One journalistic work stands out in the investigative film category: author Ulrike Gehring has received numerous national and international awards for her research and two films on the undiscovered dangers of blood transfusions: But in addition to the prominent recognition of the film “ Bad Blood” in Cannes, where it left productions from all continents behind, the recognition of this work by medical expert committees in Germany is at least as important to the maker. She has won the Hartmann-Bund film prize and the Mensch-Medien-Technik film prize, among others.

“It is the greatest privilege for a journalist to uncover a grievance that has never been reported on before anywhere in the world. But in the course of this research, it proved to be an ever greater responsibility, she says. Because the topic concerns us all so directly. As patients, as blood donors, as doctors and as relatives. Bad news brings up bad pressure. That was a challenge in many respects.

On ARD, it is considered a major exception if a topic is reported on several times. Due to the explosive nature of the issue, the editorial team made it possible for us to produce a second documentary. It was only thanks to this that we succeeded in changing awareness in the patient and medical world in the long term.

The fact that in Prof. Dr. Dr. Kai Zacharowski we had found a doctor who was the first to answer the questions honestly at the time, who expressed his doubts and who, together with his team of doctors, became a key protagonist for us in the course of our research, is what we call television luck. In the meantime, he has driven forward a worldwide initiative on patient blood management. It was only a few years ago. But at the time of our first publication, it took courage and steadfastness in the face of threats and hostility. For some doctors, by the way, just as much as for the journalist herself.

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