Blood Detectives

“Blood Detectives” has aired on the Discovery Health Channel and DC station WETA, and will soon arrive to a PBS-affiliated station near you. Check your local listings for air dates and times. Some airings have already been scheduled for this year.

About the Film

“Blood Detectives” is an hour-long documentary that details the secrets and mysteries of human blood and the highly specialized medical professionals—hematologists—who unravel these medical mysteries to save lives. The film dives deeply into the lives of patients who are affected by some of the most common, and sometimes deadliest, blood disorders, from six-year-old Ezra, who suffers from severe life-threatening anemia, to Rebecca, the young mother whose life and that of her baby are at risk because of a disorder that causes dangerous blood clots. This hour-long show follows the best in the field as they race against time to find treatments for conditions, from leukemia to bleeding disorders and more.

About the Filmmaker

Joseph Lovett is an award-winning documentary producer and director. Focusing on social issues and health, Mr. Lovett has produced more than 30 hours of prime-time television specials in the past 19 years. Past films and shows include: “In a New Light,” an annual broadcast of AIDS education and outreach specials using Hollywood celebrity performances to showcase the real stories of people dealing with different aspects of the AIDS epidemic; “State of Denial,” a feature film on AIDS in South Africa that aired on PBS’s “P.O.V.”; “Cancer: Evolution to Revolution” (HBO), a film about cancer that was honored with the Peabody Award, the Christopher Award, an Emmy nomination, and numerous awards from cancer advocacy organizations; “Fat Like Me” (ABC), a show about childhood obesity; “Coming Home” (Hallmark Channel), a film about forgiveness; and “Three Sisters” (HBO). In 2006, Mr. Lovett executive-produced “Too Hot NOT to Handle” (HBO), about global warming.

Host a Screening

Millions of people are affected by blood disorders each year, yet many are uninformed about even the most common conditions. Help raise awareness by sharing this film and/or hosting a screening of “Blood Detectives.” You might consider:

Showing the film in your waiting room as an educational tool for patients.
Screening the film for medical students at your institution to inspire them to pursue a career in hematology.
Sharing the film with colleagues, family, and friends to give them a better understanding of the important work that hematologists do.
Screening the film for your local Boy or Girl Scout troop, church, or community center to help people become informed about blood disorders.

Two “Blood Detectives” discussion guides are available to help you facilitate a dialogue with participants about topics seen in the film.

As “Blood Detectives” will be coming soon to a PBS station in your area, you may want to coordinate a local screening to coincide with the film’s air date. A list of scheduled airings is available on this site and is being updated on an ongoing basis; however, you are strongly encouraged to check your local listings for the most up-to-date information. If the film is not scheduled to air in your area, please sign up to request a DVD.