The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: Episode 39 of The Gifted Life Podcast takes us on a journey back to the 2016 Transplant Games of America in Cleveland. The podcast team shares stories and interviews from the trip. We hear from Marilyn with Lifeline of Ohio. Learn about what the games have done to boost donation awareness and registrations for Ohio. Then Lori talks to Mrs. Peanut, a mascot for Team Georgia! Mrs. Peanut is cheering for her team and son-in-law, Joe. Joe received a heart 20 years ago from a special Hero. Lung recipient Mike, from Team Georgia, talks to the podcast crew about his experience taking part in the games and then Lori catches up with the Babins from Louisiana. They share the story of their son, Blake Babin. This episode is an awesome glimpse of how organ, eye and tissue donation can change and save lives. Plus, Sally tells us more about children and grief. Our hosts answer a listener’s question and honor Hero Bobby Nation. All right here on episode 39 of The Gifted Life.

Show Notes: Episode 38 of The Gifted Life Podcast opens with a series of guests that take us on a virtual journey to a new interactive and digital Silent Heroes Wall within Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Find out how the project began, listen to a description of the wall, and hear from one mother who visits often. Her son is a hero honored on the wall. Then we hear about a little Hero, Austin Rose Wiggingtion, who gave the Gift of Life through neonatal donation. LOPA’s Laura LeGuin and Austin’s mom, Kelsey, join our hosts so you can learn more about the power of this special gift. Hero, Amy Fox is honored and we answer a listener’s question about bone marrow donation right here in episode 38 of The Gifted Life.

Show Notes: Episode 37 of The Gifted Life tells you how to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor in a new way, what its like to have 30 years of life after transplant, and what it takes to help a child overcome grief. First, our hosts welcome Donate Life America President and CEO, David Fleming, to discuss an amazing new donor registration option coming to the iPhone! Learn how iPhone users, or as David says, “iPhone-ites”, can say YES when iOS 10 releases. Then, a journey back to nearly 30 years ago! Mr. Ezell Holland tells us how the gift of a kidney in 1986 changed the course of his life. Family support takes a look into assisting grieving children. Sally introduces us to Sharon Wesberry, child life specialist from Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. Sharon shares how the staff reaches out to children who are coping with end of life events. Christopher Solomon is our honored hero, we answer a question about donating your body to science and donation, and we hear a voicemail from a podcast fan. All this and more in episode 37 of The Gifted Life.

Show Notes: On episode 36 of The Gifted Life we take you on a virtual podcast journey to Mississippi! We are always learning from our partners throughout the nation. In this episode, we have a discussion with Kevin Stump. Kevin is the CEO of MORA, the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency. From a new building to continued education, learn all the wonderful ways MORA is working to save and heal more lives in their state. Then we talk Super Heroes! MORA’s Chuck Stinson chats with Joey, Lori and Sally to explain how Mississippi citizens are learning that “It’s Super Easy” to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor! Sally talks grieving styles and how men and women differ when faced with grief. Miracles can occur thanks to heroes. MORA shares a Hero with us from their Mississippi Miracle series. MORA Hero Chase Wroten is honored and when you ear about a picture of Chase from his high school years, you will get chills! We learn more about why transplants become necessary; thank MORA for sharing so much from Mississippi, and more on episode 36 of The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: Episode 35 of The Gifted Life Podcast shines a spotlight on 2 national observances that focus on the need for more registered organ, eye and tissue donors in all communities. Our hosts first welcome Amanda Hollowell. She tells us about AMAT, the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation. ECHO, an acronym for Every Community Has Opportunity, and the 20th anniversary of National Minority Donor Awareness Week. Then we learn more about outreach efforts and challenges in multicultural communities when Joey, Lori and Sally introduce us to Brandi Ahonsi. Brandi is the chairperson for the AMAT African American Workgroup. Learn some great tips for reaching out and sparking discussion about organ, eye and tissue donation. Then, Sally gives us helpful guidelines for overcoming guilt and blame when we lose a loved one. Wayne Gomez is our honored hero on this episode. Wayne’s mom says, “Just knowing that part of our loved one still survives within another is somewhat, a comfort.” The Gifted Life Podcast crew covers awesome information and answers a listener’s question. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Show Notes: In episode 34 of The Gifted Life podcast, our crew takes you on a journey back to June of 2016 for the Transplant Games of America. The games took place in Cleveland, Ohio. Hear remarkable stories from several Team Louisiana athletes! Lori chats with a couple of dynamic recipient dancers, a bowler, a basketball player, and a runner with her donor’s family. These are some of the great stories about how life is transformed by the Gift of Life. Our hosts then honor hero, Emily Christen, and answer a listener’s question about how to find more information. You can find the Quilts on our website, along with seeing more from the Transplant Games on our podcast page or YouTube channel. Enjoy this installment and be on the lookout for more stories from the crew’s trip to Cleveland in future episodes of The Gifted Life!

Show Notes: Episode 33 of The Gifted Life Podcast opens with a guest who has a very special story and talent, heart recipient Charles Henderson. Hear about how he came to know his Hero, David “Dudu” Cologne. When he serenades our hosts, smiles erupt! Another recipient joins us, guest Tanya Smith. She tells us how the Gift from a tissue donor changed her life forever. Sally focuses on another form of grief, complicated grief. Learn how to recognize and break out of complicated grief. Our hosts honor Hero Robert Myers from the new Quilt section of our website, answer an important question from a listener, and more right here on episode 33 of The Gifted Life Podcast.

Show Notes: Episode 32 of The Gifted Life begins by celebrating the 2016 Transplant Games of America! Joey, Lori and Sally welcome Lifebanc CEO, Gordon Bowen, and talk with him about the excitement surrounding the games in Cleveland. Then, an in-studio visit by athletes bound for Cleveland! Team Louisiana co-captain and Olympic Gold Medalist, Kim Black, plus athletes Tyrone Cooper and Warren Whittington chat about what it means to go for the gold in Ohio and how it honors the Gift of Life they have been given. Sally opens a discussion about coping with grief in the workplace by asking Joey to share his experience. Learn some resources, and how hobbies can be a viable coping mechanism. Our hosts honor hero, Carl LaPoint, and an answer a listener’s question about registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. All that and more, right here on episode 32 of The Gifted Life.

Show Notes: In episode 31, The Gifted Life is sharing how stories about the power of organ, tissue, and eye donation reach communities in unique ways. Our hosts first welcome LSU graduate, Kaitlyn King. Kaitlyn was a member of 225 Communications in an LSU marketing class. Hear how the group plastered their campus with information and facts to register more donors! Sally, Joey and Lori also speak with the parents of a sweet baby boy, and hero, John Clarke Perry. 1 heart + 2 young sons + 4 loving and faith-filled parents = countless lives being changed by John Clarke forever. Then, Sally tells you about the history of donor Quilts, and how it’s one of the special ways that families can honor their hero. We honor hero Dustin Gordon. We answer a question and play a message from another pair of listeners who have a heart-warming story of love, and it’s all right here on episode 31 of The Gifted Life.

Show Notes: In episode 30 we have a special in-studio guest, a recipient tells her story and more! First up, we welcome Elling Eidbo, CEO of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO). Hear all about AOPO’s beginnings, standards, advocacy and how they assist Organ Procurement Organizations throughout the nation. It’s all part of AOPO’s mission and vision. Sally then introduces us to Fran Johnson, a liver recipient. Listen close as Fran shares her experience releasing a butterfly in honor of her donor and with her donor’s family. It’s very moving. Our hosts honor hero, Mike Dowty by reading the beautiful words written by his daughter. Joey answers a listener’s question. Lori and Sally talk to a recipient, Wendy Lipsey, fresh off the stage. Wendy kicked up her heels in honor of her second chance at life. All here on episode 30 of The Gifted Life.