Huff, huff.

That's the sound of me breathing heavily as I race through the day. I (mistakenly) thought today would be slower than yesterday which was Body Worlds 3 day, but little did I know.

I've been making calls, purging the email, writing the online version of Body Worlds, doing this blog, have to write Monday's sweeps story and go shoot next Wednesday's story at 1.

Huff, huff.

Oh yeah, "sweeps" is the same as "ratings".. so it's basically a special story that gets a little bit of extra time to produce.

Enough about that. Let's talk Legacy!

So, the PR gal I worked with at Legacy came to my interview with Dr. Muller armed with an email about new screenings that Legacy offers for a fee.

Here's the press release, if you'd like to check this out:
http://www.legacyhealth.org/body.cfm?id=9&action=detail&ref=312

They are similar to the screenings that Life Line offers, but they cost more. Legacy says if you have the money, you can get screened even if you don't have a family history of disease. So, the question becomes: does this present a conflict of interest considering the doctor we spoke to works for Legacy and doesn't like mobile screening companies.. when Legacy is just getting into the business itself??

Here is my 'take'.. but you'll have to tell me what you think.

First, the doctor we spoke to didn't really know about the new Legacy screening program, so it wasn't like she was trying to drive business to her hospital. It's a brand new program. Second, I would be willing to bet you lunch that the doctor's opinion about these screenings would remain relatively unchanged.. that if you have no family history of a particular disease-- save your money and spare yourself the risk of tests that can give you false-positives and false-negatives. That's just my hunch. And, you should know I've worked with this doctor before and think she is really fantastic and knowledgeable.

Previously, the gal with Legacy PR said that Legacy is not-for-profit, while these mobile screening companies are out to make a buck. She also added that you will always know how to find the hospital, whereas a mobile screening is just that-- mobile, and the responsibilty falls to you for any after-care you might need.

I leave it up to you to share your opinions:

sstricklen@kgw.com

Here is a link to Life Line if you'd like to check it out: http://www.lifelinescreening.com/

Opinions about the Body Worlds story I did:
Debra writes: I stayed up later than normal last night just to see what you would have to say about Bodyworlds. I saw the exhibit while on a business trip to Denver
in 2006. Wow, how amazing! I really came away from it with a deep sense of
awe about the Source or Higher Power that created us all. We really are
amazing creatures!

Joanne writes: I just went up to Seattle on this past Saturday to view "Bodies the Exhibition" which is the same premise of Body Worlds 3. Sunday was the last day of the several month exhibit and since it wasn't coming to Portland, I thought I better get up there to see it. It was great, and fascinating to say the least. Very, very educational. I took my niece, who is a Junior at Benson High School and who is really into her anatomy, as she is just starting her clinicals at school this past week. She said it was "tight" or "the bomb", as young kids express themselves. She kept me educated as I try to read and pronounce the medical technical names and elaborated for me on the functions and how they were inter-connected with other body parts. I wanted to understand what the Vascular Surgeon did, when he performed a arterial bypass on my mother's leg, last month. I also grabbed my other niece, who is a Sophomore, and lives in Seattle and took her with us. She also thought it was an eye opening experience. I agree, we are a very complex being and God certainly new what he was doing when he created us. My 24 year old daughter, who is in the medical field, was disappointed she couldn't go because of a previous engagement. But maybe she can get a taste of it, when it comes to Portland.

And Peggy writes: One word - naaaasty! I really wish the promos for the 11:00 news weren't showing the bodies. Perhaps for med students this has a purpose, but I'll stick to OMSI's see-through lady from years ago.

Gorge Scott is BACK with photos to share!!!

And how 'bout this for an 'altercation'?

And have you ever seen these guys off of I-84 near John Day??:

HAPPY FRIDAY!!
Click to email Stephanie Stricklen