Each year, millions of Americans are confronted with tough decisions regarding their health and their future. Whether it's the diagnosis of a disease, or the onset of complications regarding old age, patients are faced with questions and situations that ultimately determine their future quality of life. Does a patient have an advanced directive or a living will? Do they have a treatment plan solidified?

In the past, many patients have been unable to make these decisions coherently, as they have no guiding voice to help them along with the process. Additionally, despite the intention of providing affordable medical care for all Americans, medical insurance options for consumers have resulted in restricted care networks, higher premiums for comprehensive coverage, and an unregulated increase in medical expenses.

However, with the recent growth of Patient Advocacy, and the concept of having a person singularly designated to help guide patients and their families through these trying times, more and more people are living with strength and confidence that they are making the correcdt decisions concerning their health, well-being, and financial security. Patient Advocates are resources that research the patient's unique situation and help both the patient and the family make sound decisions with their own treatment plan.

"Leading Edge", the award winning program with host Jimmy Johnson, recently worked with renowned Patient Advocate Lisa Berry Blackstock of Soul Sherpa ® in an effort to create new content that can help explain the role of a Patient Advocate, and why they are a necessity. Featured in a commercial being broadcast regionally, and in a short-form segment being distributed to Public Television stations nationwide, Soul Sherpa's ® message is instrumental in allowing Leading Edge to educate the public on Patient Advocacy.

A long-form version of the distributed content is available on the Soul Sherpa ® homepage at soulshepa.net.

"Leading Edge" is developed for Public Television, and is not distributed with or through PBS.

For more information, please visit http://www.leadingedgeseries.com.