Hello and welcome to the gifted life podcast where we have conversations about organ tissue and eye donation on the race deal I am Joey Boudreau, and I'm Sally Gentry, and we are all smiles and we thank you for listening in Thank you so much for what you do April first. Happy April Fool's day But it is a big day because and this is not April Fool's it's the start of donate life months so much going on Grab your pen grab your paper. We're gonna fill you in hopefully we'll see you during the month of April Yes, Laurie and one of the other things this is our anniversary Lopa has been in business for 27 years going strong lots of lives I say there 27 years out of making life in that fantastic. That's amazing So yeah, we'll talk a little bit more about that and Ryan's runs coming up and laugh yet Yep coming up tomorrow, so we want to see you guys.
I got my running shoes ready Yeah, we're gonna tell you the basis behind it How do we get where we are and later on we'll talk about the narrative laughter and times of grief? Okay, that's coming up as well. We'll honor a hero take your questions and answers and so much more here on the gifted life But we do ask you to spread the word so we appreciate you listening. We want to get more people on board Absolutely don't forget you can listen to us on iTunes Stitcher Google player any of your favorite apps Let everyone know about us.
It's very informative very educational and we have a lot of fun here Yeah, a lot of what we talk about here on the gifted life You'll see in our social media pages you and I do Facebook a lot so donate life Louisiana What we talk about you'll see pictures and it'll kind of all come together for you We're also on Twitter and Instagram at donate life la and don't forget we have that hotline Joey remember the number I do it Five oh four six four eight thirty four seventy seven. That's five oh four six four eight three four seven seven I like it. We'd like to hear from you. We've already gotten a few calls in and we're gonna listen to some later on today So be sure and give us a call.
Yeah, it is power pack today guys already. Yep. Let's do it Okay, it's a big month We are kicking off national donate life month and we love that all of our families across the area get into this Absolutely and Laura we talk about making life happen and we pride ourselves on the celebration of life and allowing the families are given the families a little bit extra a little bit of a legacy for their loved one and About two episodes ago I talked about the fact that we in Louisiana had our most successful year in the amount of transplants that we were able to our lives that we were able to save through transplant with six hundred and thirteen transplants 50 more transplants than we had ever done in any previous year and Nationally that number this past year. We reached a milestone of thirty thousand transplants And that's just an amazing thing when you think it when you sit back and think and it all starts with community education You know, there's only so much we can do, you know, like I say you guys always hear me I'm the clinician and I know my part But I understand that the most important part happens way before any conversations with any families in the hospitals You know that happens with spreading awareness it happens with donate life America nationally and then of course You guys are community educators, you know, in Louisiana and we are fortunate here on our podcast today to have Melissa Devini who is with donate life America and she's here to tell us a little bit about donate life month here and how it got started Hey Melissa good afternoon.
Thank you having me. So yes, actually it began as national organ and tissue donor awareness week more than 25 years ago But over time we realized that really a week was not long enough to celebrate and honor and to try to activate people to Register their life saving and healing decisions. So long about the year 2000 It became national donate life month when the donate life logo and brand were founded I loved, you know, we chit chat with our guests before we do the podcast and I love a lot of things that came out of your mouth But one of them was donation is now more of the norm than it used to be and that's because of all these efforts that we have underway I think the way that we have tried to position donation over the last at least decade and a half is very much in the context of life We did research years ago when before donor registries existed We talked to people about whether they had shared their decision with their family And what we learned was that the folks that saw donation as something about enabling them to give life to someone else when theirs was over and really positively had all told their families But the ones that thought of it as doom and gloom and all about death and dying We're not able to talk to their families and so the donate life brand was born and even the colors of the Earth and sky the blue and green Reflect that life affirming position. We're all taking notes.
Oh, that's where the blue and green. I know I love it Okay, so blue and green we have national blue and green day coming up, which I love because anybody Anybody can get involved from the pets all the way to co-workers family We try to make it family fun and you guys at a little incentive cash basically So let's talk about how that developed and how that day really spurs awareness across the country So about three years ago We thought oh when it be fun to have a photo contest It was really a selfish thing because we always like to get photos that we're able to share nationally And so we had the first national donate life blue and green day and people really took off We created some categories as you said like pets and we've had everything from dogs and cats to pigs and horses decorated In there blue and green and it's just a really fun day and no matter what your connection to donation or transportation is It's a time to celebrate that life affirming thing that we're all a part of and yes There are categories and prizes to be won. I know that our DMDs all take part in this day and have a really great time doing it We have categories like groups and kids and food of course It's always the most appetizing looking thing, but it's creative. That's right especially from south Louisiana.
I'm sure From where we are green cupcakes. Yeah, so I guess that the goal is donate life America needs to see these pictures And that's down through the Facebook page correct Facebook calm slash donate life and donate life dot net slash blue dash green dash day And once all the photos are submitted everyone has an opportunity to vote for their favorite We have the community choice award in addition to having a DMD motor vehicle submission award and a hospital award and award and kid award and so on So changing gears just a tad bit I noticed that the artwork that you guys have at donate life America's now recently been changed And it's been inspired by the Sunflower tell me a little bit about how that came about Yes, our fantastic graphic designer comes up with unique art every year for donate life months And we prepare all kinds of materials for our state teams across the country to use everything from had the paper and posters to t-shirts and This year of grow your own Sunflower. So the idea is that a Sunflower one flower has up to 2,000 Feeds so with that one flower you can create an entirely new field of flowers And we thought that that really was similar to the potential that every registered donor Have to save and heal the lives of up to a hundred people and to provide that folks to those who continue to wait and it just seemed like a fitting Nice springy image so we will have those materials and then also we'll be launching Twitter which is the donate life logo that can be placed over your Facebook photo and On the corner for donate life month I love it because we use that here in Louisiana our hospitals our churches really anywhere they let us have it But it's so good for us to reach folks in our area and Joey was talking about You know milestone for transplants and for Loba and you were saying that our families are really communicating with us as well Yes, they're found that many times that families now are talking about donation with their family their friends They're sending or giving us very positive feedback about what it means for their loved one to be a donor or get our tissue And very very pleased with the fact that they've had this opportunity to reach out help others And they do celebrate their loved ones life And I think I mentioned earlier when we were talking that you know 16 years ago when I first started working with Loba They're just was not you know that much enthusiasm if you will about sharing this information And now families are really eager to participate in all the different events that we have to be able to share this information So it's really about changing the culture. Yes, and I think you know we are reaching that To think point now where we do have at this point more than 50% of the adults in the United States registered as donors and along with the Highest number of transplants performed last year.
It was also the greatest number of donors We had 8500 deceased and 6,000 living donors, which is just incredible It's never enough But it's a huge milestone and we do believe that it is becoming part of the cultural norm for people to be Organized to shoot donors and as well to consider living donation when I left that we all work together we come from different walks of life And we're all worked towards that one goal which is making life happen So we appreciate you taking the time steering us in the right direction and we look forward to blue and green day and all the months activities Thank you. All right. Thanks Melissa Coming up in our community segment a huge event in Lafayette goes every year And it's just a cool thing to get involved in if you want to learn more about donation. It fires you absolutely Laurie It's one of my favorite fundraisers that we have of course I like to run I like to exercise some I got my running shoes ready and it's the only two I do it's awesome It's tomorrow.
It's in Lafayette It's the it's Ryan's run and we'll be having it at the taproom It's the second year that we've had it in Lafayette and we've got Susanna here who's the main one putting this on Hi, yeah, Suzanne is a community educator in the Lafayette area for Loeba the Louisiana Oregon procurement agency and this run is just amazing I've seen on Facebook a lot of people talking about it sharing information about it and it's happening tomorrow It is we're so excited. I can't believe it's already here. It's amazing how fast the year flies But we are super excited to be hosting this will be our second annual Ryan's run And out like though we said we've been doing this run now at least 15 years We've done it so many years now we kind of lost count but you know we've moved back and forth from Lafayette We ran off a list a couple years. Well now we're back in Lafayette We were super excited last year to partner with Godi Ferguson again and his cool place the taproom right there in River Ranch And so we're back there again this year.
We had nothing but good feedback from the run and the route last year So we kind of felt like in my band that is something yeah, and we kind of it's not straight down camellia So for people in Lafayette who are familiar, you know with where taproom is in River Ranch It's right there on Camille Boulevard. We actually do a scenic route kind of back on the other side of Camille Yeah, so you know it's very pretty it's really nice though. Lafayette Police Department comes to help us monitor that route So it's very safe. So, you know, we got a lot of good, you know feedback last year So we felt like you know be kind of crazy for us not to do the same thing again this year So we're excited.
We can't believe it's tomorrow everything's ready. We're all you know set to go So we just want those registrations, you know, we had our packet picked up yesterday I'll have a great turnout for that and then we want a lot of people, you know We're hoping the weather should be nice So we're hoping to pick up a few extra people tomorrow morning So and Suzanne I know that you also have both donor family members and recipients talk That's something that was very inspiring for everyone involved, isn't it? It really is Sally and you know, the cool thing about it is we have several donor families who form teams And it's always fun to watch kind of the friendly competition to see who can get the most family members and friends out there, you know And they're all celebrating their hero. Oh, so good.
Yeah, so I'm more excited. We've actually got three or four new teams this year So I'm really excited about that. We have a hospital partner who on how the team coming out this year We've got a couple of new donor families and then of course our returning families, you know We are just so grateful to have and then you know We have a tip in two come who are so so so thankful for these families and to watch all of them Just love on each other and you know socialize and talk about their heroes. It really is an amazing day That's what I love.
That's my favorite part. That's the inspiring partner puts everything into perspective for me Let's talk about it's called Ryan's run. So the family kind of behind this I help kind of get back to laugh yet And so Ryan the guitar became a hero. He became a donor in April of 2000 So it's been several years now, you know, and ever since his family really jumped on board with Loba and they have been incredible supporters of what we do in our community and not only have a you know shared his story countless countless times and Shared organ and tissue and I donation with so many people but financially they have also supported not just this run But every single event or fundraiser we have, you know, they're always willing to support or do whatever they can to help make it more successful So last year, you know, we were moving the race back to Lafayette and you know We kind of wanted to change and so we approached Ryan's family, you know We thought they have done so much for us, you know This is the least we could do to honor him and to say thank you for all they've done for us And so we decided tonight, right Ryan Ryan was very athletic.
He actually owned a gym. He is from Abbeyville, Louisiana And so, you know, he was very um, helped conscious and you know into the kind of stuff and so we just you know Found it sitting to name it after him, you know, so yeah, it's been very special for us And then of course his family is typically out there and they got their team So it's an incredible day honoring him along with all of our other heroes here, you know, and helping save lives and raise some awareness for donations And of course, you know He's been actually a big part of my growth in Loba when I first started He had just passed away and I was working in Abbeyville at the time right near where his gym was and he had quite a bit of friends and family that worked With me so it was an impact that I felt immediately, you know, when I started with Loba We are happy to honor him as our hero in our later segment coming up. Good luck with the run. It's always successful We hope the weather holds out for you.
It's gonna be great. Yeah, thank you. I too. We appreciate you promoting it on our podcast There you go Ryan's run if you want more information Loba org Maybe you want to volunteer info at Loba org and we can get that information to Susanna and we can put you to work Join with us guys In today's family support segment we talk laughter some of the things you don't think about when you're going through the grief process Humor laughter, right?
I mean most of the time when we think of death, it's a very serious thing We don't often think of humor and laughter as something that can be part of healing or adaptation So we're gonna be talking about it to Sally about then she's gonna explain a little bit about it Absolutely, right Joey, you know many people seem surprised and there's a misconception that you know by laughing somehow We might be dishonoring our loved one, but we all know deep down this could never be true and tears and laughter are very close And humor though it can help provide some relief for anxiety about death It also can help us cope as you just mentioned and adapt to the death of our loved one and basically, you know Sometimes when we all get stressed out and being able just to find some humor and laugh a little bit does help relieve that You know and she was both a defense mechanism in times of crisis and a tool for adapting along after event has happened But actually it's considered a mature defense mechanism alongside defenses like patients humility mindfulness tolerance and forgiveness And those are things we generally just don't think about when we think about you know as a defense mechanism But actually it is quite common to use laughter and times of grief because after you've been through so much sadness And you know just seriousness in the light of a traumatic loss many times person remember funny story about the individual And it feels good to remember if laughter and I know when we're talking with our donor families my co workers and myself I've heard many family members say you know I love doing what I want to be remembered with smile or if a happy story about his or her life So I think it's very appropriate even though at times we think it's not well a lot of times of Sally I've been to a lot of family and friends funerals and at the funeral home like I feel uneasy even in the break room You know or outside if someone says a joke or whatever, you know and there's a little bit of laughter I don't really know myself how I'm supposed to act like I kind of you know hide that because because of that very thing I'm afraid to look like I'm you know like I don't care Right and I think that you know because grief does have the ability to suck all the joy out of life and makes everything seems So sad that we're kind of led to believe that we shouldn't express You know a happy emotion and it's not that we are you know finding something that is not good It's that we feel that need to express our own way of dealing with the death of our loved one or someone close to us Or someone that's closest has lost someone Eventually though even though it takes a long time I think that people do learn how to smile again They do learn how to laugh and going back to what you're talking about at the funeral home. I've seen recently I've been to several different funerals lately where humor has been injected into the eulogy or by some of the family members So it's probably more just maybe an old perception that we should not find this But I think more and more so people are learning that celebrating their loved ones life means a lot more to them And to those around then you know keeping it so serious and I get this I lost my mom over 20 Years ago, so through time it got better, but remembering those good times those funny times I'm sharing those with my children and that just put a smile on my face. Oh absolutely right Yeah, I get this well And you know too I think that the greatest victory for someone who has you know lost someone they love dearly is that when you think about them that Your feelings aren't couched in sadness and and you know just yearning to see them and talk with them even though those thoughts are still there But now you're able or one is able to remember in a loving warm fun weird, you know generous crazy things that maybe you know They used to say or do and I know from my own experience with the death of loved ones that you grab hold of these thoughts when possible And refuse to let sadness and despair take control of only just for a fleeting moment So all that being said there is a book by Alan Klein titled learning to laugh when you feel like crying embracing life after loss That some of y'all may find very helpful in adapting because he does talk about the use of humor and what it can mean for you and your family After the loss of a loved one all right good to know Alan Klein learning to laugh when you feel like crying Embracing life after loss you heard something you want us to delve into a little bit more info at lopa.org It is now time to honor a hero We talked a little bit about this hero earlier in the podcast Ryan via tour as I said earlier his family has been a very close with Lopa They've been part of our family for the past 16 years now Ryan was born on August 30th Us 1979 and his mom says from birth our blonde hair hazel eyed baby boy was extraordinary He was loving and tender-hearted always willing to give to others He had a deep lap that was contagious to all who came into contact with him Ryan was adventurous enjoying the outdoors and riding dirt bikes and Harley's He was very mindful of staying healthy and being in shape at the age of 20 He was a proud owner of a local health club inspiring others in his community to live a healthy lifestyle On April 7th 2000 it began like every other south Louisiana day for Ren Viatore's family and Shoney his mom She talked to him on the phone had a normal conversation and a little did she know a few short hours later his young life would end Ryan's giving heart and love for life and others was made much more evident than ever before as he became a hero that day in the Miss of their incredible tragedy Ryan's family reached beyond their grief and asked about organ donation Ryan's liver and kidney saved the lives of three people that day Spent almost 16 years and his life continues to make an impact on his community His family has dedicated their lives to ensuring the public is better informed about the importance of our unit issue donation Each year we partner with Lopa as a major sponsor for Lopa's two largest fundraisers has shown and as Susanna, you know mentioned earlier That's been their life's passion. It's been an amazing thing for their family to be you know such a close-knit part of our family I think of the awareness because of this family You want to read more about Ryan's story you can visit our website Lopa dot org click on faces of donation I only can you read the story, but you can see that sweet baby boys face as well And let's take a moment and just say thank you to Ryan for the gift of life We have a question that came in for this question and answer segment how appropriate right Joe I was recently told my father needs a kidney transplant My sister and I would like to know the process to see if we are a match Is this something you could help us with or point us in the right direction?
Well, all right, we've just recently developed a new website or new local website We want you guys to come take a look at it. It's www.lopa.org. It's the same website But it's got different features. So once you get on to the local website You can see we've got a tab there donation facts And if you click on that we've got a living donation tab there And it's got a lot of basic information about living donation and we also there have links to each of the transplant centers locally that have Living donation as an option and they have a lot more information of course But it's generally encouraged if you do have you know kidney failure and you need a kidney transplant Or liver failure and you need a liver transplant oftentimes the best option You know initially is having a living donor and they will try to explore those options with you guys as a family first Because as we always say this you know there is a shortage there You know so as many people that can donate and of course with living relatives a lot of times It's even a better match oftentimes the kidneys and liver function even you know a little bit better that way So that's usually the first option that's gonna be offered It's oftentimes the better option and we've got quite a bit of information with the links there on our website lopa.org under donation facts Go on to the living donation tab.
So everyone if you have any questions Or comment email us at info lopa.org or you can also give us a call that number is five zero four six four eight three four seven seven And we might even play your message on our podcast. It's all about the more you know We have come to the close of yet another get-to-life podcast, which is pretty incredible And we've asked folks to call in right now absolutely and you know that phone number is five zero four six four eight three four seven seven Because the goal is for this podcast to be interactive. We want to hear from you What's going on where you are spread the word so we have a cutie petootie named Luke He is the son of a recipient and he called in let's hear what he has to say my mom is alive today Thanks to organ donation. My name is Luke.
I just wanted to say thank you for all y'all do spreading organizational awareness I know it saves lives as a son that loves his mother. I want to brag on my mom when he lives he she'll be dancing for her life on April 23rd And dancing with the stars big buddy program in Baton Rouge I can't wait to see her dance move also I'm it's cool that is coming up soon I recently recorded a public service announcement with my mother and Alex breggman former LSU baseball player in the second overall MLB draft picks and he's an Astros cannot wait for Louisiana to see our public service announcement soon everyone Please sign up to be an organ donor and get a heart on your life and today. It saves lives Sign up today sign up today team Loba, but we just heard from Luke and we're going to be there to watch his mom Wendy dancing with stars, but you know, it's kind of cool She is a year out from transplant, which is incredible So she said that you know, we're it's a secret her dance and everything But she's gonna be flipping and flopping and fluking and shaking her tail together So we are excited so it's just gonna be a great awareness for organization for those folks in the PMAC So it's April 23rd if you can meet us out there and then Alex breggman, you know about our guy. Yeah big baller He was wearing his ring bracelet when he got that multi-million dollar contract, you know, so anyway It's just all great all these people coming together to make life happen So we can't thank them enough I mean I guess yeah, of course we want to thank Melissa the vinnie of donate life America for filling us in almost happening this month For donate life a month and I own Susanna Martin for getting us up to speed on Ryan's run It's happening tomorrow.
You guys come cheer us on and run It's gonna be a good time And also thank you if you're listening right now and have told people about the podcast or have shared it with somebody Thank you because our numbers are climbing Joe. Yeah, Lori over 20,000 downloads 20,000 plus as I said, we're in almost every continent now We just need Australia to come in if you know someone else really can call them up Sally. That's your job. We're gonna go Thank you so much for listening Thank you so much for listening.
Thanks for spreading the word and thanks for helping us make life happen Go out today do something you don't normally do to help save lives. Have a good one