Casana Fink is best known as the current reigning Miss Tampa but she’s just as proud of her accomplishment as the author of a children’s book about organ donation.  Her experience as the daughter of liver transplant recipient inspired her to bring comfort and understanding to families across the country.

Follow Casana on Instagram @MissCasanaFink @CasanaFink @MissTampaOrgFl

Aaron Sims was used to a jet-setting lifestyle, traveling the world and enjoying life when Lupus caused his kidneys to fail. His illness grounded him until a transplant from his brother helped him return to doing all of the things he loves.

Read more about Aaron on his blog or follow him on Instagram @aarondanielsims

Jon McCabe knew the moment that he laid eyes on Carol in college that she was his perfect match. When the pair learned in their early 70s that Carol needed a kidney transplant, he got the medical proof.  The couple shares the importance of advocating for yourself and having the right team in your corner.

Registered Nurse Von Alcedo is passionate about caring for dialysis patients. He uses his almost 40 years of expertise to coach them through their options, boost their spirits, help them take charge of their health even during the low times, and live their best lives while undergoing treatment. 

Thank you to Fresenius Kidney Care for sponsoring this episode.

When nurse and mom Linda Miller learned her PKD had advanced to kidney failure, her daughter's high school best friend Joel Shoemaker didn't hesitate to be her donor. The two have always shared a special bond and their friendship and love for one another is infectious!

Visit Joel's website at itsjoelshoemaker.com or follow him on social media:

• Instagram @magicianactor
• Facebook @Joel Shoemaker

Chef Chloe Gould’s journey is filled with learning, discovery and painful loss. Whether she’s showing love to her clients, her family, her mentors, or her students  - food has been there, for the hurting and the healing.

Follow Chef Chloe on social media at @DixiePura or visit her website at https://www.dixiepura.com/

Tony and Tracey Gonzalez’s love story started as a classic opposite attract romance. Now 25 years and a kidney transplant later, they’re falling in love in new, deeper ways.

Janet Hasson, LCSW is used to helping her clients navigate life’s challenges. When her young son was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, she found herself in need of support and created a community of fellow kidney parents. Now she advocates for funding, research and more for kidney patients across the nation.

In her role at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, as well as in her own personal health journey, Shelley Turk has learned the importance of the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Her commitment to whole person and whole community health is shifting the focus from treatment to prevention with increased education, access, and early detection.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Learn more at bcbsil.com

John Czechowicz is a self-described professional dialysis patient. He and his wife Sara are an unstoppable team, loving and supporting one another through 27 years of marriage, parenting their son, and finding the right dialysis treatment to fit their lifestyle.

This episode is sponsored by Fresenius Kidney Care. Learn more at https://www.freseniuskidneycare.com/