PHILADELPHIA – Three stories focusing on Penn State Hershey’s patients, families and history earned Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards during the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) chapter ceremony held at the Lowe’s Hotel in Philadelphia on Sept. 24.
The television productions, produced by FryFilms, earned the Human Interest News Feature Emmy for “A Mother’s Gift.” The piece featured the story of Children’s Miracle Network miracle child Mitchell Pollack and details the courageous fight of Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital caregivers and Mitchell’s family to save his life from kidney failure.
The Emmys also honored the Public/Community Affairs Feature “Conquering Childhood Cancer,” a story about the Four Diamonds Fund, the pediatric cancer charity supported by the annual IFC Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) with proceeds benefitting cancer care and support services for pediatric cancer patients as well as pediatric cancer research at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
FryFilms partner Todd Fry was awarded the Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Directing for the Penn State Hershey Medical Center historical documentary, “Memories and Milestones.” “Memories and Milestones” also was nominated for the documentary Emmy but fell short of the prize.
“All of the children, families and medical professionals trusted us with their stories, and we are honored to work with each and every one of them,” said Cara Fry, producer for all three productions.
The goals of NATAS are to recognize outstanding achievements in television by conferring annual awards of merit in the Chapter’s designated award region. The presentation of these awards is intended to be an incentive for the continued pursuit of excellence for those working in the television industry and to focus public attention on outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news and informational achievements in television.
All three videos can be seen on the Medical Center’s YouTube channel, www.YouTube.com/pennstatehershey.
Megan Manlove, Penn State University