The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: Happy New Year! On episode 99 we kick off 2019 talking about ways you can control your end of life decisions. What’s a will and what’s a living will? Should I declare that I’m an organ, eye and tissue donor in a will? Our guest, estate planning attorney, Paul Rabalais, has the answers. Sally gives us tips for shifting to a new perspective. We honor hero, Alan Varnado (Puissegur), and answer a listener’s question right here on The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: On episode 98 of The Gifted Life Podcast, we welcome Jennifer Scharfenstein and Haley Orillion of Savannah Smiles to learn about the driving passion behind the nonprofit. The organization offers resources to families who have lost a child under the age of 18, and is also bridging the gap of grief between parents and their children through Camp Savannah. Sally gives us tips for managing negative feelings. We honor a hero, Nicholas Lewis, and we answer a listener’s question.

Show Notes: On episode 97 we welcome Litsa Williams and Eleanor Haley of What’s Your Grief to put a spotlight on the need for various approaches to grieving. They have a plethora of resources, from their blog with entries titled ‘64 of the Best Things Ever Said to a Griever’, to trainings for professionals, to a podcast called What’s Your Grief. Then Sally guides us through tips for navigating the holidays, we honor hero Jeffrey Carr and answer a listener’s question about registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor.

Show Notes: The Eye Bank Association of America has been celebrating Eye Donation Month in March for the last 35 years, but this year it is officially moving to November. Our hosts interview Julia Wallace, of the Baton Rouge Regional Eyebank, to learn about this year’s campaign and new ways they are honoring donors. Sally talks about the benefits of group therapy and we honor hero, Alexis Molliere.

Show Notes: We welcome Dr. Jonathan Hand to episode 95 and discuss the risks of disease transmission from a donor versus not receiving a transplant. Dr. Hand specializes in the treatment of infectious disease with transplant patients at Ochsner Medical Center, and explains why no one should rule themselves out as a potential donor. Sally talks about the importance of being able to take a break from grief and we honor Cooper Gibson in our Hero Segment.

Show Notes: On episode 94 we take the guest seats on another podcast called Causecasts (now known as Causepods). Causepods host, Mathew Passy, takes us back in time to discover the origins of The Gifted Life Podcast and learn facts about registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Then we honor hero, Brittany Falcone, on this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: On episode 93, we talk to with Nicole Gladfelter and Ted Sheldon. Two living donors who help us understand some of the hurdles they faced when they decided to donate a kidney to someone in need. Their persistence to give the gift of life will inspire you. Then we honor hero Barry Brown and answer a listener’s question about coverage under FMLA for living donation right here on The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: Episode 92 of The Gifted Life Podcast brings us back in time to a special moment when a little boy named, Xander, is with his Paw-Paw, Lee Benoit. Lee is a cajun musician and interviewed Xander in his recording studio. The two talked about life, music and super heroes. We don't want to give too much of this narrative away, but a special thanks to Tulane Transplant Institute and Our Lady of the Lake Hospital for their help in making this story possible.

Show Notes: We go back to Utah for a Transplant Games of America redux. Three families share how their tiny athletes are living a big full life, thanks to their donor heroes. Then Sally discusses research from the male perspective and how to begin having conversations about mental health. We honor a hero, Emily Lyons, from the Transplant Games website Reflection Room and answer a listener’s question on episode 91 of The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: Our guest, Karen Hannahs, joins us from Intermountain Donor Services to share some of their special projects, such as the Celebration of Life Monument, designed to help families honor their donor’s gift of life. She and Sally also discuss the healing power of writing to donor family members and recipients. Then, Sally talks about how suicide attempts have surged amongst women in middle age. We honor hero, Tevin Reed, and answer a listener’s question about ordering Donate Life branded items on episode 90 of The Gifted Life Podcast.