Hello and welcome to the Gifted Life podcast where we have conversations about organ, tissue and IO Nation. Thanks for tuning in. I'm Laurie Steele. I'm Joey Boudreau.
I'm Sally Gentry. And together we say thank you for tuning in. The Gifted Life let people know about us please. Coming up on this episode guys, Transplant Games 2016 Team Louisiana.
I know we're going to come back with some hardware. We're going to tell you all about it and you'll be able to follow along in the fun. Yeah and also in Studio Laurie we're going to have very special guests who are going to tell us a little bit of a preview about their trip to the Transplant Games. We're also going to talk about coping with grief in the workplace and that has more to do with our staff and how they handle grief of dealing with donor families on a regular basis.
We're honor a hero, take your questions and answers all here on this podcast. So a little bit of everything, something for everyone and we want people to hear. It's easy to find right? Definitely Laurie you can lip us up on iTunes, Google Play, Pocket Casts or whatever your favorite podcast app is.
Yeah someone was asking me, it was Joey's friend. We're not going to find this podcast. Ah, got an iPhone popping up. It's easy.
Yes search for the Gifted Life. Also social media. Really a lot of what we talk about are all of what we talk about is on Facebook so you can find us there. Yeah and pictures to kind of go along with what we're talking about and I was pretty close to this story.
We had a heart recipient just as a man who just graduated from high school. So he was a heart recipient, he was really sick for a couple of years there and then a donor saved his life. Mom never thought they would see this day where he's walking down to get his diploma but he did it and in his graduation cap was the name Christopher, the name of his donor. They had the red heart and then they had the lifeline and it was just so amazing and his the donor's favorite color was green so they had that in there as well.
So we have some pictures on our Facebook page donate life Louisiana, check it out, like it. Also follow us on Twitter and Instagram at donatelifeLA. We do want to hear from you. We want this to be interactive and you know everyone needs to know this number.
Okay. Five zero four six four eight three four seven seven five oh four six four eight thirty four seventy seven. We really want to hear from you. I told you one day I was seeing it.
It's sticking there. I like it. Yeah. So we make sure your audio on this podcast as well.
We just wanted to go as far as possible because our goal is to increase donor registries not only here in Louisiana but across the country to save more lives and you can be a part of that special and important mission. So let's get started in our community segment today. I'm excited. We are getting ready for a transplant games one T 16 Cleveland bound.
So we're sending a crew there. We're going to be following team Louisiana and then learning from folks from across the country and we're now joined by Mr. Gordon Bowen the CEO at Life Bank. He's a pretty busy guy around now.
Right. That's right. He's with Life Bank. Of course he's the CEO of Life Bank, Oregon Recovery Agency there in Cleveland and he's been busy promoting the transplant games of America.
Welcome aboard garden. Thank you for coming on. I was my to bring the transplant games here on June 10th through the 15th here in Cleveland. So we're expecting a big turnout record numbers and it's all about promoting an organization and showing the transplantation to success.
Well, we know that you've been busy getting ready for the games, but how did the games end up in your backyard? That was some hard work going into that too. Well, I think a couple of things and I think that we, you know, we're having the Cleveland Clinic University Hospital here. That's one of the key things to get the games you got to buy in from your transplant centers.
And I think the sports commission here in Cleveland is one of the top sports commissions in the country. So again, they had to be part of the bidding process and from an OPS standpoint, we were all in. And I think we're very fortunate too that we have three sister organizations in Cincinnati, Columbus and Endegan Toledo, along with I-Banks and tissue banks that make up Donate Life Ohio. So we, you know, this is an Ohio man.
This is not a Cleveland man. But so we had everyone buying early on. It's probably well over two years ago that we started this process. Tell us about registrations kind of leading up to the games because it's all about promoting organ, eye and tissue donations.
So what are you seeing having had this where you are? Well, I think, you know, data that we've gotten from transplant games of America is that we probably doubled the number of registrations that were in Houston two years ago. And I think what we what we find is there's a lot of participants that are organ recipients as well as tissue and corneal recipients as well as living donors that compete in these games. However, there's a huge following of donor families.
So that's what makes it all to me very special that for five days, you got donor families recipients being able to bond together to share life for those that receive to get to life and those are heroes. So you talked about the recipients. So is there a certain timeframe that they have to be out of the surgery? You know, is there like a one or two year timeframe where they can't take part in the games or or there are no limits?
Yeah, I think it's nine months. But again, you have to get signed up from, you know, of course, you're transplanting to allow you to do it. But I think it's at least nine months. I do have a question for you about the goal for Ohio with the games.
Is this for building your registry? Tell me a little bit more about that. Games of America. I mean, clearly the goal is to transplant games, but the other thing is to increase organics tissue donor registrations across the country.
So of course, we want to do that as well. You know, Ohio, we've had an established registry since 2002. So our current registered donors is approaching 60%. But for us, one of the things that I think was kind of a type record for us is our role in the multicultural minority community and what can we do to bring events and activities to Cleveland that would promote that as well.
And we have a couple of events. And again, you can go to the website, transplantgamesofamerica.org to get more information or you can go to our LifeBank.ly at PBA and C.org to get more information as well about the Cleveland OPO and stuff. But again, we're doing a multicultural music fest featuring Javier Colón, who was the winner of Season One of the Voice. We're also doing a pastoral luncheon with face-to-face leaders.
There'll be also sponsors and workshops at the Cleveland Convention Center where there'll be some of those topics we'll be promoting African-American and multicultural activities as well. And again, I think, you know, for us, we have a high African-American population here in Cleveland area, so whatever we can do to get the word out and increase and promote organization and that's what we're all about. So we're excited that we're able to do that as well. Well, I'm smiling because I'm out in the community and I'm thinking about all these people being in your area and just getting folks to listen to those stories that has to have quite the impact.
So I'm thinking media, social media, those are all the things that you guys are rolling out. You've already started, I'm sure. We're starting life Ohio. We have a media buy for the whole state.
So we've got transplant games. And again, it was kind of cool because we were able to pull recipients from all of our service areas and make individual commercials. So those have been airing for quite some time. In Cleveland, again, we've used our local IBank, and we've done a big tour run across the state, which started in January in Cleveland, and then went down to Dayton and Toledo, down to Cincinnati, back up to Columbus and just got back to Cleveland last week.
And we took it through the transplant centers last week. So again, it's just getting the word out. And I'll tell you at the game, the five days here, there'll be live at the TGA. So there'll be live spots during that time promoting the organ-ion tissue donation process, as well as what we're trying to do here.
And then again, we have our own social media outlets. We're all about to get started. And we're all about to get started. And we're all about to get started.
And we're all about to get started. And again, we're all about to get started. And again, we're all about to get started. What we're trying to do here.
And then again, we have our own social media outlets. We're all over the place here in the Cleveland area putting out messaging every day. And I think it'll even pick up even more as we get closer to the game. So I think we've done a pretty good job with that.
And again, I think the podcast, for example, is a perfect example of how we can get it out nationally. So thank you guys for doing that. And Cleveland is a wonderful city. I've been there a couple of times.
How many people are you guys expecting to have as far as a registration? You mentioned Double earlier. We're probably going to be competitive non-compatitors with members as well. I think there was probably a little bit of half of that in the Houston games.
So again, it could be higher than that. But I will tell you that we know that we probably have doubled the numbers so far. And again, we've got another week or two worth of opportunities for people to sign up. So we're excited about that.
And it's going to be a lot going on. We're excited to be able to host the games here. And again, it's kind of cool to bring in tissue and cornea recipients too. And see what we can do with that as well because there's, you know, they're heroes as well.
And they're recipients. And it's nice to share those stories. I am excited. We're bringing a podcast crew there.
So we're going to be bringing home those stories and sharing those nationally as well. But look, you can follow along not only on our Facebook page, which is Donate Life, Louisiana, but also look up LifeBank, LifeBanc.org. And as Gordon has mentioned, transplantgamesofamerica.org, lots of information there. So Gordon, we know you're busy.
We appreciate you taking the time out. And we know it's hard work, but must be rewarding. It was very, very honorable work. And we're so glad to be able to bring heroes as well as all of the individuals that received those organs from the heroes Cleveland for a five day event.
And you won't be bored. There's something going on all the time. And the event schedule can be filed at Transplant Games.org as well. And it's being updated daily.
So we're so excited about it and a lot going on in that five day event. All right. Thanks, Gordon. And I'm on the Transplant Games right here.
Okay, guys. We just talked about the preps for Transplant Games 2016. Now we want to introduce you to some of Team Louisiana. These guys will be representing us at the Transplant Games.
I'm so excited to be able to studio full. We have Ms. Kim Black. Hey, how you doing today?
So by day, heart transplant social worker at Oshner. And by night, our team, Louisiana, co-lead. How are you? I'm doing good.
I'm tired. I'm ready to go to the games. We're all ready to go to the games. We also have Mr.
Tyrone Cooper, heart recipient from 2011. How are you sir? I'm fine. Second visit to the games.
Yes, it is. Are you a metal holder? Yes. No, yes.
With a big smile. I love that. We're going to hear a good story. And then we have Mr.
Warren, winnington, recipient of a kidney pancreas transplant in 2010. How are you? I'm fine. Is it your first visit?
Yeah, I'm a rookie. A rookie. A future gold metal holder. Oh, I like that.
I like that. Okay. So what have you heard about the Transplant Games? Because obviously your friends and on this team with folks who have been before.
Good stuff. Well, it was great stuff. There's a lot of competition that I never shy away from. And it was, I guess, very interesting to see that other people with transplants are out there competing and not letting them have a transplant stop.
And that's where a lot of people think, oh, you had a transplant, you're sick. It's not really there. Like goes on. We're here to prove it.
Well, I'm going to tell you what games these guys are participating in. But Ms. Kim, I'm going to start with you. Because as one of the leads of Team Louisiana, we set out with certain goals.
We want to increase our registry. We want to motivate these guys, which, by the way, I've heard you're a motivator, supporter, cheerleader, tireless worker, amazing volunteer. All these great things. You're a good girl.
And then is there a gold metal in your path? There is. I'm four by two hundred three-cell metal winner from the Sydney Games in 2000. Do you guys know that?
Yes. And I impress it? Like they're like, yes, why she's our leader? We're going to get some gold, too.
I love it. All right. So talk about your motivation for getting involved. And what you hope these guys take away from games?
So I've worked up Poshner for the last five and a half years. And in that time, I have become keenly aware about the shortage of working donors. You know, I've had a lot of my patients die waiting. You guys know the statistics, 22 people die every day.
And so became passionate originally about it on that side. And so I think that's because of my background athletically, I've realized the importance of exercise and the importance of the community that that provides. And so, you know, the transplant games ended up transforming my athletes in a way that I didn't anticipate, you know, really kind of changed them from having that kind of patient view to really claiming their identity as athletes and their mission to help spread awareness. Wow.
And you also challenged them to increase our registry, which they're doing. They're continuing to do. Yeah. They're doing a great job at it.
You know, I think a lot of people decide to be organ donors in part because they hear about their personal stories. And you know, these guys all have stories and really powerful stories. And we have a lot of three donor families that are also going to the transplant games and they have stories and some of the biggest feelings that I've seen have been when those donor families have gotten to meet some of their recipients and vice versa. Yeah.
And so one of the donor families attending their loved ones saved your life, right, Tyrone? Yes. All right. So the hero is...
What's his name? Darryl DuPren. Yeah, the big smile on your face. You're going to honor him, right?
Yes. That's part of what the game is all about honoring these donors and their families. Right. So tell us a little bit about him.
I know that the family went with you last time you went to the game. Yes. All right. So tell us a little bit about that.
Yeah. My family, my donor family, we pretty close the net and probably talk to this part. So the interfamily. Yeah.
There's another family. No more kids, more grandkids. You know, it's kind of unique the way to happen, but you know, it's awful for them, but happy when I was high, but indeed they are happy for me, you know, when I first met them. So, you know, they kind of surprised...
One of the daughters kind of surprised me in Houston. So she's coming again to Cleveland and the mom and the dad, they travel almost everywhere with us most of the time. Come to church when we have events for our kids or we go there. So it's pretty exciting.
That's great. And so on our YouTube channel so you can search for Lopa or Don't Like Louisiana, they can actually see your story from the first transplant game run in that donor family with you, which is pretty incredible. And Warren, you have an incredible story about your donor because you all just met a couple of weeks ago, right? Yes.
The donor family. So tell us about your donor, his name. His name is Jamie Robinson. Yeah.
And ironically, but I guess God's will, I was once his teacher. So what does it mean? You're going to the transplant games. What do you want everybody to get out of that story?
Me going to the transplant games. It means a lot to me, for me to have a great opportunity to serve people and being healthier. And I talked to my donor's mother and woman has a great heart. I mean, she's very kind.
And she says she's kind of struggled with donation at first. The social workers kind of helped her and led her to realize that they would take care of her son as if he was still here. And that was very important to her. And going to the transplant game, I was going to honor him because he was a kind of young man that lost his life tragically too soon.
But to be able to go and represent them, it's a great honor. That's kind of what it's all about, fucking. Toughness. And so these guys have not only been prepping for the games, and you must be pretty proud because they got a list.
So Tyrone, so Captain of the Basketball team. Yes. Okay, we're going to see some hardware coming home. I hope you do a tennis, swimming, volleyball, healthy man, heart recipient, 2011.
I'm so proud. So you feel good? Yeah. Yeah.
Team Louisiana is ready. Yes. You smile. I love it.
I love the basketball team, co-capped in a tennis, table tennis and darts. Yes. Awesome. So you guys ready?
Oh, yeah. So not only getting ready for those games, but they've also been working in the industry. So I've been saying, so give back nights. I've been held across the state, right?
And so tell us what you guys have been doing in your church. You hosted a movie night, but to get the word out to save more lives like yours. So tell us what you guys have been doing. Well, my pastor, Reverend Rotten your gentleman, he told me to give me a shout out.
So, well, my pastor has been after us because we had two brothers that, one of the younger brothers donated a kidney to the older brother. So that kind of initiated and insulted us. So we wanted to get to donate a life event and we did the wish moving one Saturday with Cheryl and Nicole, you know, that kind of help. And I think the game's really, I'm going to the game the first time and I'm sure Warren will see that.
I want to say it for him because it kind of initiates you more to want to have people to register. So that kind of like the big eye opener, you know, we also have, we had two dress down at Honeville High School in RK Smith Middle School. The kids didn't dress down and donated the money for the teens, you know. They got to go by a lot.
Oh, and it's all culminating with the transplant game. It's amazing. And I wish I could see what they're wearing because these guys are proud. So we have a team Louisiana sheriff, donate that.
We got a team Louisiana, you know, my boss is wearing a team Louisiana and Troy. So we are heavily represented. And of course the podcast will be they are getting these stories, bringing them back. So these are only two of Team Louisiana, right?
So two folks. So tell us about our crew that we're bringing to represent us in Cleveland. So we have about 28 athletes, which includes organ recipients of both liver, lung, kidney, and heart. Three of those are donor families.
See what the donor families are actually connected with our two or athletes that are going. And then we have finally have our first cornea race at the end as well. So kind of highlighting both the importance of organ and the issue and I donation this part of the mission of transplant games. But we all know and I know you guys know that it takes a lot of help to coordinate and to pay for everything to get folks to Cleveland to compete and all that.
So we have to thank sponsors who saw what a worthwhile event this was and what we're doing here in Louisiana, right? Yeah, certainly. There's been a lot of people behind the scenes. We have a really strong steering committee that has representation of both the Boschner staff and also local and legacy.
We also have my co-manager, Debbie Dumasic, who has also been essential in terms of... Who are your names to you guys? Yes. Essential in terms of partnering to kind of lead this team.
And then we have a bunch of sponsors and agencies that have really backed us up both from 2014 and some new ones here in 2015. So if you go to our website, which is teamluisianaTGA.com, and you'll see all of our sponsors listed there as well. But particularly we want to give a shout out to our Golden Silver sponsors, Boschner, AirMed, Local Lipses, Southern Eye Bank, DBA Barrie Tutoring donated in honor of Cyrus Barker and Herdie X, and has also been one of our major sponsors. So we are just so thankful for them and just helping these athletes to both go and represent Louisiana and then also just continue to spread awareness and play abroad.
One thanks to you because I hear that you're great and you do a lot of this on your downtime on your own time. So it's really important to you. It's just really cool. Yeah, it's been...
I mean, definitely one of the most inspiring things that I've been part of since I've been a Boschner and all these athletes are like family to me as well. And it's been an amazing experience to see them from... Many of them, particularly on the hard side, I worked with prior to their transitience. I always do that in a second, not being able to walk through distances and now be able to play sports.
Yeah, I like that. Well, I'm going to be going to the Transplant Games. We're going to do some podcasts, stuff, some YouTube stuff. So everybody can see and that's our goal too.
So let everybody know how you guys do. So I'm excited to watch off the heat. Thank y'all so much. Thank you very much.
Team Louisiana, give me a one, two, three. Team Louisiana! It is now time for our family support segment in the Sally's Gonna Lead the Way. And today we're talking about coping with grief in the workplace in the cell.
You know, one of the things that we talk about is medical professionals and by that I'm talking about more hospice workers, emergency and critical care staff. And more specifically, our staff, when you know you're working with grief on a daily basis, some of the things that we've thought about was what do you do as that individual working in this particular field? How do you handle that grief? Because it's day in and it's day out and sometimes it can be overwhelming.
Sometimes I think that we all can become more emotionally involved. This kind of depends on who and what in the circumstances. And we just kind of try to focus at least at times on how can we be a healthier group of people when this is something that we do every day. And how do we develop a little bit more detached concern, if you will?
That means not that we don't care anymore or any less about what happens, but how are we able to handle our own personal feelings? So Joey, you've been in this a good while too. You mind sharing a little bit about what happens for you? Certainly.
You know, you talked about the detached concern and I can say specifically from my own circumstances in the past, I had a lot of trouble with that. You know, especially my first few years, two or three years as a coordinator, you know, this is of course 15 years ago or so. But that was a difficult task for me. That was a lot of times where, you know, I had so many special families, but there was certain ones that would stick with me for a little bit.
And it was hard for me to turn that off. And I've learned through different things through courses, through of course talking to you guys and our family services that you've got to have that certain amount of detached concern that goes with it. And I've been able to kind of change that to at least, you know, turn it off from me an hour or so before I go to bed and an hour or so after I wake up just to have some time, my personal preference, I like to do a lot of exercise, kind of clears my mind, you know, especially right before I go to bed and again, you know, when I wake up to kind of reinvigorate me for the day. And then another thing that, you know, to be able to have, you know, my wife is in the healthcare as well.
So she can tell sometimes when, you know, things are a little more difficult, you know, maybe we've had a run of more challenging cases and she can see that oftentimes because of the work that she does and oftentimes kind of innately or I guess, you know, throughout her nursing, you know, understands that this is a time that she needs to kind of pick me up and does that. So you're very fortunate that you have someone that is familiar with what you do. And you know, you have a better understanding than you do. I know I talk to several other of our staff and I just asked them that question.
What do you do? How are you able to do this on a daily basis? And you know, we talked about this previously about having humor and most of the folks said, you know, we find something like whether it's a comedy to watch, whether it's just something that is not quite as in depth and intense. That's what we're doing daily.
We do want to support our families every single one of them, but we also know too that they have their families, they have their own support systems. And so we just want them to know for that brief moment in time that we are there for them. And I think that for them being able to realize and accept that is probably a really healthy way for staff to work with families. I know exercise is one of the things that most of them talk about.
They like to do spending time with their families, with children, with their pets, you know, a couple of them said they like to do fishing, they like to be out on the water or working outside of the yard. It just kind of takes them away from everything that's going on. It's so intense during the day. But I think too that it takes a special individual to work in this particular field or in the field of the medical field when you are dealing with death on a regular basis.
And so for people to be able to do that and remain healthy both mentally and physically can be a challenge. But I think that thanks to our staff, our management staff, that we're able to find that there are ways that, you know, there's a big focus on taking care of yourself. So I think that's most important. I know we could go on about, you know, what all does that mean, but just an overview of what our people do, I think makes a difference.
I agree. We definitely do as much as we can to provide that work-life balance so that our staff can provide the most support for that family within that time. And I would also like to share with you a couple of websites that you may want to go to. One of them is christywest.com.
It's K-R-I-S-T-I-E-W-E-S-D. Another one is the American Mental Health Counselor's Association. And that's www.amhca.org. And you can also call us at 504-648-3477 for resources.
Or you can certainly send us an email at familyservices.lopa.org and we'll be glad to provide a list of resources for you to access that you may find will be helpful for you in the future. All good to know. Thanks, Dolly. In the podcast, we'd like to honor a hero.
Today, we focus on Carl Lipoint. This story comes to us from his wife. It says in September of 2015, it was a normal day just like any other. Little did I know our lives would change later that day.
That morning would be the last time I hugged, kissed, and saw my husband awake. I talked to him at 440 that afternoon. He was running late from work when he called me to say, I love you. I'll see you soon.
Around 545, I called Carl to see how much longer he would be. He had an answer. Carl always answered his phone. I started to worry.
The Sheriff's Department showed up at the door. I began to panic. My first thought was that Carl had been an accident. On getting to the hospital, my reality was far worse.
Carl had been found in cardiac arrest and unresponsive. Walking into the ER was like a dream I couldn't wake up from. All I heard the doctor say was, Mrs. Lipoint, you need to call your family.
My husband, the love of my life best friend and soulmate, was dying. Eight years ago, Carl decided to become an organ donor. So on September 18, 2015, when he passed away, that's just what he did. I honored Carl's wishes, and he became the hero I always knew he was.
Carl saved five people when he donated life. We take comfort in knowing he lives on in the five people he saved. We love and miss him. Again, that is from his wife.
You can read more. You can see pictures of Carl and his wife on our website, lopa.org. Click on the heroes tab. Not only can you read and learn more about Carl, but other heroes as well.
It's an incredible way to honor those silent heroes. Yes, it is. And at this time, we'd like to pause and say thank you to Carl Appoint, the gift of life. It is question and answer time here on the gift of life.
And remember, if you want to interact with us, info at lopa.org. That's where we got this question, Joe. When I got my driver's license, I was asked if I wanted to be an organ donor. I said yes.
I recently was told that wasn't enough. And I had to register through the Louisiana organization, I don't register. I registered just in case, but can you confirm that signing up at the DMV is not enough to become an organ donor? That's a question.
That's a great question, Laurie. That's one that we get often. And in fact, all you need is that little red heart on your license. Beautiful red heart on your license.
So if you sign up at the DMV or if you've come on to our website, lopa.org, either way, once you sign up, you're in the registry. But here's the thing. Share your wishes with your family. Have that conversation.
Most of our donor family say it was a 10 second conversation. It was a 22nd because they saw something in a movie and they wanted their families to know we need you to have that conversation so that we can make life happen. So go out, but that heart on your license if you haven't already. And don't wait until the next time you have to go to renew.
You can always go to lopa.org and you can sign up today. Thanks for the question. Info at lopa.org. If you have something, you want to find our way.
You can also give us a call. 504-648-3477. We'd love to hear from you. Another episode of the gifted life in the books, guys.
Good one. Yeah. Yeah, Laurie. We want to give a special thanks to Garden Bowen out of Life Bank for coming on and sharing a little bit about what they did in hosting or the Transma games.
And of course, while I'm doing that, I'd like to thank the other three OPOs in Ohio for putting in such good efforts that's a lot that goes into it. So certainly we don't want to leave those guys out. Team Mark, yeah. And then we want to give a special thanks to Kim Black, Tyrone Cooper and Warren Whittington for representing us, Team Louisiana there.
I'm sure they're going to have a great time this week and I can't wait to hear the stories that come out of it. And you know, it's just going to be so inspirational to find out how they do and to watch them honoring their donor families. What a wonderful tribute. Yeah.
And I love these guys. I love their stories. I love that one of the donor families able to attend to watch the recipient. So we're going to have all this for you and more not only here on the Gifted Life and our social media sites as well as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, keeping you in the know you'll want to follow these stories and we hope it motivates you to go out and do something that you don't normally do to help make life happen.
Have a good one.