Discovery Channel and Ted Koppel Present 'KOPPEL ON DISCOVERY: LIVING WITH CANCER'

Discovery Channel and Ted Koppel Present 'KOPPEL ON DISCOVERY: LIVING WITH CANCER'

Live town hall meeting moderated by Koppel to follow world premiere; Elizabeth Edwards and Lance Armstrong among panelists to appear

SILVER SPRING, Md., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 10 million Americans are living with cancer. As early detection has become more prevalent, and as treatments have become more effective, many cancer survivors are finding that they can treat their cancer as a chronic disease. On Sunday, May 6, at 8PM E/P, Discovery Channel will present a special 3-hour broadcast of "Koppel on Discovery" dedicated to the discussion of living with cancer. In a live town hall meeting at Discovery Communications headquarters in Silver Spring, MD, Ted Koppel will be joined by Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential candidate John Edwards; Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France champion; and Leroy Sievers, Koppel's longtime executive producer and friend - each of whom will discuss their experience with coping with a cancer diagnosis. The panel will interact with an audience comprised entirely of people living with cancer, their loved ones, and the professionals who care for them. Immediately prior to the town meeting, Discovery Channel will broadcast a series of Koppel's conversations with Sievers and Armstrong.

As colleagues for more than 15 years, Koppel and Sievers have covered news events in hotspots around the world, including the war zones of Kosovo, Somalia and Iraq. They are also neighbors and close friends. Six years ago, Sievers was diagnosed with colon cancer and was treated successfully. In December of 2005, doctors discovered that the cancer had recurred, spreading to Sievers' brain and lungs. Shortly after the diagnosis, he agreed to allow Koppel to document his battle with the disease. In "Koppel on Discovery: Living with Cancer," Koppel and Sievers discuss what it's like to face the prospect of dying, as well as the highs and lows that come with living with cancer.

Sievers recounts how cancer has affected his personal relationships, his professional life, and simple day-to-day activities. He also jokes that cancer has been his greatest career move yet -- throughout the program, Sievers reads from his popular blog on NPR.org, "My Cancer," through which he has created a unique and expanding online community.

In his discussion with Koppel, Armstrong speaks candidly and even credits cancer with contributing to the full, rich life that he leads today. Looking back on his 1996 diagnosis, Armstrong recalls the pain of watching his mother react to the heartbreaking news that her only child had a 50/50 chance of surviving cancer. He describes the grueling nature of the chemotherapy he received, and reflects on the competition that arose between him and his cancer, as well as his triumphant return to professional cycling.

Previous KOPPEL ON DISCOVERY broadcasts include THE PRICE OF SECURITY, IRAN - THE MOST DANGEROUS NATION and OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN'S WAR.

The executive producers of KOPPEL ON DISCOVERY: LIVING WITH CANCER are Tom Bettag and Elissa Rubin. Ted Koppel is the Managing Editor of Discovery Channel, and he is joined by a team of some of the best researchers and producers in the industry. Together they are producing a slate of long-form programming exclusively for Discovery Channel that touches on some of the most important events, people and places changing lives today. From field reporting to script writing, every aspect of the series is shaped by Koppel's 44 years of experience and unparalleled journalistic integrity.

Sievers' blog, "My Cancer," can be found at http://www.npr.org/mycancer

Discovery Communications, Inc.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion people in over 170 countries. Through TV and new media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Travel Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Health. DCI is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (Nasdaq: DISCA; DISCB), Cox Communications Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit http://www.discovery.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Discovery Channel

CONTACT: Tammy Shea of Discovery Communications, Inc., +1-240-662-6506,
tammy_shea@discovery.com

Web site:

http://www.discovery.com/
http://www.npr.org/mycancer

NOTE TO EDITORS: Pictures are available to the press at http://www.press.discovery.com

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