Let's Talk About Life

Do you know that, according to the CDC, blinding eye diseases affect 80 million Americans? The economic impact of major vision problems among U.S. adults 40 years and older is more than $145 billion each year. Northeast Ohio is rich with institutions that diligently work to improve lives at home and abroad.

Listen to a fascinating conversation with Dr. Onkar Sawant, Director of the Eversight Center for Vision and Eye Banking Research, as he shares the work of the center and the ground-breaking research taking place. 

This year, Lifebanc has been celebrating 35 years of saving and healing lives. If we think about that for a moment, that means hundreds of thousands of lives have been touched by the work of Lifebanc. It’s amazing to look back and stand in awe of all we’ve accomplished.

However, as much fun that would be, to remain successful in our mission, Lifebanc must be focused on year 36 and beyond. re through the legacy of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Lifebanc CEO Gordon Bowen shares some of the challenges and opportunities we face in the coming year, along with an update about the Gift of Life Walk & Run, Over the Edge. and the annual Donor Memorial Service.

Are you ready to be part of a team that saves lives every day? Jodi Baldwin, Lifebanc Human Resource Generalist,joins the podcast to talk about the advantages of being a Lifebanc staff member. She also explains our Top Performer Philosophy that helps us identify individuals who will positively impact the mission as a Lifebanc team member. Lastly, Jodi shares the current job openings available at Lifebanc.

A continuation of the conversation with Michael Lynn, a professional musician and liver transplant recipient. Michael shares what happened when he posted on his Facebook page that he was celebrating the ninth anniversary of his transplant. A colleague at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Robert Walters, and his 11-year-old daughter Saya Walters join the conversation explaining why organ donation is now meaningful to their family.

Michael Lynn is a highly accomplished musician. He is an expert in flute and recorder, a professor at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a devotee of baroque music. He has played with many symphonies and ensembles, including for the inaugural luncheons of both Presidents Obama and Trump. In addition to teaching at the Conservatory, Michael served for a time as the associate dean. However, all that stopped when he was told he would need a liver transplant to live.

Listen as Michael chronicles his journey and the impact of liver disease on his life and career. You’ll want to tune in for next week's episode, when we’ll continue Michael's story and learn how it influenced a colleague, Robert, and his 11-year-old daughter to take action.

The holidays are usually viewed as a time of happiness and rejoicing, but for some people, it can be a period of painful reflection, sadness, anxiety, and depression. Feelings of sadness that last throughout the holiday season, usually from November through December, are often referred to as the holiday blues. But for someone who has lost a loved one, this time period can be more than the holiday blues.

With the available vaccines, the covid restriction aren’t as stringent this year, and people are looking forward to gathering together for the holidays.  However, if there has been a loss of a loved one, there is a potential for very dark holiday season. How does one cope with loss during a time of celebration.  Elissa Berman, the Sr. Bereavement Services Counselor for Lifebanc provides practical advice on how to cope with grief through the holidays.

The first successful cornea transplant was performed in 1945 by Dr. Charles I. Thomson at University Hospitals, but it wasn't until 1958 that Cleveland established a local eye bank. Northeast Ohio has a rich history of service and innovation in supporting those who experience issues with sight. At the center of the eye healthcare community has been the Cleveland Eye Bank Foundation. Once known as the Cleveland Eye Bank, this group is instrumental in ground-breaking achievements that improve and restoresight for thousands of people in northeast Ohio and across the country.

The Cleveland Eye Bank Foundation is celebrating 63 years of service to enable sight through vision research funding, along with professional and community education. Listen as Executive Director Debbie May Johnson discusses their historical accomplishments, exciting future, and mission to fund research projects to accelerate cures for some of the most critical eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma

It goes without saying that things mean more to us when they hit close to home – and that is precisely the experience that the host of Let's Talk About Life, Colleen Gerber had earlier this year. Listeners to the podcast know that Colleen is a kidney transplant recipient – twice. Because of her own experience, she has a passion and deep respect for organ, eye, and tissue donors and understands how they change lives with their gifts. Besides the two kidney donors that have saved her life, the is another extraordinary donor that she holds in high esteem in her heart. That is the cornea donor who gave her husband, Ernie, the gift of sight.

Earlier this year, Ernie Gerber underwent a cornea transplant after suffering from an eye disease since he was in his teens. The procedure changed his eyesight in one day, and now that he is several months post-transplant, Colleen invited him on the podcast to share the journey with you. 

Roy Allen Bumpers first came to know Lifebanc when he participated in the Lifebanc Stepping For Life shows. Roy was part of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and helped make that event a success.

Although Roy knew at the time that he had kidney disease, he lived his life and tried to maintain good health. That worked for years, until an unexpected trip to the hospital revealed he would need to begin dialysis treatments immediately.

We continue our conversation with Roy while he receives a dialysis treatment at the Centers for Dialysis Care in Shaker Heights. Listen as he shares some of the obstacles he overcame and what his hopes are for the future.

Roy-Allen Bumpers was first introduced to organ donation and Lifebanc through participating in the Stepping for Life show. As a member of Alphi Kappa Psi, he and his fraternity brothers work hard to help educate college students and their families about the need for more registered organ donors. Roy had a personal stake in the events because he had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. 

We reconnected with Roy while he was undergoing a dialysis treatment at the Centers for Dialysis Carein Shaker Heights. Listen to part 1 of our candid conversation as Roy talks about being a Lifebanc advocate and his current health challenge.