends to make that life-threatening sacrifice.

Tuesday, September 18 -- John Donvan spends 6 months following a 37-year-old mother of three who is dying of Lou Gehrig's Disease and is trying to use the short time she has left to show her very young children how to live -- and live with her death.

Wednesday, September 19 -- Frank O'Day, 28 years old, is battling Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He knows that cancer patients 25 to 35 years old have poorer chances of survival than either children or older people. "Nightline" follows Frank in the fight for his life, as doctors and nurses try a new approach to treating young adults in an attempt to beat the odds and save him. Co-anchor Cynthia McFadden follows Frank on his journey.

Thursday, September 20 - Co-anchor Martin Bashir profiles Glenn Elfman, a man from Oregon who has been battling prostate cancer for over 10 years. When "Nightline" began filming with Elfman, he had been told by doctors he had only 18 months to live. Elfman decides that he will take his own life before he becomes too ill to enjoy it, and his wife struggles to live with his decision. "Nightline" follows the couple on their heart-wrenching and controversial journey.

"Nightline" is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Martin Bashir. James Goldston is the executive producer. "Nightline" airs at 11:35 p.m. (ET/PT) weeknights on the ABC Television Network.

Source: ABC

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