Thousands sign up as donors after tv hoax

At least 18,000 people downloaded a form to become an organ donor following Friday’s broadcast of the kidney donor tv show which transpired to be a hoax.


The show featured three kidney patients competing for a kidney from a terminally-ill woman, who was revealed at the end of the show to be an actress. The patients were all in on the plot.
Some 1.2 million people watched the broadcast on public channel BNN, which had been condemned by politicians, doctors and commentators around the globe.
After the show was revealed to be a set up, prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende said he was relieved. Prior to the broadcast, Balkenende said the show was damaging to the Netherlands’ international reputation.
The show was scheduled to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the death of BNN founder Bart de Graaff of kidney failure.

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