Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Network Inc

HPS Network Regional Coordinator Karen Tillman was interviewed by producers and a film crew from the popular Discovery Health television show Mystery Diagnosis May 20 – 22nd. The team traveled to Greensboro, N.C. and spent five hours interviewing Karen about her HPS diagnosis story. They also interviewed her father, husband and sister as well as her dermatologist Dr. Lomax. Dr. Lomax is the physician who helped Karen obtain testing for HPS when she first learned of the disorder back in 2002.

“The process was tiring,” says Karen. She spent hours on the phone with various producers from the filming company in the weeks leading up to the filming.

After the one-on-one interviews were completed at a local television studio, various scenes from Karen’s medical life were re-created at her hospital using hired actresses to play Karen at various ages. Extras played the roles of doctors.

The final day was spent filming re-creations at Karen’s home. Karen threw a barbeque party for all of her local friends and family that helped with the filming as well as her annual fundraiser, the Human Race. Unfortunately, because filming was still taking place inside the house, Karen was barely able to attend her own party!

Heather Kirkwood was on hand to extend a special thank you to Karen’s supporters for all of their time and effort over the years.

The Mystery Diagnosis producers do not have an exact air date for the show, however, they expect it to be the fifth episode in the season. It will most likely air the last week in September. Watch the HPS Network Web site for updates on air times.