2000 Cancer

2000

One Life To Live's Erika Slezak was chosen to present the socially relevant and extremely important story of a woman's fight to overcome breast cancer. An issue that has certainly touched the lives of most every viewer in some way. Her depiction of the stages of fear, grief, anger, determination and hope were an inspiration to all who watched. She made us cry, she made us laugh, but most importantly she made us realize how fragile life is. How very important it is that a woman does self examination monthly and has regular mammograms. (M.Raymond)

Erika on the Breast Cancer Storyline: For Erika Slezak, playing her character's latest trauma - in this case, breast cancer - has been hard work. "It's a very difficult story to tell," she states. Not that Viki's a stranger tohardship. "We've done a lot of things with Viki: Eterna, heaven, the Old West...But most of them, the heavy-duty stories, are things people can relate to. We wanted to do this [breast cancer storyline] as best we could because, unfortunately, not everyone is a survivor .

Viki Battles Breast Cancer

Written By: M. Schade

A hint of concern for Viki's health first surfaced December 2, 1999 when Larry quizzed her about canceling her physical. However, you know Viki. She always put herself last and made all kinds of excuses. She was concerned about Ben's being investigated for Max's brain damage, his quitting his job at the hospital, and his decision to get away from Llanview alone. She wasn't happy finding Skye at Kevin's and the fact Dorian took her in. There was Jessica's birthday party to plan and the busy holidays. Then there was Ben. Would he come home for Christmas, or would she never see him again?

After Christmas there was still no time to schedule a physical because of the New Year's Eve wedding of Sam and Nora. January brought more concerns as Ben tore up his medical license and refused to even attend a hearing' Ben's precarious relationship with Asa; Jessica's budding romance with Will; and her own bouts of insecurity even though Ben reassured her he loved only her.

She had cancelled and rescheduled her physical several times for over a month, but Ben finally convinced her to go. After January 19 her world would never be the same again because the last thing she envisioned was being told, "there is a suspicious area on your mammogram." How could that be? Could there be a mistake?

She felt fine. She took care of herself. She had to talk to Ben. He would listen, give her advice, comfort her, and be there for her. But again her world fell apart because Ben was engrossed in his fight with Asa. They argued, and she gave him a choice - her or the gun. His anger took over, and she tearfully left knowing this was her battle to fight alone.

A week later Viki received a call from Dr. Hanson suggesting an ultrasound and needle aspiration, but she couldn't keep her secret for long because Kevin intercepted a note from Dr. Hanson. She confided in her eldest son but asked that they not inform Joey and Jessica until they were certain of the tests. Kevin became her rock and gave her strength and hope. He was with her when she went to Dr. Daniels for a second opinion and was told it could be cancer, and a biopsy was suggested.

She had several encounters with Ben, but his vendetta and hatred for Asa was so strong that he still couldn't choose her and be there for her. She was crushed. She wanted to tell him about the cancer but she didn't want him to come back to her because she was sick. She knew he'd be at her side in a minute, only the last thing she wanted and needed was his pity. The only other person she confided in was Dorian who was leaving town. Dorian would understand because she had battled breast cancer. The woman, who had been her enemy for so many years, offered to stay and help her through her ordeal, but Viki, not concerned for herself, told Dorian to "Go for It!"

She tried to puther fears of the biopsy results out of her mind by playing games with the children and going to the Banner. But nothing could prepare her for that tragic news on March 7 when Dr. Daniels told her the tumor was malignant. Kevin was with her - so strong, so confident, so reassuring. He was her source of comfort and the only one who could completely help keep her from falling apart. Dr. Daniels suggested a modified radical mastectomy.

She couldn't put off telling Joey and Jessica any longer. In disbelief they listened as she tried to reassure them she would be fine, and her chances were very good. But later both Joey and Jessica broke down in despair and fear.

Ben reopened Crossroads, and she instinctively had to go for "one last time." They danced to their song, and as emotions overwhelmed her in the coatroom, she told Ben, "what they had was so special, and she'd remember it until the day she died." She sobbed, "I wanted one more beautiful memory with you and me in this place before." She fled leaving Ben confused, but he followed her to the parking lot where he told her how much he loved her and suggested they get married the next day, go to Florida where he first proposed, dance, dine, and lie on the beach and make love till dawn. She loved, needed, and wanted him, but Dr. Daniel's words, modified radical mastectomy, kept overpowering her, and she told Ben theirs was a beautiful fairytale, which couldn't come true.

She tired to put the surgery out of her mind by making extra food for the children, going to the Banner and talking to the staff, speaking at a playground fundraiser, and going to see Asa in the hospital.

Still the reality of what was ahead forced her to retreat to the attic where she tearfully had a conversation with an imaginary Ben.

The children accompanied her to the hospital, and after she was alone, she sat on the bed and sang, "I Will Survive." The surgery and reconstruction went well, but she received more devastating news when test results revealed some lymph nodes had cancer cells, and chemo would be necessary.

During Viki's first chemo session, she became ill. Ben thinking Jessica would lead him to Will, followed her to Cherryvale Clinic where he discovered Viki's illness.

He was destroyed and realized he had to be with her. There could be no secrets between them anymore, so when she came back to Llanfair, he was there. Afraid she may not love him anymore when he revealed he was Asa's son, he was thrilled when she told him she didn't care what his last name was. She loved him more than ever. She was heartbroken when he revealed he already knew about the cancer. He reassured her he loved her, and they would fight this dreaded disease together. Ben took her to their special place, the attic. This was where she had save his life, where they had revealed their identities, where they made love for the first time, and he asked her again to marry him.

Their love was stronger than ever, and no one or nothing could touch them. When they made love for the first time after her surgery, Ben was understanding, gentle, and very sensitive to her apprehension. But his caring erased all he fears of intimacy, and they basked in their deep love, passion, and desire for each other.

He was with her during the chemo session and saved her life when an allergic reaction caused her to go into shock. He comforted her when she lost her hair and offered to shave his head to make her feel more comfortable.

After months of fear and speculation came the good news that the cancer was in remission. They rejoiced fully aware that the journey might not be over. But for now there was joy and hope and the possibility of a future. They had fought this horrible disease together, and they had won. No matter what the future brought, Ben was with her again - body and soul, and she'd never have to fear the unknown again.

CDC Sentinel for Health Award

ABC Daytime's "One Life To Live" Has Won The First-Ever CDC Sentinel For Health Award For A Daytime Drama

The ABC Daytime drama, "One Life to Live," won the first-ever Centers for Disease Control Sentinel for Health Award for a Daytime Drama in ceremonies that took place Saturday, Oct. 14, in Los Angeles. The storyline, "Viki's Breast Cancer," was selected from four finalists, all of which are ABC Daytime dramas. The announcement was made at Soap Summit V, an educational conference hosted by Population Communications International for writers, producers and network executives of daytime dramas.

In the award-winning storyline, Viki (Erika Slezak) was stunned to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer following a routine mammogram. The strong-willed newspaper publisher faced her greatest battle ever as she was forced to come to terms with the devastating disease without the support of her estranged fiance, Ben (Mark Derwin). She found comfort and strength from her children, and underwent a modified radical mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. "One Life to Live" devoted an entire episode to Viki, as she prepared to enter the hospital. Viki later dealt with the devastating effects of chemotherapy, which included the loss of her hair. Viki and Ben finally reconciled and she was able to share her fears and triumphs with the man she loves. This powerful story is ongoing, as "One Life to Live" is committed to following through with Viki's difficult journey.

ABC Daytime's other nominated storylines were the "Matt Walks" storyline on "Port Charles," which dealt with the misconceptions of disability; "All My Children's" story of "Drunk Driving Revisited," which explores the impact of drunk driving on family members over time; and "Pediatric and Adolescent AIDS Awareness" on "General Hospital," which combined prevention messages with the positive effect the dedication of a community can have on raising awareness of this deadly disease.

The Sentinel for Health Award for Daytime Drama recognizes exemplary achievements of daytime dramas that inform, educate and motivate viewers to make choices for healthier and safer lives. For many loyal viewers, daytime dramas provide both entertainment and incidental information about disease, injury and disability. Through their portrayals of characters' lives, writers and producers have a unique opportunity to touch viewers' lives. The way a popular character deals with a personal health decision and its impact can nfluence audience members to think about their own choices. A compelling storyline that demonstrates risky behavior and consequences, or shows how to avoid risk, can benefit millions of viewers and their loved ones.

The Sentinel for Health Award for Daytime Drama was developed by the CDC and is supported by the CDC Foundation to encourage more health storylines and more accurate portrayals of health topics in daytime drama. CDC analysis of data from the 1999 Healthstyles Survey shows that nearly half of regular viewers of soap operas report that they have learned about a disease or how to prevent it from a soap opera, and more than one-third have taken some action as a result.

"One Life to Live," created by Agnes Nixon, launched July 15, 1968. The popular drama consistently ranks among the top five in the key demographic of Women 18-49. "One Life to Live" airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (2:00-3:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Jill Farren Phelps is the executive producer; Megan McTavish is the head writer.

ABC Daytime Media Relations:
Nancy Sherman (212) 456-7749