The Journey Continues

Angelique’s world was turned upside down when doctors told her she had only days to live unless she received a liver transplant. She and her twin sister Angenette knew her story was not going to end in that hospital bed 28 years ago.

August is Minority Organ Donation Awareness Month. For our inaugural episode, we are highlighting the story of organ donor hero Mario Cousins , as told by his mother Emma O’Neal and his grateful heart recipient Pam Morris Walton.  

Kevin Lee is the Chief Organ Operations Office for Mid-America Transplant - the organ procurement organization for Southern Illinois and Missouri. He dispels common myths about organ donation and shares an exciting update about The Family House.    To learn more about Mid-America Transplant, visit  midamericatransplant.org .

When Jeanette Perez heard fellow flight attendant Tonuah Trujillo needed a kidney, she didn’t hesitate to get tested. Now, closer than sisters, Jeannette is running the Chicago Marathon to raise awareness about the need for more living donors.      Learn more about running with Team Kidney at nkfi.org/team-kidney and living donation at nkfi.org/be-a-donor  

Rabbi Andy Bossov learned his kidneys were failing as a result of taking medication for his ulcerative colitis. His friend Karen, a minister, offered to donate one of hers. Now Andy’s using his time to advocate for others with kidney disease and by chairing this year’s Walk for Kidneys.

Through her work at Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network , Marion Shuck helped countless families make the powerful decision to donate their loved ones’ tissue and organs. When her husband of 33 years, Reggie, suddenly passed away, she found herself making that same powerful decision.  

Brian Stiner has always been athletic.  When he was told he’d need a kidney transplant, he turned to sports by way of the Transplant Games to help him stay active, healthy, and positive.  

Chelsie Tamms knew from a young age that kidney disease would be part of her story. As her career as a graphic designer flourished, it also became part of her passion.   To learn more about Chelsie and the Cool Beans project, visit https://www.letteringworks.com/coolbeans For more information about Polycystic Kidney Disease, visit https://pkdcure.org/

Aaron and Tonya Rhoden’s love story is straight out of a Hallmark movie. They were engaged on a mountain in Hawaii and married the very next day. When Aaron was told he needed a kidney transplant, the couple embarked on their hardest climb yet.

Kimberly Gosell has been through more than her fair share of health scares: lupus, kidney failure, three transplants and now brain cancer.  She shares how she handles the continued fight for her life.

Illinois State Senator Christopher Belt shares the shocking way he discovered his kidney disease and how his diagnosis and kidney transplant affect the way he serves the people of Illinois. 

Dr. Tipu Puri , a kidney specialist at UChicago Medicine explains who is at-risk for developing kidney disease, and when, where, and why you should have your kidneys checked.

Jody Wilkey donated a portion of her liver in 2019. When she heard Renee Sample needed a kidney, she didn’t hesitate to volunteer to donate again. But one phone call took them back to square one.

Antonia Jordan and Maranda Proce couldn’t be more different but they now call one another “my closest friend.” Their lives intersected when Antonia’s nephew Chance the Rapper tweeted about his aunt’s need for a kidney donor.  

As the first female, black transplant surgeon in the U.S., Dr. Velma Scantlebury is no stranger to overcoming challenges. She shares her journey from little girl in Barbados to author and world-renowned physician, and what's next for her now that she's retired.

Dawn Williamson is the first smiling face folks see when they step into  Gift of Hope's offices. With her calming presence and bright smile, visitors might never guess that she too is waiting for a life-saving transplant. She chats with Monica about staying positive while she waits. 

Anna Shabelman and her uncle Dave have always been close but their special bond grew even stronger when as an adolescent, Anna was diagnosed with kidney disease.

Diane Hollingsworth is no stranger to organ and tissue donation. Before she worked for National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, she needed a kidney transplant herself. Now she's a VP at Eversight where she helps give people with vision impairments the gift of sight.

Katie Adduci is a nurse, living kidney donor, and mom to kidney kid Max. Nicole duMont is a licensed social worker who has worked with children in all stages of kidney disease and transplantation. Together, they share what a pediatric kidney disease diagnosis looks like for families and ways that loved ones can offer support.

Daronta Briggs is a Gulf War Veteran, kidney transplant recipient, and the CEO of Veterans Transplantation Association . He shares his kidney transplant journey and his decision to support other veterans facing gaps in the healthcare system.

A diagnosis of kidney failure can be frightening to anyone. To a busy nurse and mom like Christine Hernandez , it can turn your whole world upside down. Christine and her son and caretaker Julian share how their family is venturing into the unknown, together.

1 in 3 American adults is at risk for developing chronic kidney disease. Jacqueline Burgess-Bishop , CEO for the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, and Susan Sullivan , kidney recipient and Foundation board member, share ways to take care of your kidney health while making an impact in your community.

Angelique’s world was turned upside down when doctors told her she had only days to live unless she received a liver transplant. She and her twin sister Angenette knew her story was not going to end in that hospital bed 28 years ago.

Dr. Ashutosh Gupta treated patients with kidney disease for more than thirty years. But it was only after retirement that he made the decision to become a living kidney donor. In this episode, he shares his story and walks us through the donation process.

August is Minority Organ Donation Awareness Month. For our inaugural episode, we are highlighting the story of organ donor hero Mario Cousins , as told by his mother Emma O’Neal and his grateful heart recipient Pam Morris Walton.