(15 Aug 1994) Story No. 14
MICHAEL JACKSON PAYS TO SAVE DYING BOY
Budapest, Hungary natsot Duration: 1.30"
American superstar Michael Jackson is to pay all the medical
expenses of a four-year-old Hungarian boy who needs a liver
transplant. Jackson, in Budapest to film a video clip promoting
his next album, got an interpreter to relay a prepared message,
while visiting the city's Bethesda Hospital. He first saw Bela Farkas, who has been hospitalised since birth, and appeared moved by the child's condition. Bela, nicknamed "the little green kid" by Hungarian journalists, suffers a congenital liver disease that discolours his skin and will kill him unless he receives a liver transplant.
Jackson and his new wife Lisa Marie Presley were distributing toys
to local hospitals when they came across Bela. It was the couple's
first public appearance together since Lisa Marie, the daughter of
rock legend Elvis Presley, announced a week earlier that they had
wed in secret in the Dominican Republic earlier in the year.
Jackson, who suffered serious credibility and financial losses
through unproved allegations of child abuse, appeared to have
vetoed all public associations with small children, even
disappointing four terminally-ill German youngsters who had been
brought to the United States for an agreed rendezvous with him.
But little Bela proved the exception.
SHOWS:
(BUDAPEST, HUNGARY) Jackson and wife Lisa-Marie standing at
entrance to hospital. Two-shot Jackson and Lisa-Marie. Couple
standing with Hungarian midget performer who wears top hat.
Hospital staff emerge. Couple standing together as interpreter
translates into Hungarian a statement about the liver transplant
funding. Pan to Jackson smiling. CU Lisa-Marie and Jackson holding
hands. Tilt-up to Jackson and Lisa-Marie. She whispers into his
ear. CU photograph of sick 4-year-old boy Bela. Jackson stands,
not answering question as to why he is trying to help the child,
then he waves goodbye.

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