The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: We have a round of special in-studio guests and even a guest host in Episode 40 of The Gifted Life Podcast. Kirsten Heintz takes hold of the microphone to join Joey and Sally for this episode where AATB, American Association of Tissue Banks , delegates have teamed up with The Gifted Life crew to provide remarkable stories about the healing power of tissue donation. First we welcome Eri...

Show Notes: Episode 39 of The Gifted Life Podcast takes us on a journey back to the 2016 Transplant Games of America in Cleveland. The podcast team shares stories and interviews from the trip. We hear from Marilyn with Lifeline of Ohio . Learn about what the games have done to boost donation awareness and registrations for Ohio. Then Lori talks to Mrs. Peanut, a mascot for Team Georgia ! Mrs. Pean...

Show Notes: Episode 38 of The Gifted Life Podcast opens with a series of guests that take us on a virtual journey to a new interactive and digital Silent Heroes Wall within Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center . Find out how the project began, listen to a description of the wall, and hear from one mother who visits often. Her son is a hero honored on the wall. Then we hear about a little H...

Show Notes: Episode 37 of The Gifted Life tells you how to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor in a new way, what its like to have 30 years of life after transplant, and what it takes to help a child overcome grief. First, our hosts welcome Donate Life America President and CEO, David Fleming, to discuss an amazing new donor registration option coming to the iPhone! Learn how iPhone users,...

Show Notes: On episode 36 of The Gifted Life we take you on a virtual podcast journey to Mississippi! We are always learning from our partners throughout the nation. In this episode, we have a discussion with Kevin Stump. Kevin is the CEO of MORA, the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency . From a new building to continued education, learn all the wonderful ways MORA is working to save and heal more l...

Show Notes: Episode 35 of The Gifted Life Podcast shines a spotlight on 2 national observances that focus on the need for more registered organ, eye and tissue donors in all communities. Our hosts first welcome Amanda Hollowell. She tells us about AMAT, the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation . ECHO, an acronym for Every Community Has Opportunity , and the 20th anniversary of...

Show Notes: In episode 34 of The Gifted Life podcast, our crew takes you on a journey back to June of 2016 for the Transplant Games of America. The games took place in Cleveland, Ohio. Hear remarkable stories from several Team Louisiana athletes! Lori chats with a couple of dynamic recipient dancers, a bowler, a basketball player, and a runner with her donor’s family. These are some of the great s...

Show Notes: Episode 33 of The Gifted Life Podcast opens with a guest who has a very special story and talent, heart recipient Charles Henderson. Hear about how he came to know his Hero, David “Dudu” Cologne. When he serenades our hosts, smiles erupt! Another recipient joins us, guest Tanya Smith. She tells us how the Gift from a tissue donor changed her life forever. Sally focuses on another form...

Show Notes: Episode 32 of The Gifted Life begins by celebrating the 2016 Transplant Games of America! Joey, Lori and Sally welcome Lifebanc CEO, Gordon Bowen, and talk with him about the excitement surrounding the games in Cleveland. Then, an in-studio visit by athletes bound for Cleveland! Team Louisiana co-captain and Olympic Gold Medalist, Kim Black, plus athletes Tyrone Cooper and Warren Whitt...

Show Notes: In episode 31, The Gifted Life is sharing how stories about the power of organ, tissue, and eye donation reach communities in unique ways. Our hosts first welcome LSU graduate, Kaitlyn King. Kaitlyn was a member of 225 Communications in an LSU marketing class. Hear how the group plastered their campus with information and facts to register more donors! Sally, Joey and Lori also speak w...

Show Notes: In episode 30 we have a special in-studio guest, a recipient tells her story and more! First up, we welcome Elling Eidbo, CEO of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) . Hear all about AOPO’s beginnings, standards, advocacy and how they assist Organ Procurement Organizations throughout the nation. It’s all part of AOPO’s mission and vision. Sally then introduces us t...

Show Notes: It’s episode 29 of The Gifted Life podcast! Joey, Lori and Sally round out the celebration of National Donate Life Month . From April 1st through the 31st every state in the USA celebrates the Gift of Life. Listen to this “best of” episode covering National Donate Life Month with a series of sound bites. The Gifted Life team visited multiple Donate Life flag raising ceremonies, the Don...

Show Notes: It’s National Blue and Green Day, and episode 28 of The Gifted Life podcast continues to celebrate National Donate Life Month. Need ideas for going blue and green today? Joey, Lori and Sally have some creative ways for you to show off blue and green, and maybe even win a prize! Then, Jessica Roth with LifeGift in Texas shares a family’s amazing story about both a new life, and giving t...

Show Notes: Episode 27 of The Gifted Life podcast kicks off National Donate Life Month! In April, we honor donor heroes, their families and the lives saved by those generous donors. Our hosts are joined by Melissa DeVenny from Donate Life America to talk about the work their agency does throughout the nation, National Blue and Green Day and how the beautiful sunflower is this year’s beacon for Don...

Show Notes: Episode 26 of The Gifted Life podcast continues to focus on National Eye Donor Month . Our hosts are joined by Billy Buras, Executive Director of the Southern Eye Bank . Hear about Southern Eye Bank’s annual event to honor cornea donors and their families during this national observance. What do you say to yourself? Sally talks about ways to enhance your inner positivity in the Family...

Show Notes: Episode 25 of The Gifted Life podcast: It's our 25th episode! Joey, Lori and Sally reminisce about past episodes, the amazing guests, and how the podcast has grown to reach individuals across the globe. Plus, it is National Eye Donor Month ! Our hosts let you listen in on a conversation they had with the Eye Bank Association of America’s President & CEO, Kevin Corcoran. Learn more abou...

Show Notes: Episode 24 of The Gifted Life podcast launches with a focus on quality performance in organ and tissue recovery. Joey and Lori welcome guest, Dean Kappel, CEO at Mid-America Transplant Services . Dean talks about MTS and the organization’s journey to earning the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award . Family Support expert, Sally Gentry, concludes the three-part series on suicide as...

Show Notes: In episode 23 of The Gifted Life podcast, Joey and Lori begin with an interesting news story about a very popular mobile app that is allowing users to swipe and register to save a life. Community Educator, Lana Stevens, joins us in the studio to talk about the Marsh Mad Dash for Life , and how much fun you can have by signing up to take part. Our family support expert, Sally Gentry, co...

Show Notes: In episode 22 of The Gifted Life podcast, Joey and Lori are excited to welcome director Ty Manns. He is a movie-making partner of Donate Life America. His movie is The Wish - A Story of Hope, Faith and Generosity . The Wish is a beautiful love story that educates about organ donation. You can learn more about the movie and where you’ll be able watch it this year. Family services coordi...

Show Notes: Episode 21 of The Gifted Life podcast includes a treat for all of our listeners! Our LSU student advocates for donation become our guest hosts! These award-winning students are members of Core Communications, a student run marketing firm at LSU. Lori welcomes you all and then Dominique, Alex, and Savannah grab the microphones to talk about their experiences in learning and promoting do...

Show Notes: A very special day for us because this is episode 20 of The Gifted Life podcast! In this holiday episode you’ll hear from LOPA’s CEO, Kelly Ranum. She’ll reflect with Lori and Joey on LOPA’s donation milestones and her career. Then our hosts are talking about coping with grief during the holidays with Sally, and she has some great insights for all listeners. Christen Roberts, Donate Li...

Show Notes: In episode 19 of The Gifted Life you can hear why a high school held a fundraiser, which agency ensures safety in tissue donation, who is a special honoree in a national parade, and how to deal with grief. First, Lori tells Joey how and why Dutchtown High School raises funds to support our Donate Life education efforts. Then our hosts welcome Jason LoVerdi from AATB, American Associati...

Show Notes: In episode 18 you get to hear families giving thanks to Heroes in this holiday episode of The Gifted Life. This is a very special episode filled with deeply personal testimonials from families directly connected to organ, eye and tissue donation. But first, Lori and Joey welcome Sally Gentry from LOPA family services so she can tell you how to get connected with assistance if needed du...

Show Notes: Episode 17 of The Gifted Life is where you can learn about some of the amazing breakthroughs in tissue donation. Hear how skin donations are making a difference in the healing process for diabetics and breast cancer patients when guest, Kent Bockes, joins Lori and Joey. National Donor Sabbath is an annual weekend observance in November where faith-based organizations can spread the wor...

Show Notes: On this episode, number 16, of The Gifted Life, Joey and Lori are chatting about a very special milestone and saving sight with Jamie Collier of the Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank . After, our hosts talk to racer, Kenton Koch . He’s a winner on the track and has a special reason why he is a champion for organ, eye and tissue donation. Robyn Doiron is our honored donor hero, and your que...