December 14, 2007
CNN To Air New Youssif Documentary Christmas Eve
I am not always kind to CNN, but I like to give credit where it's due. As you know, the network brought public attention to little Youssif, an Iraqi boy who became horribly disfigured earlier this year when thugs doused him in gasoline and set him afire when he was playing outside his Baghdahd home.
Since then, Youssif and his family were flown to the United States so he could receive all-expenses paid medical treatment from the Children's Burn Foundation in Sherman Oaks, California. (My previous Youssif posts can be found here and here.)
Now, CNN is planning to air a documentary on Christmas Eve called "Impacting Your World -- Rescuing Youssif." From the press release I received today:
Born in Baghdad only seven months before the start of the war in Iraq, Youssif knew only a world of unpredictable violence. And yet, his family described him as happy and energetic with dreams of becoming a doctor. All that changed in January when three masked assailants doused Youssif in gasoline, set him on fire and left a scarred and traumatized boy.
Rescuing Youssif, the first television special related to CNN’s ongoing “Impact Your World” initiative, not only documents Youssif’s recovery but reveals how the network’s global audience embraced the story and offered money and support to speed his treatment. "Impact Your World – Rescuing Youssif" will premiere on Monday, Dec. 24, at 10 p.m., with replays on Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 1a.m. and 4 a.m. All times Eastern.
CNN’s Baghdad correspondent Arwa Damon first brought the story of Youssif’s plight to the world in August, reporting that treatment at a local hospital was second-rate and painful for Youssif. Youssif’s mother, Zaineb, movingly described how the dynamic personality of her son took a disheartening turn. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports on Youssif’s medical progress and provides insight into his emotional and physical recovery.
Response from CNN’s global audience was immediate and overwhelming. Online, the story became the single most-visited non-breaking news story in CNN.com’s 12-year history, with nearly 4 million page views within two days.
News of Youssif’s plight surfaced two months after CNN developed its Impact Your World initiative, a multi-platform effort to empower its global audience to make a difference in response to the stories they see online and on air. Through Impact Your World, more than 13,000 people from around the world contributed more than $300,000 to the Children’s Burn Foundation, allowing Youssif and his family to fly to the United States for treatment.
In addition, plastic surgeon Peter Grossman donated his services for the half dozen or more surgeries Youssif required for recovery. For Rescuing Youssif, Damon and Gupta remained in close contact with Youssif’s family in order to monitor the boy’s medical progress at the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles.
The documentary follows Youssif’s family as they experience a series of ‘firsts’ as they traveled and arrived in the United States, from learning how to use a toaster to seeing the ocean for the first time. It shows a Youssif breaking out of his shell and becoming, once again, a happy and energetic boy. And it reveals the generosity and concern of thousands of CNN viewers and online users.
The media using its force for good is something I am always happy to promote.
Show Comments »
Pam, I've tagged you with the CHRISTmas spirit! Following the link above!
Post the link I emailed you here:
Posted by: Aaron at December 18, 2007 07:42 PMWhat a nice summary of the story of Youssif. I've been following him, like many others around the world. Anyone who has children can understand the wretched pain of the parents as they deal with the suffering their little boy is going through.
His mother's comments about how she was afraid Americans would not like them because of their nationality, and yet they have found our people to only be kind and supportive, was very heart warming. It shows that one small child can bring out the love in people. If only this love and understanding could be strong enough to heal this world. It's a great story that we hope will end well, although this child will carry these scars forever. Those who did this terrible thing should be caught and punished, tho there is little hope that will happen now.
