Let's Talk About Life

As spring approaches, we welcome wedding bells and brides choosing their extraordinary dresses. We’re so excited to be a part of Jacqueline’s Bridal “Wedding Rewind” and grateful to be the beneficiary of this fundraiser. But what’s the connection between donation and wedding dresses, you ask? Listen to the Bonilla family’s story to discover how the staff at University Hospitals Medical Center and a donor hero changed their lives forever.

Amber Bonilla provided an update that only four tables are available for the event. Purchase tickets before the Wedding Rewind sells out – a fun way to support the mission of Lifebanc!

Individuals from all over the country come to Cleveland seeking medical care, including organ transplantation. When you’re in a strange city, the transplant journey can be especially overwhelming.

Transplant House of Cleveland provides a home-away-from-home for patients in the evaluation process for transplant, on the waiting list, and post-transplant. Annette Humberson, LISW at Transplant House, shares why it is so much more than a place to sleep. You will also hear from a guest, Katelyn Lambert, staying at Transplant House while waiting for an intestinal transplant.

For Chris Klug, skateboarding and snowboarding were a way of life and something he loved since he was young. He quickly discovered that he excelled at the new sport of competitive snowboarding. Chris won eleven National Champion titles, five world cup championships and realized every athlete’s dream when he participated in the 1998 Olympics! You can understand why, then, Chris could hardly believe his ears when the doctors at his routine physical explained that he had a liver disease and would eventually need a transplant. Enjoy an engaging conversation with this three-Olympian as he shares his journey of competing after a liver transplant, winning a bronze medal, and meeting his donor’s family the next day.

At only 15 years old, Candice Monroe was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and placed on the heart transplant waiting list. Her condition was dire as she waited at the Cleveland Clinic. 
 
Chuck Roberts and his family lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a few hundred miles away. When he received devasting news that his 15-year-old daughter, Alicia, had a tragic accident, Chuck’s other daughter shared that Alicia had wanted to be an organ donor. Chuck felt relief knowing that Alicia had made this important decision and that something good would come out of this tragedy.

Now 20 years later, Candice and Chuck reminisce about meeting each other and how the gift of life has kept the spirit of Alicia alive.

This week, host Colleen Gerber visits with one of our newer staff members, Dena Balk, Bereavement Coordinator & Counselor. Dena had big shoes to fill when she began at Lifebanc last fall, but she’s a perfect fit, and the new skills she brings are enhancing services to donor families. Dena also shares her very personal connection to our mission and why she is driven to give back and serve our families. You won’t want to miss a word of her story!

Join host Colleen Gerber for the last podcast of the year as she revisits memorable conversations and special guests from 2021. We look forward to 2022 and continuing to save lives is the reason for a third season of Let's Talk About Life, although some changes will occur, as announced in this episode.