Let's Talk Hope

“On Christmas Eve, I got a letter from a tissue recipient...he would not be able to walk again without her," says Jaquel as she talks about her daughter DeNae, a young athlete who left a legacy as an organ & tissue donor. Listen to Jaquel’s story of navigating loss and finding hope and healing on this episode of Let’s Talk Hope.

Kidney disease is one of the leading causes for kidney failure and the need for transplant, and is especially prevalent in communities of color. State Senator Mattie Hunter and Nephrologist Dr. Kalyani Perumal—who both witnessed family members struggling with kidney disease—are members of the Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force. Creating a positive culture around disease prevention is at the forefront of their work to bring awareness and education to African American and Latino communities.

“When I found out that no one in this country believed that an impact could be made and that we could change minds, I took it to heart.” On this episode of Let’s Talk Hope, Jack Lynch, former Senior Advisor at Gift of Hope, reflects on his triumphant 35-year career in the field of organ & tissue donation, and how “getting into good trouble” led him to changing the public perception of donation.  

For two-and-a-half years Alicia Stewart wasn’t able to work or take care of her son. She was undergoing kidney dialysis due to complications caused by Type 1 diabetes. This double transplant recipient shares how she overcame her own misconceptions about donation to become an organ & tissue donation advocate, and her experience connecting with her donor’s family.

The most inspiring conversations of 2022 are brought together for one powerful episode. Hear from transplant recipients and families of organ & tissue donors about their life changing experiences with donation. Stay tuned for a new season of Let’s Talk Hope starting on October 25, 2023.

Christine Ho received the call one day that any wife dreads: Her husband was in an accident. Hear what happens next as Chicago Police Officer Jonathan Ho ultimately saves lives, through the family’s experience with organ and tissue donation.

Police officer Mark wondered if he’d ever be able to roller skate again. He’d waited for a liver transplant for nearly a decade. With less than three days left to live Mark received a life-saving donation. Now, he reflects on his journey to health and shares his story to help spread awareness about organ donation among minority communities. 

When Police Officer Tommy Butts needed a kidney transplant, his wife Sarah took to social media to find a donor. It didn’t come in time for Tommy. But Sarah’s outreach motivated a state trooper hundreds of miles away to become a donor. She inspired one person—now she wants to inspire 100. 

Sarah shares what it was like through Tommy’s diagnosis and dialysis, the wait, his death, his own organ & tissue donation, and what gets her out of bed every morning: the chance to encourage someone to say yes to donation.

“I’m not gonna live the rest of my life like this.” Debilitating back pain plagued Chicago CEO Tiffany Mathis for years, until spinal surgery using a donor’s bone tissue. She talks about how she took charge of her care to get there, the challenges facing Black and Brown communities, and the need to talk more about organ and tissue donation. 

When Police Officer Tommy Butts needed a kidney transplant, his wife Sarah took to social media to find a donor. It didn’t come in time for Tommy. But Sarah’s outreach motivated a state trooper hundreds of miles away to become a donor. She inspired one person—now she wants to inspire 100. 

Sarah shares what it was like through Tommy’s diagnosis and dialysis, the wait, his death, his own organ & tissue donation, and what gets her out of bed every morning: the chance to encourage someone to say yes to donation.