The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: Transplantation Science is an educational program that delves into the biology and science behind donation and transplantation. We talk with Ken and Anne from Donor Alliance, the organization who created the program. Remarkably, this story begins with Ken telling us how he was NOT a proponent for donation. Hear why he changed his mind and has since educated thousands of students about the importance of organ and tissue donation using the Transplantation Science program. Then learn tips for giving yourself a nudge in the right direction, plus we honor Donor Alliance hero, Kenzie Kingry.

Show Notes: Can donation cure type 1 diabetes? You don't want to miss this story filled with love and resilience! On episode 138, Kristine Neal from We Are Sharing Hope South Carolina joins our hosts to chat about their work in South Carolina. Kristine is joined by volunteer and pancreas recipient, Kim Perkins, who has been cured of type 1 diabetes and is living life to the fullest thanks to the gift of life. Sara offers tips for combating panic attacks during our moment for mental health, and we honor South Carolina hero Keegan.

Show Notes: Glenna and Amanda Frey are the mother and daughter power team who founded the non-profit Kidney Donor Conversations. They are using their career backgrounds and personal experiences with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) to help educate the public about living kidney donation and make it easier to understand. Sara explains toxic positivity and we honor hero Timothy Thompson.

Show Notes: Have you ever seen something about donation on TV and thought, no, that’s wrong? Donate Life Hollywood’s founder, Tenaya Wallace, tells us about the Donate Life Hollywood Activate App. Through this app (available in the Apple or Google Play app stores) people can respond immediately to a negative storyline, support a positive storyline, learn about casting opportunities, upload real-life stories and much more. Then we talk about resiliency, especially during the pandemic, and honor hero, Jarred Brown, on episode 136.

Show Notes: Our friend Chuck Stinson from MORA, Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, guest hosts with Lori to share a special story with us. Mary Margaret Hyer, Miss Mississippi 2019, joins to share her unique connection to organ, tissue and eye donation which became her platform, Advocate, Celebrate, Donate. Then they honor a hero from their state, Danielle “Bay Bay” Bryant, and answer a question they hear often from Mississippians.

Show Notes: Our friend Chuck Stinson from MORA, Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, is our guest host, sharing a special story about an organ donor from Mississippi. Chuck welcomes David Wilbanks, father of Walker Wilbanks, who explains how a brief conversation about his son’s decision to be a donor impacted five different communities. We also honor Walker in the hero segment and answer a question about the Mississippi donor registry.

Show Notes: On episode 132 we talk to our friend, colleague, professional athlete and two-time heart recipient, Simon Keith. Simon worked at Nevada Donor Network and now leads the Simon Keith Foundation, aiming to provide financial support primarily to kids who had a life-saving organ transplant and have a desire to return to an active lifestyle. Then, a mental health moment to discuss the difference between being selfish and self aware. We honor Nevada Donor Network hero, Michael “Mikey” Sigler, and answer one of your questions on The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: On this episode, we welcome Lisa Bradshaw to hear about her own connection to transplantation and the inspiration behind her Don’t Wait Project. She calls DON'T WAIT stories, the nouns in life: the people, places, things and ideas despite the obstacles. We share tips for coping during the Coronavirus pandemic, listen to a special voicemail from a familiar voice, and honor hero Kelsey Bagwell.

Show Notes: On episode 131 we chat with our friends at Gift of Hope in Illinois. CEO, Kevin Cmunt tells us how Gift of Hope is supporting donor families and about his role as Chief Storyteller. Then Kevin introduces us to a dynamic couple, the Grobmeiers, who created the Maddog Strong Foundation after their daughter, Maddie “Maddog” Grobmeier became a donor. The Grobmeier family uses Maddog’s story to inspire teens to have a conversation about organ and tissue donation. We discuss tips for coping with anger and shame within intimate relationships, we honor hero Maddie “Maddog” Grobmeier and answer a listener’s question here on The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: On episode 130, we welcome our friend, Ramonia Chapman from Gift of Life Michigan to gab about their campaign, Let’s Talk. This program was created to spark conversations and build a culture of trust within African-American, Arab-American and Latinx communities. Then we discuss managing workplace stress, honor Michigan hero, Emilio DeFoe, and answer your question here on The Gifted Life Podcast.