RTL Group | Cologne/Potsdam, 04/22/2025

‘GZSZ’ & BIÖG Promote Organ And Tissue Donation

A new storyline in the RTL series “Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten” sets an example for education about the topic.

The popular RTL series “Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten” (“GZSZ”) produced by UFA Serial Drama once again highlights a socially relevant topic: organ and tissue donation. In cooperation with the Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit (BIÖG, Federal Institute of Public Health), “GZSZ” brings the topic to the screens of millions of people – emotionally narrated, authentically researched and with a clear message: organ donation can save lives.

And here’s what the series is all about starting with episode 8,258, which will air on RTL on Thursday and is already available on RTL+: In the “GZSZ” episode, little Clara urgently needs a liver donation. A post-mortem donated organ is not available. A living organ donation is necessary. But her biological mother Zoe, played by Lara Dandelion Seibert, is ruled out as a donor. In this existential situation, John, played by Felix von Jascheroff, learns that he is eligible and could help. Will he face up to the responsibility and save his daughter’s life?

“Many people do not know exactly what organ donation and living organ donation in particular means for themselves and others – or they only deal with the topic when they themselves or people around them are affected,” said RTL Executive Producer Christiane Ghosh. With this storyline we want to give food for thought and show how important it is to get educated about the topic.” Katja Bäuerle, Producer of “GZSZ” at UFA Serial Drama, added: “We not only want to touch viewers with this story, but also sensitize them. Organ donation is an important topic that often receives too little attention in society. In cooperation with the Federal Institute of Public Health, we are telling a story that educates and encourages people to think about their own willingness to donate.”

Cooperation with medical specialists

“GZSZ” closely cooperated with medical specialists and the Federal Institute of Public Health to realize the storyline in a realistic and sensitive way, and to educate and inform viewers. The cooperation is not only intended to generate short-term attention, but also to anchor the topic of organ and tissue donation in the minds of RTL viewers in the long term.

Actress Lara Dandelion Seibert said: “This story shows how deeply organ and tissue donation or the question of a living donation affects the lives of those affected – and how important it is to deal with the topic at an early stage because it can save lives. I am very much looking forward to being part of this important storyline.” Her colleague actor Felix von Jascheroff commented: “This story touched me personally as a father when I first read the scripts. I hope that we can encourage people to deal with the topic of organ and tissue donation – because anyone could be in need at some point and then it has to be dealt with and done quickly.”