The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: We are getting you ready for the 2024 Transplant Games of America and TGA's inaugural Film Festival in Birmingham by welcoming previous guests Bill Ryan and Robert Horsey. Bill is President and CEO of the Transplant Games of America, and Robert is the Writer and Executive Producer of Gifted: The Docuseries . They catch us up by sharing their connections to the donation and transplantat...

Show Notes: We sit down with Mark Fenrich , who's faced a lifelong battle with kidney disease, undergoing a remarkable journey with a total of four kidney transplants from four different members of his family. Mark's inspiring story has captivated national media, and showcases the incredible impact of living kidney donation . Following our conversation with Mark, we answer one of your questions ab...

Show Notes: In this episode, we’re joined by The Houston Gamer , Willie Jefferson, who's an avid gamer, popular YouTube vlogger , journalist, minister, and a grateful kidney recipient. Willie shares his journey with our hosts by detailing his illness, insights into his dialysis treatments and his life saving transplant. He reveals the reason behind naming his new donor kidney "Miracle." In our Men...

Show Notes: In this pivotal episode, Kelli McQuesten, a Community Outreach Coordinator at Lifeline of Ohio , channels her personal tragedy into a powerful call for change. She tragically lost her husband, Matthew , due to not receiving a heart transplant in time. Motivated by her family's heart-wrenching experience of waiting in vain for a life-saving organ donation and the subsequent loss of her...

Show Notes: We are discussing the Fais Do-Donate , an upcoming fundraiser to benefit the LOPA Foundation aimed at celebrating the gift of life on a Louisiana Saturday night. Wendy Lipsey, a LOPA Foundation Board Member and grateful transplant recipient, joins our podcast to share her transplantation journey and shed light on the activities lined up for the Fais Do-Donate which will be held April 2...

Show Notes: Presenting " Gifted: The Docuseries ," a compelling and uplifting exploration of organ donation and transplantation. Delve into the genesis of this inspirational series with author and filmmaker, Robert Horsey, as we journey alongside donor mom Jody Miller. Through Jody's poignant experience, we witness how her daughter, Heather, became a life-saving hero through the gift of donation....

Show Notes: Leah Veck, grandmother to the donor hero Aliye Ringe, transformed her grief into action by delivering impassioned testimony before a Louisiana Legislative Committee. Thanks to Leah's tireless advocacy, Aliye's Law HB 289 was enacted in July 2023, guaranteeing that all Louisiana high school students receive education on organ, tissue, eye, and bone marrow donation. Discover the profound...

Show Notes: We partner with Ashley Rodrigue, the Public Affairs Director for the State Fire Marshal's Office , to share life-saving fire safety tips. Learn about Louisiana's new carbon monoxide law, the Operation Save-A-Life program , and crucial measures to ensure your home and family are safe. In our Mental Health Moment, we discuss tips for prioritizing mental health and using tools such as tho...

Show Notes: Dive into the exploration of grief with Patricia Cameron , an author and donor wife, who shares her journey after her husband's sudden passing at 45. In her book, Grief Unwrapped , Patricia confronts the burning question many face in the wake of loss: "Can I find joy again?" Discover her empowering insights on transitioning from mere survival to “thrive-al” mode. Plus, in our Mental He...

Show Notes: Join us as we warmly welcome Tony Lucero , an avid listener and grateful liver recipient, to share his remarkable transplantation journey. Tony's powerful story sheds light on the many faceted connections made in the organ donation process. Our mental health moment takes a reflective turn as we discuss the importance of slowing down in a world that often seems to move at an overwhelmin...

Show Notes: In this podcast episode, we delve into the impactful work of Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA National) , an organization empowering students to drive organ donation advocacy on their high school or college campuses. Program Director, Nicole Nidea , provides an insightful update on SODA's outreach initiatives since our previous discussions in episodes 119 and 198 . Join us as we...

Show Notes: Dr. Crystal Glover and Ryan Johnson of The Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (RADC) , join us to discuss the importance of brain donation in understanding and treating Alzheimer's disease. Brain donation provides a definite diagnosis for families to help identify any hereditary issues and risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It also supports research about the c...

Show Notes: A listener turns into a guest on The Gifted Life Podcast. Pam Dworetz-Sofarelli wrote Wyatt's Wish , inspired by the gift of donation. Her book is geared towards young children with family and friends who are journeying through the organ donation process. Learn how Pam utilizes gentle storytelling to lead Wyatt to a very unexpected life lesson in loss and compassion. In our Mental Heal...

Show Notes: In this episode, we talk about infants and how to ensure a safe sleep environment. Chris Knoblauch, Director of Education/Community Outreach with St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office, and Sara Dickenson, Maternal Child Health Coordinator Supervisor with the Bureau of Family Health, join us to give valuable but simple tips for learning about safe sleep for infants, featuring Partners for...

Show Notes: Heather Broussard, a mother on a mission, is dedicated to spreading awareness about water safety in the wake of the tragic loss of her 17-month-old daughter, Mazie. Transforming their family's heartbreak into a beacon of hope, they founded Mazie's Mission , an organization committed to promoting water safety. Heather not only recounts her personal journey but also emphasizes the import...

Show Notes: We have a big bunch of friends in the studio to talk about Ava's Wish, a new book available now . The book is an inspired guide to help children understand the gift of organ and tissue donation. This book was written in honor of Ava Grace, who, following kindergarten graduation, became a "helper angel" at just 6-years-old and saved lives. Ava's family along with the authors and collabo...

Show Notes: Community partners, Kristen Sanderson with the Louisiana Office of Public Health and Chris Knoblauch with the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office, join us in the studio to share important tips for maintaining safety while operating an ATV/UTV. Learn the ins and outs of the equipment and safety precautions families can take when enjoying these popular outdoor recreational vehicles, alon...

Show Notes: Have you ever wondered how many people's lives can change in a matter of minutes? That's the guiding question for the book 17 Again, A Story of Life After Life , which is inspired by real-life events that occurred 30 years ago. At 17, Andrea Boullt , became a donor saving 6 lives following a tragic accident. Now, her sister and the book's author, Lisa Boullt, joins the podcast to discu...

Show Notes: We welcome back Kevin Caldwell from Ossium Health , who was previously featured on episode #114 , to reveal groundbreaking developments in the realm of bone marrow research and transplantation. Prepare to be amazed as we delve into Ossium's cutting-edge research, showcasing remarkable advancements in the preservation of bone marrow over extended periods, and explore the profound implic...

Show Notes: Children are naturally curious, and they have a unique ability to empathize and understand complex concepts when presented in a clear and simple manner. In this episode, we welcome Madeline Pawloski, author of The Gift: A Children's Book About "The Gift" of Organ Donation . Madeline delicately introduces the topic in a kid-friendly way that focuses on the generosity of organ donation....

Show Notes: This episode’s guest is heart recipient, Ryan Gallet , who hails from the heart of Cajun Country. Ryan, who is 48 years old, had a massive heart attack at the age of 30 due to a 100% blockage. About 3 years later, Ryan learned his heart only had 10% function and he needed a new heart to live. Now, he shares his story to inspire more people to register to give the gift of life . In our...

Show Notes: As we continue our conversation with Dr. Anji Wall , Abdominal Transplant Surgeon and Bioethicist at Baylor, Scott and White Health in Dallas, we delve into the legal and ethical aspects of Normothermic Regional Perfusion ( NRP ), a revolutionary advancement in organ recovery and transplantation. One of the critical issues surrounding NRP is the definition of death. As medical technolo...

Show Notes: Welcome to a special two-part series on Normothermic Regional Perfusion ( NRP )! We have a true pioneer and expert in the field of transplantation joining us. Dr. Anji Wall , Abdominal Transplant Surgeon and Bioethicist at Baylor, Scott and White Health in Dallas, will be sharing with us the groundbreaking advancements in organ recovery and transplantation through the use of NRP in don...

Show Notes: We welcome Dr. Ray Tucker, with the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center to discuss the Traumatic Loss Support Program and how its structure helps support families going through a sudden loss such as suicide. Learn key details about the program, statistics and gain takeaways to apply to your own life. Then in our Mental Health Moment we offer tips for coping when new things are happe...

Show Notes: We welcome Analy Navarro , a mom who gave life twice. Analy's daughter was born with Biliary Atresia, a rare liver disease that affects 1 in every 12,000 infants worldwide. Analy's act of donation, along with her children's book, Mighty Me , showcases her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. She continues to promote hope, education and research for Biliary...