The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: We welcome Nelson Ballard with Sharing Miracles to learn about donated birth tissue and how these gifts are used to aid in wound healing advancements and a multitude of other medical needs. Hear how expecting moms can participate, how they are honored and how the process works. We honor hero Andrea Boullt and our mental health moment gives tips for better listening habits.

Show Notes: We delve into research that could be the biggest life saving change for organ donation in 40 years. LSU Mechanical Engineering Professor Ram Devireddy is researching different cooling rates for organs so that they remain viable for transplantation longer, giving every organ transplant recipient a greater chance at life. In our mental health moment, we explore tips for coping with social anxiety, and we honor hero Jacob Wayne Henry.

Show Notes: Our hosts are excited to welcome Pam Cart, a long time Forensic Relations Specialist for LOPA. Pam explains her role and why having strong relationships with the coroners opens up more opportunities for donation. We also learn about Pam’s hero and inspiration, Ryan Scott Cart, her youngest son who became a donor following an accident in 1997. Ryan is one of the floragraph honorees on the 2022 Donate Life Rose Parade Float and is also the hero for the episode. Sara delves into social media and how some use it to seek reassurance.

Show Notes: Ever wonder if the donation process is different in other countries? We learn first hand how things are done in Canada when we talk with Jamie Hitch, a Canadian altruistic living kidney donor. Sara talks about the power of saying no in our Moment for Mental Health, then we honor this episode’s donor hero, Josh Hicks.

Show Notes: Glaucoma is a disease we usually associate with older patients. In this episode, we learn there is a congenital form of glaucoma, and the treatment is a corneal transplant. We talk with two experts on the subject, Kyle Mavin from Southern Eyebank and Delarrie Dunlap whose daughter Ari received a cornea transplant as a toddler. Sara discusses an antidote to stress in our Moment for Mental Health and we honor Joseph Francis as our donor hero.

Show Notes: 37 million people suffer from chronic kidney disease in the United States. We welcome Monica Fox, a previous guest on episode 110 and Director of Outreach for National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. Monica is the host of a new podcast, The Journey Continues. The podcast is committed to promoting kidney health and organ donation through powerful stories. Monica also shares an exciting update about the Honor the Gift campaign. Then we talk about some of the effects of microaggressions and honor hero Terry Byrd on episode 174.

Show Notes: November is Eye Donation Month, and we are celebrating with two guests to this episode. First, Eye Bank Association of America's President and CEO, Kevin Corcoran joins the conversation to detail how COVID has impacted eye donation and transplantation in the last year. Then, Melissa St. Pierre, cornea recipient and volunteer for Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank, shares her story of sight restored. Finally, we chat about tips for accepting help and honor hero Brenda Myers.

Show Notes: On this episode we welcome Heather Thomson, an adored reality star from the hit Bravo Network reality series, The Real Housewives of New York City. She is also a successful entrepreneur, podcaster and has a son who is a liver recipient. Her son, Jax, received his gift of life at the tender age of 3 months old. Heather gets raw and real, sharing her powerful story about gratitude that continues to inspire people to become organ, tissue and eye donors. Then Sara teaches us a quick exercise in mental strength, we answer your question and honor hero Christie Melancon.

Show Notes: How does COVID-19 impact donation? Can I still be a donor if I've had COVID-19? We welcome Dr. Jonathan Hand, who is the Medical Director of the Transplant Infectious Diseases Program at Ochsner Medical Center and LOPA’s Associate Medical Director. Dr. Hand breaks down all things related to COVID: vaccines, the best sources for accurate information, how transplantation has adapted due to the pandemic, and how lives are continuing to be saved. Then we take a mental health moment, focusing on uncertainty and honor this episode’s donor hero, Myles Soileau.

Show Notes: Paul Cardall is a Dove Award winning pianist with 11 Billboard #1 albums and over 3 billion streams globally. He was also born with only half a heart. Paul had several near-death experiences and eventually was able to receive a heart transplant in 2009. He is a survivor that infuses his music with a vibrant appreciation for life and a desire to share his story with honesty and authenticity. Sara discusses the importance of human touch and how the pandemic has impacted our ability to physically interact with each other. We honor Joseph “Joey” Dupuy as our donor hero this episode.