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Hospice of Michigan Documentary to Air on Detroit Public Television

Detroit—The Hospice of Michigan has produced a new documentary on end-of-life to air on Detroit Public Television Monday, March 23 and Sunday, March 29

 "Storytelling is the best way to share information and get people to see subjects in new ways," said Dottie Deremo, president and CEO of Hospice of Michigan.

"The documentary film, Except for Six, uses humor and emotion to tell the moving stories of three people, and hopefully will get the viewer thinking about a topic they might otherwise avoid.

"We are very excited that the documentary will be televised on Detroit Public Television, and we hope people will watch."

The film was directed by Matt Burnell, a young filmmaker from Grand Rapids. He and his crew spent many hours with the patients and families whose stories are told in the documentary.

Burnell said, "In a very short time, the patients and their families became accustomed to us being there, and we had the privilege of observing this very special time. As a result, we are able to share one of life's most natural events with the audience."

The title of the documentary, Except for Six, has a double meaning. Ron Christie, the 69-year-old man whose story is told in the film, spoke behind-the-scenes about the importance and value he placed on the "six people who carry you to your final resting place."

In hospice care, patients are referred to a hospice program when it is believed they have six months or fewer to live.

The film was edited locally by Derek Swanson of Mad River Post in Royal Oak.

Hospice of Michigan is one of the leading non-profit hospice organizations in the country, and the state's largest hospice organization serving more than 900 patients every day.

Hospice of Michigan's mission is to care for all who need and seek our care regardless of age, diagnosis, or ability to pay.

The documentary film Except for Six is part of a public awareness campaign from Hospice of Michigan called "Have You Had the Talk?"

For more information about the campaign, go to www.haveyouhadthetalk.com.  Hospice of Michigan, with headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, and offices located in 17 communities, serves patients and their families in more than 60 counties in the state of Michigan.