The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: Dr. Crystal Glover and Ryan Johnson of The Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (RADC), join us to discuss the importance of brain donation in understanding and treating Alzheimer's disease. Brain donation provides a definite diagnosis for families to help identify any hereditary issues and risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It also supports research about the cause, treatment, and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias, and a range of other common chronic conditions of aging. In our Mental Health Moment, Nila's son makes a request for shoes. Hear how this shoe shopping scenario forced her to examine her own approach to giving an opinion, and then, we honor hero William Lee Morris.

Show Notes: A listener turns into a guest on The Gifted Life Podcast. Pam Dworetz-Sofarelli wrote Wyatt's Wish, inspired by the gift of donation. Her book is geared towards young children with family and friends who are journeying through the organ donation process. Learn how Pam utilizes gentle storytelling to lead Wyatt to a very unexpected life lesson in loss and compassion. In our Mental Health Moment, we talk about small incremental changes in our lives that can make a big positive difference and we honor hero Issac Luquette.

Show Notes: In this episode, we talk about infants and how to ensure a safe sleep environment. Chris Knoblauch, Director of Education/Community Outreach with St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office, and Sara Dickenson, Maternal Child Health Coordinator Supervisor with the Bureau of Family Health, join us to give valuable but simple tips for learning about safe sleep for infants, featuring Partners for Family Health and the Cribs for Kids program. We take a moment for mental health and discuss ways to mindfully slow down, simplify and focus on what's best for yourself. We honor hero Gene Fontenot.

Show Notes: Heather Broussard, a mother on a mission, is dedicated to spreading awareness about water safety in the wake of the tragic loss of her 17-month-old daughter, Mazie. Transforming their family's heartbreak into a beacon of hope, they founded Mazie's Mission, an organization committed to promoting water safety. Heather not only recounts her personal journey but also emphasizes the importance of parents with young children having early discussions about the gift of donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we provide guidance on allowing oneself the space to cry, then pay tribute to the heroic spirit of Mazie Broussard.

Show Notes: We have a big bunch of friends in the studio to talk about Ava's Wish, a new book available now. The book is an inspired guide to help children understand the gift of organ and tissue donation. This book was written in honor of Ava Grace, who, following kindergarten graduation, became a "helper angel" at just 6-years-old and saved lives. Ava's family along with the authors and collaborators share the journey of crafting this very special message to help children understand the gift of life. In our mental health moment, we discuss techniques for intentional breath work and we honor Ava Grace Branstetter.

Show Notes: Community partners, Kristen Sanderson with the Louisiana Office of Public Health and Chris Knoblauch with the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office, join us in the studio to share important tips for maintaining safety while operating an ATV/UTV. Learn the ins and outs of the equipment and safety precautions families can take when enjoying these popular outdoor recreational vehicles, along with the information about the laws governing their use. Then special guest, LOPA's Celeste Montz, joins us for our Mental Health Moment for a discussion about the significance of gestures of kindness, and we also pay tribute to hero Skyler Delaney.

Show Notes: Have you ever wondered how many people's lives can change in a matter of minutes? That's the guiding question for the book 17 Again, A Story of Life After Life, which is inspired by real-life events that occurred 30 years ago. At 17, Andrea Boullt, became a donor saving 6 lives following a tragic accident. Now, her sister and the book's author, Lisa Boullt, joins the podcast to discuss her sister and how Andrea's gifts of life all those years ago have inspired her to write this very special tribute and drive advocacy for donation. The episode also addresses important questions about registering as a donor and pays homage to Andrea Boullt.

Show Notes: We welcome back Kevin Caldwell from Ossium Health, who was previously featured on episode #114, to reveal groundbreaking developments in the realm of bone marrow research and transplantation. Prepare to be amazed as we delve into Ossium's cutting-edge research, showcasing remarkable advancements in the preservation of bone marrow over extended periods, and explore the profound implications for both transplantation procedures and revolutionary cancer treatments. Additionally, in our Mental Health Moment, we explore the concept of congruence, providing insights on aligning words with actions. We wrap up this episode by paying tribute to donor hero, Michael Wattler. Tune in for an episode that promises to inform, inspire, and uplift.

Show Notes: Children are naturally curious, and they have a unique ability to empathize and understand complex concepts when presented in a clear and simple manner. In this episode, we welcome Madeline Pawloski, author of The Gift: A Children's Book About "The Gift" of Organ Donation. Madeline delicately introduces the topic in a kid-friendly way that focuses on the generosity of organ donation. Then in our mental health moment we chat about tips for creating genuine connections and honor hero, Christopher Emling.

Show Notes: This episode’s guest is heart recipient, Ryan Gallet, who hails from the heart of Cajun Country. Ryan, who is 48 years old, had a massive heart attack at the age of 30 due to a 100% blockage. About 3 years later, Ryan learned his heart only had 10% function and he needed a new heart to live. Now, he shares his story to inspire more people to register to give the gift of life. In our Mental Health Moment, we talk about how grief can manifest in unexpected ways, and then honor hero, Tony Clark.