#BeTheGift Connections

There's no better time than May to share stories of donor mothers and their incredible strength on #BeTheGift Connections. On this week's segment, Rowen Smith joins us to share the story of her 25-year-old son, RJ, who saved two lives as a donor hero following a tragic motor scooter accident.

In honor of Mother's Day, we're sharing stories of donor mothers and their incredible strength on #BeTheGift Connections. Julia Henry's son, Mason, was only 21-years-old when he died unexpectedly. Because he was a registered donor, Mason was able to save and improve the lives of many. 💙💚 Julia joins us to share what Mason's selfless legacy means to her as a donor mother.

We're celebrating the lifesaving power of organ, eye and tissue donation during Donate Life Month on #BeTheGift Connections! In this episode, we're joined by Kaden Woodard, who is currently waiting for a liver transplant, and his parents, April and Rob Ergenbright, as they share how they remain resilient during their transplant journey.

We're celebrating the lifesaving power of organ, eye and tissue donation during Donate Life Month on #BeTheGift Connections! In this segment, we'll hear from Vonnie and Autumn Stone as they share the special story of how Vonnie gave her two-year-old daughter a lifesaving gift through kidney donation.

In honor of National Kidney Month, we're sharing a special story about living donation on this week's #BeTheGift Connections! Diagnosed with kidney disease in late 2021, John Lowe was on dialysis by early 2022 as he waited for a lifesaving transplant. Fortunately, Amy Martinez, a family friend, made the selfless decision to save John's life as a living donor!

We're celebrating National Kidney Month on #BeTheGift Connections! Memphis native Gay Hannah joins us to share how faith guided her through her lifesaving kidney transplant journey.

We're back with another heartfelt story on #BeTheGift Connections! Bill Forsythe joins us to share how a series of miracles led to him receiving his lifesaving heart transplant in 2016.

We couldn't let February go by without featuring inspiring stories from the heart on #BeTheGift Connections! In this segment, we'll hear from Rescue Doc Films co-founder Josh Gildrie as he shares how his heart transplant journey in 2022 gave him a second chance at life.

We're wrapping up our community organization spotlights with Mid South Liver Alliance on #BeTheGift Connections! Mid South Liver Alliance Executive Director Teresa Davidson joins us to share how her organization provides community-based support with education, transportation and advocacy for those with liver disease.

We're back to highlight another community organization working to save and improve lives on #BeTheGift Connections! The Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Executive Director Heather Melton joins us to share how the organization has provided assistance to those affected by kidney disease in the Chattanooga, TN, area since 1989!

We're excited to kick off another year of #BeTheGift Connections by highlighting community organizations who are also working to save and improve lives! On this episode, we'll hear from Brooke Katz, Media Relations Coordinator for Blood Assurance, as she shares about the lifesaving gift of blood donation and the urgent need for blood donors.

It's time for our final episode of #BeTheGift Connections for 2024! Jessica Finger and Heather Bruggink's father, John Shaver, was diagnosed with ALS six years before he passed away in July 2023, but his disease did not prevent him from saving lives as a donor hero. Join us as Jessica and Heather share more about their father's legacy and how they cope with his absence during the holiday season.

We're celebrating the season of giving all month long on #BeTheGift Connections! As a three-time heart transplant recipient, Travis Marcus is no stranger to the lifesaving impact of donation. Join us as he takes us through his inspirational journey of being a three-time recipient of the gift of life.

We're celebrating the season of giving all month long on #BeTheGift Connections! On this episode, we'll hear from Reese Pagano, a two-time kidney recipient, who received both of her transplants from generous co-workers through living donation!

We're celebrating faith and gratitude during National Donor Sabbath on #BeTheGift Connections! We'll hear from Vicki Geist, a kidney recipient and co-owner of Cedar Springs Christian Stores, as she shares how polycystic kidney disease has impacted her family and how faith played a vital role in her transplant journey.

It's not often that a family experiences donation from a donor family and recipient point of view within a few days. Luther Davis was blessed to receive a lifesaving kidney transplant from his son, Nathan, after he became a donor hero following a fatal car accident. On this installment of #BeTheGift Connections, we'll hear from Luther and his wife, Julia, as they share an extraordinary story of lo...

Will McKamey was a freshman at the United States Naval Academy and a member of the Naval Academy football team when he saved lives as a donor hero in 2014. On this episode of #BeTheGift Connections, we'll hear from Will's parents, Randy and Kara McKamey, as they share how their son's selfless legacy lives on.

We're celebrating National Liver Awareness Month on #BeTheGift Connections! We'll hear how two families developed an unbreakable bond through the gift of life. Harry Dillon received his lifesaving liver transplant from Tom Best, a donor hero. Harry has since connected with Tom's family, including his wife, Sue Best, his sister, Laura Walker, and his daughter, Shannon Michaels.

We're celebrating Minority Donor Awareness Month on #BeTheGift Connections! We'll hear from Sean and Wendy Mercer as they share their experience navigating Sean's cornea transplant and recovery.

We're celebrating Minority/Multicultural Donor Awareness Month on #BeTheGift Connections! Join the program to hear from Evelyn Henning, a kidney recipient who championed her transplant journey with faith and hope.

#BeTheGift Connections is coming to you LIVE from the 2024 Transplant Games in Birmingham to share stories from members of Team Tennessee and other competing athletes! Our final interview is with Adrian Bowers, a kidney recipient who helped Team Tennessee win the Gold for Team Golf.

#BeTheGift Connections is coming to you LIVE from the 2024 Transplant Games in Birmingham to share stories from members of Team Tennessee and other competing athletes! Our next interview is with Debra and David Kitts, a donor family whose 17-year-old son, Dustin, became a donor hero in 2000.

#BeTheGift Connections is coming to you LIVE from the 2024 Transplant Games in Birmingham to share stories from members of Team Tennessee and other competing athletes! We spoke with Katie Lea, a living kidney donor, about her decision to give the gift of life to a stranger through living donation.

#BeTheGift Connections is coming to you LIVE from the 2024 Transplant Games in Birmingham to share stories from members of Team Tennessee and other competing athletes! Our next guest is Angela Culp, a kidney recipient and nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

#BeTheGift Connections is coming to you LIVE from the 2024 Transplant Games in Birmingham to share stories from members of Team Tennessee and other competing athletes! Our next guest is Phillip Harris, a liver recipient who is competing on Team Alabama.