Welcome to Part 2 of the Duality of Gratitude & Grief. Anna is joined by Denzel, Mari, Monique, and Denise, the ED of The Heartfelt Help Foundation. 

This conversation delves into the complex emotional and financial challenges faced by families navigating the heart transplant journey. Through personal stories, the speakers share their experiences of trauma, guilt, and resilience, highlighting the ongoing struggles that persist long after the transplant. The discussion emphasizes the duality of gratitude and grief, as families learn to cope with the realities of living with chronic health issues while supporting their loved ones.

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We are kicking off season 2 of The Unspoken with Denise Redeker and three of her Pediatric Heart Transplant Patient Families. We are so thankful to Denzel, Mari, and Monique for being open and honest about their family's journey through and after a heart transplant. 

This conversation delves into the complex emotional and financial challenges faced by families navigating the heart transplant journey. Through personal stories, the speakers share their experiences of trauma, guilt, and resilience, highlighting the ongoing struggles that persist long after the transplant. The discussion emphasizes the duality of gratitude and grief, as families learn to cope with the realities of living with chronic health issues while supporting their loved ones.

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This episode explores the profound impact of eye donation, featuring heartfelt stories from donor families and insights from experts in the field. Anna is joined by donor family Leslie & Brad Vickers, as well as Staci from the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of eye donation compared to other organ donations, emphasizing the importance of early discussions about donation decisions. The episode also delves into the emotional journey of donor families and the life-changing effects on recipients.

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Join host Anna Morgan-Palardy as she sits down with CKF Executive Director Jessi Rochel and Chris Klug, founder of the Chris Klug Foundation, to explore his incredible journey from receiving a life-saving liver transplant to winning an Olympic bronze medal. In this episode, Chris shares his personal story of resilience, the mission of his foundation, and the impact of organ donation. Discover how Chris's passion for board sports and his commitment to giving back have inspired countless others. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about second chances and the power of community. #LiveLifeGiveLife

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🎙In this episode of "The Unspoken," host Anna Morgan-Palardy dives into the transformative world of organ pumps with Dr. James Trotter from Intermountain Health. 🎙

⚡️Discover how this groundbreaking technology is revolutionizing the field of organ transplantation, increasing the number of successful transplants, and reducing wait times for patients. Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of implementing organ pumps nationwide and the profound impact they have on both donors and recipients. Tune in to learn how these innovations are paving the way for a brighter future in transplant medicine.⚡️

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In this conversation, Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Michael Wells, team captain of Team Rocky Mountain, about the upcoming Transplant Games of America. They discuss the significance of the games, the emotional impact on participants, and the goals for Team Rocky Mountain. Michael shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of community engagement, and highlights inclusivity to Team Rocky Mountain. The conversation highlights the positive atmosphere of the games and encourages potential participants to get involved.

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In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, Anna Morgan-Palardy interviews Elaine Perlman, the executive director of Waitlist Zero, about the urgent need for kidney donations and the legislative efforts to pass the End Kidney Deaths Act. 

Elaine shares her personal journey into the world of organ donation, the challenges faced by living donors, and the potential impact of the proposed legislation, which aims to provide tax credits to altruistic kidney donors. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support and advocacy in addressing the kidney crisis in America.

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In this episode of the Unspoken Podcast, host Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Brian Martindale, the Program and Communications Director at Kidneys for Kids. They discuss the importance of living kidney donation, particularly for pediatric patients, and the various initiatives aimed at raising awareness and advocating for organ donation. Brian shares his personal journey as a kidney donor and the impact of his work in recruiting donors for children in need. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in finding donors, the role of media in promoting organ donation, and the need for education and legislative efforts to support living donors.

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Anna is joined by the 2024 CKF Award Winners Mark Scotch, Denise Redeker and Abby Gray. They share their journeys and experiences joining and within the transplant and donation community. They share their experience as the CKF Award Winners and attending CKF's Wine & Dine Gala. Finally, they announced the winners of the 2025 CKF Awards! 

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In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Dave Galbenski from the Living Liver Foundation about the importance of living liver donation. They discuss the mission of the foundation, the significance of raising awareness about living organ donation, and the personal experiences that drive advocacy. The conversation highlights the psychological aspects of being a living donor, the legislative efforts to support donors, and the future initiatives aimed at promoting living donation. The episode emphasizes the need for community engagement and the power of conversations in inspiring potential donors.

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