In this deeply moving episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we welcome Dr. Angelie Roman—a compassionate physician, an immigrant from the Philippines, and now a grateful kidney transplant recipient.

Angelie came to the United States at a young age, driven by a dream to help others. She pursued that dream and became an oncology physician, dedicating her life to healing patients facing some of their toughest battles. But in her 20s, Angelie faced her own unexpected diagnosis—a hereditary condition discovered during a urinary infection that doctors told her would eventually require a kidney transplant.

Fast forward more than 25 years, and Angelie’s journey came full circle when she received the gift of life—a kidney that transformed her future.

Her story is not only one of medical triumph but also a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the incredible generosity of organ donors.

We also continue to honor National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month, celebrated each August. This vital initiative, led by the National Multicultural Action Group, works to promote a positive culture around organ, eye, and tissue donation—particularly in diverse communities that have historically been underrepresented in donation and transplantation.

 Whether you’re a donor, a recipient, a healthcare professional, or simply someone with a heart for others—this episode will leave you inspired and informed.

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Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.

Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

In Episode 67 of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Yesenia Zaragoza — a proud Hispanic woman, a compassionate nurse, and a living kidney donor whose journey is as inspiring as it is impactful.

Yesenia’s story began while working with liver transplant recipients at Tampa General Hospital. Now part of the LifeLink of Florida team, her commitment to saving lives didn’t stop at the hospital doors. One day, while sitting in on a surgery, she overheard a conversation about living kidney donation — including how donors receive top priority if they ever need a kidney themselves. That moment led her to take action.

Motivated by the facts, her compassion, and her culture, Yesenia became a living kidney donor. In this episode, she shares her unique path to donation and how her heritage and profession both play a vital role in her advocacy — especially during National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month.

 Episode 67 is packed with insight, empathy, and a heartfelt call to action for communities of all backgrounds to say “yes” to donation.

 Email: [email protected]

 Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

 Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

 Listen & Share: https://lnk.to/GiftofLife

 If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:

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Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings. Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

Welcome to The Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, where every story beats with hope and every voice makes a difference. I’m your host, BJ Odom.

In this powerful episode, we shine a light on National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month — a time to elevate voices, shatter myths, and inspire communities to say “yes” to life-saving organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Joining us is Erica Clare, Multicultural Communications Relations Coordinator, and a true champion for inclusive awareness and action. Erica shares what this month is all about, how cultural connection plays a vital role in donation advocacy, and what still needs to be done to build trust and bridge the gap in historically underserved communities.

We also dive into common misconceptions, cultural barriers, and how the National Multicultural Action Group is leading the charge in changing lives — one conversation at a time.

 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

Why National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month matters

The impact of representation and culturally aware communication in donation

How we can all take part in building a more inclusive donation culture

The truth behind some of the biggest myths surrounding donation

So grab a cup of coffee, lean in, and join us for a conversation that truly matters.

 Let’s Stay Connected:

 Email: [email protected]

 Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

 Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

 Listen & Share: https://lnk.to/GiftofLife

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 Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating second chances at life.

What inspires someone to donate a kidney to a complete stranger?

For Jeri Gill, it started with a viral YouTube video—a woman surprising her husband with a custom baseball card revealing she was his living kidney donor. That moment planted a powerful seed in Jeri’s heart. She couldn’t shake the thought: Could I do something like this for someone else?

A short while later, a Facebook post caught her eye. A woman was searching for a kidney donor. Jeri felt compelled to learn more… and what she discovered would change not only the life of that woman, but her own life forever.

In this deeply touching episode, Jeri shares her emotional and selfless journey from inspiration to action, from stranger to lifesaver. It’s a testament to the human spirit, the power of connection, and the incredible gift of life.

 A must-listen for anyone who believes in kindness, courage, and the ripple effect of doing good.

 Let’s Stay Connected:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

 Listen & Share: https://lnk.to/GiftofLife

If this story moved you, help us spread the message:

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 Tell your story or thank a donor—every voice makes a difference

Together, we honor donors, celebrate recipients, and inspire hope. Thank you for being part of our life-giving community. 

Chris shares the ups and downs of his journey with heart failure and how the LVAD has given him the strength, energy, and freedom to keep living fully while he awaits a transplant. From connecting deeply with this podcast to inspiring his family and others, Chris reminds us that there’s hope before the transplant too.

 What You’ll Learn:

• How the LVAD works and supports those with heart failure

• Chris’s personal story of resilience, recovery, and joy

• Why he believes the LVAD is his gift of life

• The importance of community, connection, and raising awareness

 Whether you’re a recipient, a caregiver, or just someone who cares, this episode will move and inspire you.

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 Let’s Stay Connected:

 Email: [email protected]

 Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

 Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

 Listen & Share: https://lnk.to/GiftofLife

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Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.

Thank you for being part of our life-giving community. 

In today’s heart-touching episode, we sit down with Kristin Worthen, a devoted mother with an incredible story of courage, faith, and unwavering love. Kristin shares the journey of her amazing son Theo, whose strength and resilience will inspire anyone who hears it.

At Kristin’s final ultrasound before giving birth, she received devastating news—Theo had a severe heart defect. What followed was a long, emotional journey filled with surgeries, hospital stays, prayers, and miracles. After enduring five heart surgeries, Theo’s life was saved by a heart transplant at just 7 years old.

Theo is a true warrior, and Kristin is a shining example of a mother’s love and determination. Don’t miss this powerful story of hope, healing, and the gift of life.

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Let’s Stay Connected:

 Email: [email protected]

 Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

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Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring selfless donors, and celebrating second chances at life.

Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

Today’s story is one of remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and relentless advocacy that lights a fire in all of us within the transplant community.

We are honored to welcome Sierra Hill — a devoted wife, loving mother, passionate mentor, and fearless warrior.

After giving birth to her son, Sierra was diagnosed with severe heart failure due to peripartum cardiomyopathy. Her world shifted overnight, eventually leading to a heart transplant on November 12, 2023. But Sierra’s journey didn’t stop there — she is now facing severe rejection of her donor heart and has already been relisted for a second transplant.

Still, Sierra continues to rise.

She draws strength from her faith, her family, and yes — even her love for makeup — to push forward every day. She serves as a board member of the Georgia Transplant Foundation, mentors others at her transplant hospital, and uses her growing online platform to advocate for organ donation and peripartum cardiomyopathy awareness.

Through every challenge, Sierra’s voice remains strong and full of purpose. She’s on a mission to help others through her journey and unwavering will to survive — and she’s doing exactly that, right here on the show.

 Let’s Stay Connected

 Email: [email protected]

 Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

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 Listen & Share: https://lnk.to/GiftofLife

 If this episode touched your heart, help us keep spreading the message:

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Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring selfless donors, and celebrating second chances at life.

Thank you for being part of our life-giving community. 

In this deeply moving episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we sit down with Stephanie King, the strong and loving mother of 8-year-old Emily, a young girl whose courage has already inspired so many.

Emily’s life has been marked by medical challenges most of us can hardly imagine. At just two years old, she underwent her first double lung transplant. After facing heartbreaking rejection, she would go on to receive a second double lung transplant at only seven years old.

Stephanie shares the highs and lows of their journey — from terrifying hospital stays to small victories and big prayers. This episode is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the gift of organ donation.

 Our thoughts and prayers are with Emily, Stephanie, and their entire family as they continue to face each day with strength and grace.

 Let’s Stay Connected

 Email: [email protected]

 Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

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 If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:

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Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring the heroes behind organ donation, and celebrating second chances at life. Thank you for being part of our life-giving community. 

Let me know if you’d like a social media post, email promo, or quote graphic to match this episode — I’d be happy to create it!

In this moving episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Patches Rich, a loving mother whose heart journey began around the birth of one of her children. Doctors urged her to undergo a cesarean due to heart concerns, but life moved forward — regular cardiologist visits showed no major red flags.

That all changed years later.

Patches learned her heart was enlarged and her ejection fraction had dropped dangerously low. Her life suddenly took a turn — and if you’ve listened to this podcast before, you know where this road leads.

 After months of testing and declining health, Patches was told she needed a life-saving heart transplant. For six long months, she lived in the hospital ICU — away from her young son, who was too young to visit. But the story doesn’t end there…

 With determination, strength, and the gift of life, Patches received a new heart. Her return home was met with tears, hugs, and one of the most powerful moments of her life: being embraced by her son and her other children.

This is more than a story of survival — it’s a story of motherhood, sacrifice, and hope. Patches reminds us all of the power of family, love, and second chances.

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 Let’s Stay Connected:

 Email: [email protected]

 Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

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Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.

Thank you for being part of our life-giving community. 

In this powerful and emotional episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Mindy Wilson, devoted mother to 6-year-old Wilson Perry. What began as a simple lung infection turned into a life-altering journey spanning over a year, involving three different hospitals. Now, young Wilson is at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, bravely awaiting a life-saving lung transplant.

This is not just a story about illness—it’s about hope, resilience, and a mother’s unbreakable love. Mindy shares the ups and downs of their medical odyssey, the emotional toll, and the strength they’ve found through faith, community, and each other.

 If you’re a parent, this episode will touch your heart deeply. You’ll likely find yourself hugging your children just a little tighter after hearing Wilson’s story.

 Let’s all send love, prayers, and good energy that the call for lungs will come soon for this brave little boy.

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 Connect with Us

• Podcast Link: https://lnk.to/GiftofLife

• Email: [email protected]

 If this episode touched your heart, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us spread awareness and share more stories like Wilson’s that inspire and bring hope.

Thank you for listening—and for being part of the Gift of Life family.