Let's Talk About Life

Saving and healing lives is the mission of Lifebanc, even in a pandemic.  Gordon Bowen, Lifebanc CEO, explains how our staff rises to the challenge of finding ways to save those waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. He also shares how COVID-19 has impacted our community outreach and events schedule for 2020,

April is National Donate Life Month and we are honoring the gift of life.  It may look a little different, but now that we are at home, there are numerous ways that we can share the donate life message with family, friends, and neighbors. Listen as Gordon Bowen, Lifebanc CEO, shares several ideas for making an impact right where you are and to continue the mission of saving & healing lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation.

To inspire you to celebrate Donate Life Month from home, we created a bingo card with ideas and suggestions. Download a printable copy for you and your family to honor organ, eye and tissue donors, transplant recipients and all those on the national organ waiting list.

In the community, the #1 myth people share with us is that Doctors won't try and save their life if they are a registered organ donor. This myth has been around since organ donation began. Take ten minutes to listen to two experts from Lifebanc explain the donation process and why it just isn't so.

In the darkest moments in their lives, donor families are asked to put their grief aside for the opportunity to help other's live. The Lifebanc Family Support Liaison works with these families and guides them through the donation process and saving the lives of those on the organ waitlist.  Listen to learn how these men and women work with compassion in tragedy.

Meetings between donor families and recipients of their loved one's gifts of life are emotional and heartwarming. However, many families never meet or even correspond. Listen to Lifebanc Bereavement Services staff members explain the process and answer questions about families communicating after donation.

Dedicated staff members makes Lifebanc the success organization it is today. With experts in multiple disciplines, we turn tragedy into hope and healing.  Every day, the Lifebanc team has the opportunity to change lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. The mission is not an easy one and today we are asking, what does it take to save lives for a living?

The national waiting list for an organ transplant is more than 112,600 men, women and children with a staggering 102,865 of those individuals waiting for a kidney transplant.  March is Kidney Health Awareness and Gordon Bowen plays host to find out why kidney health is so important.

Why would Cleveland’s Chocolatier, Mike Malley, rappel down the side of a building? Listen now to learn Mike's connection with Lifebanc and why it was important for him to go Over The Edge. Jillian Frazier of Lifebanc, discusses how this unique event helps Lifebanc and promotes organ, eye and tissue donation.

At Lifebanc, we say we save and heal lives which we do everyday. But what about the lives of the donor families? How do we help heal them after their loved one gave the gift of life? Learn what services Lifebanc provides from staff member Elissa Berman, the Sr. Bereavement Services Counselor.

It’s only the second month of the year, yet February if filled with national and traditional celebrations.  It is the month of heart health, and Valentine’s Day on the 14th - which is also National Donor Day – honoring those who have given the gift of life.   We also recognize and honor black history and culture. 

The show today is about honoring those who made personal history by leaving a legacy of life. Jacques Smith, Program Manager of the Black American Counsel at Cuyahoga Community College talks about his work, transplant experience and his own history.