Day of Compassion

Day Of Compassion was an annual television special which honored those who have AIDS or who are HIV-positive. Neil Tadken, creator, was so moved by the HIV/AIDS-awareness storyline involving the character Billy Douglas on One Life To Live, that Tadken contacted the producers of all ten daytime dramas, suggesting that on June 21, their shows mention AIDS and HIV in some way. All My Children, One Life To Live, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives participated in the first year. Hollywood Support's became the supporting organization, headed by Barry Diller and other major studio heads in the Hollywood. Neil Taken then met with producer Lawrence Leritz, who agreed to become the East Coast producer and spokesman. Leritz continued for three seasons; "Day Of Compassion" became the largest one-day event in television history with over 200 shows on the air; soaps, talk shows, cable and news. Time Magazine named Lawrence as their Local Hero in June 1996 for his contribution.