The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: A sister’s passion for organ donation sparks a movement that is building momentum to register organ, tissue and eye donors throughout the country. We talk with Sara Miller of SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates. Hear how her sister, Laura, inspired her to educate and register donors in colleges and high schools. For more on Laura’s story, also listen to episode 107 when we spoke with their mother, Susan. We learn about coping with food anxiety in our mental health moment, then honor hero Justin Shufflin, all here on episode 119 of The Gifted Life.

Show Notes: Planning for a funeral is often the last thing on anyone’s mind until it is a have-to situation. Brian and Ryan from, Undertaking the Podcast, join us for an important discussion about the need for funeral planning prior to a death occurring. Hear tips for how to spark a family discussion about funeral wishes and what’s needed to plan a funeral service. Our friends from Indiana Donor Network share hero, Ashley Nikolai's story and we answer a listener’s question on The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: We welcome guests, Tyler Brignac from North Oaks Health System & Lana Stevens from LOPA into our studio for episode 117. Hear how partnering with like minded organizations and getting grassroots in communities can serve a collective goal, saving more lives. Learn all about Operation Life 5K and Play It Safe. We take a mental health break to get tips for finding our purpose, honor hero Dominic Patton and answer a listener’s question here on The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: What kind of funeral services can a family plan following their loved one’s donation? Can our family schedule a viewing and open casket funeral? Questions we often hear. We welcome Brian Water and Ryan Ballard, the hosts of Undertaking: The Podcast, for an open discussion about the funeral director’s role and what memorial services can be possible following donation. We take a mental health moment to talk about empathy vs. sympathy, honor hero Misty Davis and answer one of your questions all here on episode 116 of The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: How do you explain the gift of donation to a child? On episode 115 we welcome author, Brenda Cortez. Brenda created the character, Howl the Owl, after giving the gift of life through living kidney donation. Hear all about her series of books aimed at helping adults explain donation and transplantation to children. Then we take a mental health moment to share tips for helping children relax, honor hero Emily Simmers, and answer a listener’s question about registering as an organ, tissue and eye donor, all here on The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: On episode 114, advancements in the use of donated bone marrow is not only saving lives, but may also be the key to decreasing or eliminating rejection for organ transplant recipients. Remarkable studies are being conducted by Ossium Health, and we welcome co-founder and CEO, Kevin Caldwell, to learn how organ donors are contributing to marrow availability. We take a mental health moment to share techniques for relaxation, honor hero Jarred Brown and throw our intern, Rebecca Ranum, into the guest chair, all here on The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: On episode 113 we welcome Nina Martinez, the first person living with HIV to become a lifesaver through living donation. Learn how this remarkable medical milestone came to fruition. Then TGL podcast veteran, Dr. Christine Durand, joins us for an update on how the HOPE Act has changed the landscape for those waiting on a second chance at life through organ donation. We learn tips about practicing gratitude, share a resource for using preferred language to address people living with HIV and honor hero Randy Parent on this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: On episode 112 a listener’s call inspires us to ask questions about heart diseases that lead to transplant, specifically, cardiomyopathy. Dr. Daniel Morin from Ochsner Medical Center helps us get to the heart of the matter, explaining how the disease develops. We take a moment for mental health to offer tips for introducing mindfulness into your day, and honor hero Chloe Esquivel, right here on The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: Talking about your personal grief and the process of recovery following a loss can often be isolating and quiet. We welcome Grief Out Loud podcast host, Jana DeCristofaro from The Dougy Center to learn how they are using this medium to help open up the conversation about grief. Then we have tips for self care and share an assessment worksheet, honor hero Doug Colston and answer a listener’s question here on episode 111 of The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: A crucial aspect of kidney transplantation is aftercare by way of immunosuppressive medications. We talk with kidney recipient, Monica Fox, and transplant surgeon, Dr. Matthew Cooper, to learn about a campaign called Honor the Gift. They are hoping to engage Congress and solve problems with Medicare coverage limits. Sara Blakemore talks to us about traumatic grief. Monica Fox rejoins us to share the story of her hero, Milton Powell, and we answer your question, all here on episode 110 of The Gifted Life Podcast.