The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: On this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast, we share a 30-year journey rooted in service as we highlight the extraordinary impact of longtime donation advocate and LOPA Board Member David Puckett. David reflects on his family’s transplant journey with his daughter, Lauren, a journey that led him to become her living kidney donor for her first lifesaving transplant. That selfless gift, followed by a second kidney transplant, made countless milestones possible including the unforgettable moment David walked Lauren down the aisle. Beyond his role as a devoted father and living donor, David has given years of dedicated service to LOPA’s Board of Directors, helping guide the organization’s mission and champion donor families, recipients, and the lifesaving power of donation. His leadership, compassion and advocacy have left a lasting mark on LOPA and is a celebration of the moments made possible through the gift of life. In our Mental Health Moment, we discuss tips for examining what is important to you and how to fill your life with moments that matter, and then, we honor donor hero, Walker Johnson.

Show Notes: We welcome Beth Sparks, mother of donor hero Clayton Sparks, to share more about her son whose legacy continues to touch so many lives. Clayton, became an organ donor at the age of 24, and was the inspiration for the children’s book Clayton Sparks Leaves His Mark, written by Abby Gray, the wife of Clayton’s liver recipient. Beth reflects on Clayton’s vibrant personality, his compassion, and the impact he made in his short life. Hear how telling his story continues to bring comfort and inspires others to consider organ donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we offer practical tips for processing memories in a positive, productive manner, and then, honor hero Justin Bonvillian.

Show Notes: On this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast, we welcome Abby Gray, author of Clayton Sparks Leaves His Mark and Impatiently Waiting for Miracles. In January 2017, Abby began writing as a therapeutic outlet while she and her husband, Reid, faced serious health challenges. Four years later, their lives changed forever when Reid received a liver transplant through a directed donation from organ donor Clayton Sparks. Abby shares how her family and the Sparks family have become forever connected through the powerful ripple effect of organ donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we talk about ways grief can manifest in our lives, and discuss tips to cope with that loss in a positive manner. Then, we honor donor hero, Skylar Guidry.

Show Notes: On this episode we shine a spotlight on an incredible woman whose story combines generosity and advocacy with a touch of pageant sparkle. Jeri Gill, an altruistic living kidney donor, was recently crowned 2025 Ms. Senior World Louisiana in the 60’s age category. Jeri's platform is organ donation, and she uses her voice to champion the gift of donation. Don’t miss Jeri’s inspiring journey, her passion for donation, and how she continues to turn her personal gift into a movement of hope. Then in our Mental Health Moment, we chat about the various roles in our everyday lives, and offer practical tips for navigating those different roles with ease, then we pause to honor donor hero, Lainey Glaze.

Show Notes: On this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast we welcome Miss Louisiana’s Teen 2025, Virginia Kirkpatrick. 17 year old Virginia is an impressive leader on every level, but what really stood out is her Community Service Initiative to educate and encourage registration as an organ and tissue donor, “Life After Mine: Your Choice, Their Chance. Virginia shares her journey to the crown and why donation advocacy is so close to her heart. In our Mental Health Moment, we first ask the simple question “How are you?" We discuss ways to pause and really examine our feelings and tactics for embracing those feelings. Then, we honor donor hero Bret Flowers.

Show Notes: On this episode, we sit down with donor mom and author Maggie Fanara, whose debut book is titled Beautifully Broken. Maggie opens up about the lies she once believed about herself, and how God met her in the depths of abuse, heartbreak, and loss to rewrite her story. Maggie invites us into her journey of healing and purpose where she discusses what it means to break toxic cycles and speak life over your future, even when you feel broken beyond repair. Don’t miss this empowering conversation. In our Mental Health Moment we offer tips for setting and communicating your boundaries and then, we circle back to our guest, Maggie, who honors her son and donor hero, Caiden Stokes.

Show Notes: In this episode, we spotlight a groundbreaking advancement in transplantation offering new hope to patients with stage 4 colorectal cancer. At Northwestern Medicine, surgeons successfully split a donor's liver to save two lives. One portion of the donor's liver went for a traditional waitlist recipient, and the other portion, for a patient with advanced colorectal cancer. This approach is part of a new trial called CLEAR (Colorectal Metastasis to Liver Extraction with Auxiliary Transplant and Delayed Resection). We’re joined by Barclay Missen, the first Northwestern patient to undergo this innovative transplant and Dr. Satish Nadig, who shares how the CLEAR program is reshaping outcomes for patients. In our Mental Health Moment, we discuss tips for navigating the ups and downs of your day to maintain positive balance in your emotions, and then, honor donor hero Katherine Thiels.

Show Notes: On this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast, we sit down with Robert Boudwin who's a man known for his larger-than-life presence both on and off the court as the Houston Rockets’ beloved mascot “Clutch the Rocket Bear”. However, Robert’s story goes far beyond entertainment. He’s also a passionate Donate Life advocate with a personal journey of hope and healing. Our conversation is full of energy, heart, and purpose as Robert shares what drives him, the impact of donation on his family, and how we can all be heroes in someone’s story. Later in the episode, we explore how to find opportunities for growth while coping with loss in our Mental Health Moment, and we honor donor hero Michael Snider.

Show Notes: We’re joined by Ron Chapman — lung transplant recipient, author, and passionate advocate for those awaiting a second chance at life. In a powerful conversation, Ron shares his deeply personal story of resilience, fear, hope, and gratitude. Through his heartfelt discussion with our hosts and his inspiring book, A Quest for a Lung, Ron offers guidance and encouragement to anyone on the transplant journey. In this episode’s Mental Health Moment, we explore the power of resilience and share practical tips for overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Finally, we pay tribute to donor hero Asher Chavers.

Show Notes: For our milestone 250th episode, we bring you an inspiring conversation with Louis Smith, an Army veteran and heart transplant recipient, alongside Dr. Benjamin Bryner, a cardiac surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital who saved more than just his life. After serving in the military, Smith’s heart function declined to just 10 percent, leaving him in urgent need of a transplant. Within two weeks, he received a new heart but before the surgery, he had one special request: to preserve the tattoo on his chest that honored his late father. Hear his incredible journey and the unwavering dedication of his medical team. In our Mental Health Moment, we explore how our thoughts shape our paths, share tips on redirecting and reflecting on them, and honor hero Celestino Ornelas.