Let's Talk About Life

When Michael Grabill learned he had liver cancer and would need a transplant, his daughter Beth was by his side for the entire journey.
Beth was also by his side when Michael passed just a couple of years after receiving his transplant.

That's when Beth Grabill decided to change her life - in a big way. Inspired by the level of care her father received, the 35-year-old mom of two went to nursing school. Listen as Beth share's her dad's journey and her career caring for others.

Though Lifebanc’s number one goal every day is to save and heal lives, we are keenly aware that we have an impact on the world far beyond our work in organ, eye, and tissue donation. We’re committed to seeing the bigger picture and being a responsible community partner and good world citizen. How do we do that? By providing opportunities to all,whether they are directly related to our mission or are outside the walls of Lifebanc. We understand that it takes each one of us to create a workplace, a community, and a world that reflect the diversity, equity, and inclusivity that we value so deeply.

Gordon Bowen, Lifebanc CEO, and Jejuana Brown, Director, Equity & Inclusion Programs for the Greater Cleveland Partnership, have a candid conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion (also referred to as DEI.)

Pediatric Transplant Week, and we could think of no better to celebrate than talking to a young recipient about their experience.

When Chase, one of triplet boys was born, his parents Michael and Jodi Del Ferraro, immediatly knew something was wrong because of his deep yellow coloring. Michael recalls Chase's journey and how it felt to receive the call that a liver was available to save his son.

Cody was so excited to become a registered organ, eye, and tissue donor that his mom, Valerie, took a picture of him with his license. Neither of them thought he would honor his decision to be a donor after being in a fatal accident later that day.

Gene Shimandle, the recipient of Cody's heart, was so moved by his gift of life that he set his sights on finishing the Aurora Turkey Trot just six months after the transplant. But what Gene accomplished next to honor Cody and raise awareness for donation was remarkable.

Every April, there is a buzz in the air. Spring is in full swing, the temperatures are warming, and we get the feeling that new growth, new life, and rebirth are all around us. That's why April is perfect for celebrating National Donate Life Month, a time when we nationally recognize the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donors and saving the more than 100,000 lives of the men, women, and children on the transplant waiting list.

Blake Johnston, Marketing and Communications Director, and Chris Crepage, Community Service Program Manager share exciting ideas on how you can celebrate Donate Life Month and help Lifebanc save and heal more lives. One way is to purchase a yard sign and/or t-shirts to show your support to the world.  Order online here

We often say that it takes a village to facilitate the organ donation process from recovery to transplantation. When an individual meets medical criteria for organ donation, and in collaboration with their family, the first steps in the donation process can begin. The Lifebanc care team medically manages that patient until the recovery is complete. The care team consists of critical care professionals, social workers, and physicians who work together to ensure that the precious gifts of life are viable for transplant and as successful as possible for the recipients.

In honor of Doctor's Day today, we spent time with one of our three esteemed physicians who serve as medical directors at Lifebanc. Doctor Samir Latifi, Associate Medical Director, practices Pediatric Critical Care at Cleveland Clinic and discusses his donation background and role with Lifebanc.

As a Cleveland Clinic liver transplant coordinator, Amy McFarlin witnessed the power of donation and transplantation every day. She helped to guide transplant recipients through their routine to keep their new organ functioning as long as possible.

So it was more than ironic that after bloodwork, Amy received a call from her Physician Assistant telling her to go immediately to the ER. Amy was in kidney failure.

The Transplant Games of America (TGA) are festival-style games for individuals who have had an organ, tissue, cornea, or bone-marrow transplant. Living organ donors can participate in the games as well. Donor family members, transplant professionals, and other supporters attend to be a part of the magical celebration of life.

The games were postponed in 2020 and rescheduled for July of this year. Although they won't be in person, Randy Oyaski, northeast manager for Team Ohio, reports on the games' structure for this year and how the tradition of celebrating life given and received will continue.

As Jim Myers went through dialysis and the transplant experience, he noticed a gap in advocacy for kidney patients. Determined to fill that gap, Jim started using his experience and education as an attorney with two MBAs in business and health administration to advocate full-time for proper kidney care; he  specializes in using social media to help fellow renal patients. Listen to a stimulating conversation with a national advocate and learn more about kidney disease.

Happy 35th Anniversary, Lifebanc! It is an opportunity to celebrate the milestone that we have been saving and healing lives for that long. Lifebanc has saved and enhanced the lives of thousands of northeast Ohioans and others from across the country. But none of our accomplishments would have been possible without the generosity of donors and their amazing families. 

When we reflect, it's mind-boggling how many advances have been made in our field, from what can be transplanted to innovative preservation methods and even how organs travel to the transplant center.  Gordon Bowen, Lifebanc CEO, reflects on some of our significant accomplishments, and one of them is making it through 2020.