All Episodes - This Thing Called Life

EP 114: A Heart for Hadlee: A Story of Hope, Healing, and a Grateful Heart with Jon and Felicia Rohman

Episode Summary In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jon and Felicia Rohman to share the remarkable journey of their daughter Hadlee, who underwent a life-saving heart transplant in 2020—right amid a global pandemic. What began as a terrifying health issue became a testimony of faith, resilience, and appreciation for the incredible gift of life. Years later, Hadlee is thriving, healthy, joyful, and full of gratitude. Join us as Andi Johnson interviews the Rohmans, who open up about their challenges, the community that rallied around them, and the beautiful, beating heart of their daughter’s second chance at life.   ✨ Episode Highlights Andi Johnson welcomes Jon and Felicia Rohman, a husband-and-wife team and proud parents of four. The conversation centers around Hadlee, their third child, who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Felicia recounts Hadlee’s birth in 2017 and the significant right-sided heart failure she experienced by late 2019, which made organ donation the only viable option. Jon discusses the mental and emotional preparation required as they faced the reality of a potential heart transplant. The couple acted quickly, getting Hadlee placed on the transplant list in January 2020. She received her new heart on May 28, 2020—coincidentally, their son’s birthday. Jon reflects on the emotional toll of the process, including a failed donation and navigating the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Felicia shares the complexity of maintaining infection control while managing the needs of their other children. During this time, Jon resigned from his job to be with Hadlee full-time at the hospital. Jon honors Felicia’s strength as she worked two jobs—80 hours a week—while homeschooling and caring for their children at home amid the pandemic. Today, Hadlee is flourishing with a new baby sister and enjoys activities such as swimming, soccer, and dancing. The Rohmans express deep gratitude to the donor family, highlighting the life-changing impact of the transplant. Felicia reflects on how their faith sustained them through hardship and the emotional conversations they had with their children. The couple emphasizes the vital importance of organ donation and the hope it brings to families in need. Jon encourages other families to lean into their communities and be open to receiving help. They also speak to the power of social media in spreading Hadlee’s story and building a network of support. The Rohmans express appreciation for organizations such as Donate Life and Network For Hope for amplifying their journey and giving them a platform to share. 📝 Key Takeaways The Rohmans candidly share their daughter Hadlee’s powerful story of survival through a heart transplant during the global pandemic. They reflect on their mental and emotional journey as parents navigating uncertainty, especially at the height of COVID-19. Their testimony highlights the sacrifices they made, their unwavering faith, and the critical support of their community, family, and social media network.   Tweetable Quotes:   “At the beginning of 2020, she started to have a pretty significant right-sided heart failure. So really, at that point, our only hope was organ donation and transplant.” - Felicia Rohman “They said she was one of the quickest to be put on the transplant list — So January, 2020, and then she actually had her transplant, May 28 of 2020, which is ironically our son's birthday.” - Felicia Rohman “I don't think I fully appreciated everything that she (Felicia) was doing while I was in the hospital with Hadlee. But with me having quit my job, she was working two jobs, 80 hours a week, with the other two kids at home, navigating COVID, and then having to do homeschooling, and everything else in that capacity.” - Jon Rohman “There were a lot of tears on the way back home because they didn't understand the full magnitude of everything that was going on. But yeah, I think just supporting each other and just kind of trying to maintain some sense of normalcy through things with our faith, it is really kind of what got us through.” - Felicia Rohman “It just gives hope, not only to the recipient families, but as those things are going on, hope that something better can come out of it and and to just be able to acknowledge that you can see good following a storm.” - Felicia Rohman Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 113: "Living in the Moment: Zach Wells on Overcoming Adversity and the Gift of Hope"

Episode Summary In this inspiring episode, Zach Wells a TV sports anchor shares his incredible journey of receiving a kidney donation from his brother. Zach opens up about the unexpected news that his kidney was failing and the challenges he faced battling kidney disease, and the profound lessons he learned about hope, resilience, and the importance of prioritizing health. Tune in as Zach offers a raw and honest conversation about overcoming adversity and the power of family, health, and seizing the moment.     Episode Highlights Zach Wells was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2007 and experienced a gradual decline in kidney function before receiving a transplant in 2018. He recalls the moment he first learned something was wrong—his wife left him a message from a business trip, urging him to check his test results after his doctor raised concerns about his creatinine levels. Determined to manage his condition, Zach relied on diet, exercise, and medication but ultimately knew that a transplant was the best path forward. Before his diagnosis, Zach was a self-proclaimed workaholic, often neglecting his health in favor of his career. He later realized that without prioritizing his well-being, his time was limited. He reflects on the physical toll of kidney disease—the fatigue, nausea, and other symptoms—while balancing parenthood and work responsibilities. Throughout his journey, Zach found unwavering support from his wife, Caroline, and his family, which made all the difference. His brother turned out to be a perfect donor match, bringing renewed hope and gratitude. Zach discusses the emotional and physical impact of his illness, the dedication of his medical team, and the perspective he gained through this experience. Inspired by Zach’s story, Andi sheds light on the kidney transplant crisis and the need for greater awareness about living donors. Prospective donors undergo rigorous screening, but their generosity can transform the lives of over 100,000 people currently on the transplant waitlist. When asked for advice to men facing kidney disease or dialysis, Zach encourages them to stay present, be patient, and stay committed to their medical care and fitness routines. He highlights the importance of hope, scientific advancements, and the skilled professionals who make transplants possible. Zach expresses deep gratitude for his transplant surgeon, doctors, and everyone who played a role in his recovery.   Key Takeaways Zach’s journey with kidney disease began in 2007, leading to a transplant in 2018. His initial reluctance to seek medical care due to work commitments taught him a valuable lesson about balance and self-care. The support of his family, medical team, and a generous kidney donation from his brother gave him a second chance at life. He now finds joy in the little things and is committed to raising awareness about kidney disease and transplantation. Tweetable Quotes:   “So about managing the disease, doing everything I could to be as healthy as I could, drink as much water as I could, have the best diet that I possibly could, knowing that probably the chances of this reversing, the chances of this having a better outcome, were not going to be a very high so it's a long road.” - Zach Wells “I think transplants really reward the patient. They reward the dutiful, they reward the optimistic.” - Zach Wells “I was a workaholic. All I thought about was work. And I thought that I can't deal with this or go to the doctor, because that's going to interfere with my work schedule. But I learned very quickly that if I didn't get balance and prioritize this as another full-time job, that I wasn't going to be around very long.” - Zach Wells “I was not feeling well at all. I was run down. I had like, bags under my eyes. I would randomly sweat, I felt nauseous.” - Zach Wells “I think that that's one of the many areas where I've been so lucky, is just having an incredible support network of people that have really helped me. That's amazing.” - Zach Wells “What I want to do is, like, really draw attention to the fact that this is an incredibly solvable problem. Yes, like the people that are waiting, like, the waiting list is over 100,000.” - Zach Wells Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 112: Building Legacy: Means Cameron on Entrepreneurship, Community, and Organ Donation

Episode Summary In this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi Johnson interviews Means Cameron, a successful entrepreneur from Cincinnati and the founder of the clothing brand BlaCkOWned™ Outerwear. Means shares the inspiration behind launching BlaCkOWned™ Outerwear in 2011, influenced by his cultural experiences and the importance of representation. He discusses the significance of community ownership, legacy, and his personal connection to organ donation. Cameron highlights the impact of organ donors on his friends' lives, including a fraternity brother who received a kidney transplant. He also addresses common misconceptions about organ donation within the Black community, emphasizing the need for education, trust, and personal storytelling to make the topic more relatable. The discussion underscores the power of local narratives in raising awareness about organ donation and encourages open conversations within families and communities. Episode Highlights Origins of BlaCkOWned™ Outerwear: Means Cameron shares how the brand was born out of his desire to embrace identity, cultural heritage, and community pride. Meaning Behind the Brand Name: "BlaCkOWned™ wasn’t just about a Black-owned business—it was about owning who we are as a people, our culture." Legacy and Impact: Means expresses his vision for his legacy: "Fostering Black creativity and dialogue, and showing people they have options." Connection to Organ Donation: Means discusses his personal experiences with organ donation, including friends and family members who have received transplants. He highlights the challenges of mistrust and misinformation about organ donation in the Black community. Addressing Misconceptions: Many individuals fear that becoming an organ donor could put their lives at risk in medical settings. In reality, only 1% of registered organ donors pass in a way that allows for organ donation, while thousands remain on transplant waiting lists. The Importance of Storytelling: Means emphasizes the need to humanize the organ donation process by sharing real-life experiences to build trust and awareness. Encouraging Open Dialogue: Andi asks Means how he would approach someone hesitant about organ donation. Means stresses the importance of respecting different perspectives while sharing personal experiences to help others make informed decisions. Final Reflections: Andi expresses gratitude for the meaningful discussion and appreciates Means’ insights on business, legacy, and organ donation advocacy.   Key Takeaways: Means Cameron’s journey as an entrepreneur reflects his deep commitment to identity, community, and legacy.  His personal experiences with organ donation have fueled his advocacy for increasing awareness and addressing misconceptions. Andi and Means then dig deeper into educating ourselves and others about how organ donation can help address mistrust and save lives and the importance of humanizing the organ donation process by sharing personal stories and the faces who make it more relatable and trustworthy. Tweetable Quotes:   “Cincinnati needed something for the culture, something that spoke to our culture, to give us something to be proud about, to speak about our heritage, and for not to just be in private rooms, but for us to be able to take it out into the world. “ - Means Cameron “So the idea of BlaCkOWned™ came out of me, wanting to have ownership of who I am and never losing it.” - Means Cameron “And so BlaCkOWned™ wasn't just about a black-owned business. It was about owning who we are as a people, our culture and the name black owned, just came to me. “ - Means Cameron “One of the most challenging things in our community is that we believe that if we become organ donors, that someone is going to take our organs if we ever are sick or in a doctor's bed and our life is on the line.” - Means Cameron “ I guess the best thing I can do for anyone that is on the fence is just to share with them my own experiences. “ - Means Cameron Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 111: Día Nacional del Donante y Salud del Corazón (National Donor Day and Heart Health)

This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/

EP 110: Transforming Organ Procurement Through Innovation Outreach and Leadership with Joel Chase

In this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi Johnson sits down with Joel Chase, Vice President of Organ Services at Network for Hope, to discuss his role and how it has evolved following a recent merger. Joel shares insights into the integration of two smaller Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) into Network for Hope, the strategic changes that followed, and how he is leading a growing team. Joel walks through the organ donation process, from the initial referral to organ recovery, emphasizing the importance of supporting donor families, transplant recipients, and OPO staff who navigate these complex and life-changing moments. He also reflects on his career journey, the challenges of balancing leadership with personal life, and the impact of medical advancements on the field of organ donation.   Episode Highlights: Joel’s Role & the Organ Donation Process: He oversees the entire donation process, from organ referral and evaluation to allocation and recovery. Navigating Growth Post-Merger: The transition from 32 full-time employees at Legacy Life Center to over 90 at Network for Hope has required new leadership strategies. Evolving Case Timelines: The duration of cases has expanded from 24 to over 50 hours, depending on testing and logistical challenges. What Drives Joel: He is motivated by mission-driven work, helping people, and witnessing his team’s success. Biggest Leadership Challenge: Time management in an organization that never stops and balancing work with family life. Leadership Philosophy: Leading with openness, support, and grace while prioritizing an inclusive leadership style. Memorable Moments: Joel shares a powerful story of how a leader’s critical decision helped save three lives, a defining learning experience in his career. Public Awareness: He encourages open conversations about organ donation with loved ones and addresses concerns from those hesitant to register. Key Takeaways: Leadership in Organ Donation: Joel shares insights into leading a non-profit OPO, managing growth, and the importance of learning through challenges ("failing forward"). The Organ Donation Process: Understanding how OPOs evaluate, allocate, and recover organs while collaborating with hospitals to ensure successful transplants. Encouraging Public Awareness: Addressing misconceptions about organ donation and why open conversations with family are essential. Tweetable Quotes:   “I've always been fascinated with medicine, so you get to kind of play nurse or doctor without necessarily having to have the license. So I thought that that was just a great, intriguing career.” - Joel Chase “We are there to help facilitate, to make donation happen in the best way possible, and in these 24 hour shifts that a lot of the team members are working and all the things that they're doing, it's very hard to expect perfection when a lot of staff want to do their best all the time, and it's just not possible. We're all humans, and we have to have some grace for each other too.” - Joel Chase “I think that we should learn from our experiences, whether they're good or bad. If we don't learn from them, then I think that's more of a failure. Otherwise, it's an opportunity to improve and do better the next time. So I definitely like that mindset, and it kind of ties into knowing that we're not perfect people, and I don't think we're ever going to have a perfect A to Z case” - Joel Chase “It's the OPOs job to evaluate the patient's medical record and their current clinical condition for organ donation potential. A lot of times that could mean that the patient ends up surviving their injury, and they go through the rehabilitation process” - Joel Chase Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 109: "Novedades y unas becas"

This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/

EP 108: Say Yes To Registering To Be An Organ, Tissue and Eye Donor In 2025

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode, we talk with Lincoln Ware from WDBZ the Buzz of Cincinnati talk station. Resources https://registerme.org/ https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 107: Take The First Step To Help Others Who Need An Organ, Tissue Or Eye Transplant

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode, we talk with Don Juan from 100.3 FM Cincy's R&B station in Cincinnati. Resources https://registerme.org/ https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 106: The Donation Coordinator's Responsibility within the Donation Process of the Organ Procurement Organization, with Christienne King

Episode 106: The Donation Coordinator's Responsibility within the Donation Process of the Organ Procurement Organization, with Christienne King   During this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson talks about the donation process from the OPO (Organ Procurement Organization) lens. This week, Andi is speaking with Christenne King. She is the Senior Donation Coordinator. She meets family in very difficult times. Tune in to hear about her experiences as it relates to the important process of organ donation.  Episode Highlights:  Many people believe that organ, eye, and tissue donation is just a service of the hospital but Andi shares how it is much bigger than that and requires the collaboration of many. Christenne has been with the Life Center for over 20 years and is currently the Senior Donation Coordinator. She explains her role as one of the individuals who handles the evaluation, medical management, organ placement, and logistics of the operating room for an organ donation. Andi asks Christenne to share what kind of training and background is required to do work as she does. Christenne shares her personal experience with organ donation about her sister, Adrienne King who had epilepsy and cerebral palsy. What does brain dead mean? Christenne shares facts that listeners may not be aware of. She explains the difference between that and a vegetative state or coma. Organ donation and the education around it have grown significantly over the years.  Christenne explains her connection to Network For Hope and how meaningful it has been to her on several levels. Christenne put herself to paramedic school and applied as an organ coordinator. Andi asks Christenne how she prepares for her day and meeting with families in desperate times.  What happens at the bedside to evaluate potential organ donation? Christenne shares that some cases have changed her forever and how it has been a blessing. What goes into supporting the families who are in contact with them? Andi talks about how COVID-19 caused many people to reflect and seek more meaningful jobs. Andi asks Christenne to share what a typical workday looks like for a donation coordinator.  Logistics and time frames are very important in the process; Christenne explains. A lot of communication is required for this job because of the many pieces that must come together. An average case lasts about 72 hours so that the right thing is accomplished with the donor. Christenne talks about when organ gifts are placed in other locations. The donation coordinators are very passionate about giving each individual the best preservation options. Have you thought about registering to be a donor? Find out more at https://lifepassiton.org/ 3 Key Points Christenne shares her personal experience with organ donation when her sister, Adrienne King passed away and saved several other lives. Organ donation happens through the collaboration of many. Andi and Christenne talk through the organ coordinator role and the piece it is in the overall process. Emotional taxation is high in the role that Christenne has. She talks about the challenges, and blessings, and how she perseveres through them.    Tweetable Quotes: “Organ, eye, and tissue donation does not happen without collaboration.” -Andi “There are intricacies of this life-giving, life-saving process.” -Andi “When someone has been deemed as potential to help someone through donation, a donation coordinator will be onsite for 24 hours/day through the end of the process.” -Christenne “For those who do not know, when a person is declared brain dead, it is a legal pronouncement of death, it is the time that will go on their death certificate.” -Christenne “My sister was one of only 39 organ donors in Cincinnati in 1992. It was so rare.” -Christenne “Donation can have such a  positive effect on those that are donor families. “ -Christenne “This role requires you to be strong and sensitive to the fact that a family is going through the worst possible time.” -Andi “We are intimately involved with the families in the room and with the donors in the room, it is difficult.” -Christenne “Other than being a parent, this job is the most rewarding thing I will do in my life.” -Christenne Resources Mentioned: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO

EP 105: 'El mejor regalo de la vida

LifeCenter ahora es Network For Hope! (LifeCenter now is Network For Hope!) This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/

EP104: A Transplant Surgeon’s Journey To Help Others, with Dr Madison Cuffy

A Transplant Surgeon’s Journey To Help Others, with Dr Madison Cuffy During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson speaks with Dr. Madison Cuffy, an Associate Professor at UC Health. Dr. Cuffy has built trust-filled relationships with his transplant patients throughout the years and loves nothing more than to see them live their lives to the fullest after getting their transplant.   Episode Highlights:  Dr. Cuffy started his medical journey back in 2002 which led to a multi-organ  transplant fellowship at New York Presbyterian. Growing up in Brooklyn, Dr. Cuffy was first introduced to Cincinnati by Talib Kweli and Hi Tek. As a 14-year-old, Dr. Cuffy became interested in medicine while volunteering in a hospital cleaning instruments. Even to this day, no one in Dr. Cuffy’s family has experience in medicine, nor any clue what a transplant surgeon does. Dr. Cuffy was born in the Caribbean and grew up with his great aunt in New York. One of the most common misconceptions surrounding organ donation is that the medical community will let you die. After being in transplant and seeing how one can help create life during a time of despair, Dr. Cuffy became an organ donor. The medical community is not out to harm organ donors in order to harvest their organs, contrary to popular belief. According to the statistics, on average, 22 people die every day waiting on an organ transplant. While most of his focus is on kidney transplants, Dr. Cuffy does work with all transplant organs. There is an access problem for people who need a kidney transplant and are on dialysis. Dr. Cuffy facilitates living kidney donation as the best option to treat end-stage renal disease. Andi has noticed that people of color tend to shy away from sharing their donation needs with other people. Socioeconomic issues and disadvantages can make it more difficult for certain patients to share their stories. People who don’t want to share their stories need a donor champion to do it for them. There are different forms of literacy, so Dr. Cuffy makes sure his patients know that there is no stupid question. It’s important for patients to speak up about their questions to their doctor so that they don’t get misinformation from another source. If your physician is too busy to answer your questions now or in the future, you may need to find a different provider. Dr. Cuffy feels rewarded by his job when he sees his patients experiencing life after their transplant. His grandmother’s advice was “Always be yourself”, even when things get tough, this message helps Dr Cuffy get through hard days. Raised without his parents in Brooklyn, Dr. Cuffy knows first hand that you can do anything you set your mind to. Dr. Cuffy has always had an extra gear that has allowed him to outwork everyone around him. When he goes back to Brooklyn now, Dr. Cuffy gets a different kind of respect from the people he grew up with. Dr. Cuffy thoroughly enjoys going to J. Alexanders in Cincinnati because of the sheer amount of professional African Americans that go there. 3 Key Points: While volunteering at a hospital with the hopes of staying off the streets as a 15-year-old boy, Dr. Cuffy had the opportunity to watch a kidney transplant up close, and that’s how he chose the transplant route. Unlike in other cities that have multiple transplant programs with different surgeons, Cincinnati has a single transplant program where the doctors act as one unit. Living donor kidneys last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, recipients don’t have to wait on a list to get one, and the quality is usually very good. Resources: https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.uchealth.com/en/transplant Dr Madison Cuffy  

EP 103: Tis The Season Of Giving

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ, eye and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode, we talk with Don Juan from 100.3 FM Cincy's R&B station in Cincinnati. Resources https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO

EP 102: How Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation Helps The Sick and Injured In Our Community

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode, we talk with Don Juan from 100.3 FM Cincy's R&B station in Cincinnati.   Resources https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 101: Heartfelt Care: Dr Bonomo Explains The Vision For A Holistic Donor Care Unit Within The New UCMC ICU

Welcome to today’s episode of This Thing Called Life, where we delve into the ever-evolving care plan of organ, eye, and tissue donation. In this episode, we’re joined by Andi Johnson and Dr. Jordan Bonomo to explore a key recommendation from the 2021 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report aimed at transforming organ donation and transplantation practices to create a more equitable system. Dr. Bonomo shares insights into a groundbreaking initiative—the establishment of a donor care unit within UCMC’s new Flex ICU. This innovative, first-of-its-kind model is designed to improve organ donation outcomes by providing comprehensive, compassionate care to both donors and their families. Tune in for this important conversation on enhancing the donor experience and advancing the future of organ donation.   Episode Highlights: Introducing Dr. Jordan Bonomo. He is a physician at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He's the Medical Director of the flex ICU and a professor of Emergency Medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, and neurocritical care. He is also the attending physician for anesthesia, critical care, and ECMO, and he's the medical director for donor management, for Network For Hope, formerly Life Center.  Dr. Bonomo explains the long-term development of the Flex ICU, emphasizing its multifaceted purpose to serve critically ill patients and enhance organ donation capacity. The Flex ICU aims to provide specialized care for organ donors, improving the yield and survival rate of donated organs. Specialized units can focus on the needs of the donor from a physiological standpoint and the needs of the family from an emotional standpoint. This aims to provide a much more synchronized environment and holistic care for the families and adhere to the donor wishes. All the staff are fully trained and they're vetted and vested at the same time in the process of donation.  The purpose is to have the best donor care unit available anywhere in the country. The unit is staffed 24/7 by dedicated teams to support the mission of Network for Hope. The unit is limited to donors who have been declared dead by neurologic criteria. Note that in the month of October, the first month of the launch of Flex ICU, there were zero patients declared brain dead in the region. Dr. Bonomo explains the intentional design of the unit to accommodate donor families, offering them the option to be with their loved ones or to step back as needed. The Flex ICU aims to respect the wishes of donors and families, facilitating their involvement in the donation process. Dr. Bonomo discusses the potential impact of the Flex ICU on organ donation The goal is to optimize the process for donors, families, and organ recipients, balancing the need for timely transplantation with the potential for increased donation. Andi adds that the DCU, which is housed within the flex ICU, has been discussed as a key part of the flex ICU with providers, nurses, and physicians who will be working in this unit. The team is committed to doing right by donors, recognizing the privilege and obligation that comes with their role. The Flex ICU has attracted dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving organ donation and transplantation. The process of establishing the unit has been lengthy, involving multiple stakeholders and legal considerations.  He shares that this is an organ procurement organization initiative that really is somewhat independent of the healthcare system. The belief that donation can bring healing and good from tragedy has been a driving force for Dr. Bonomo.  Dr. Bonomo has a strong foundation in bioethics, having earned his undergraduate degree in the field. Throughout his career, organ donation has been a central focus of his work in biomedical ethics. Dr. Bonomo invites listeners to ask questions and seek education about the organ donation process. The importance of accurate information and understanding the process is important for effective collaboration and support. 3 Key Points:   Dr. Bonomo explains the long-term development of the Flex ICU, emphasizing its multifaceted purpose to serve critically ill patients and enhance organ donation capacity. The Flex ICU aims to provide specialized care for organ donors, improving the yield and survival rate of donated organs. The unit is limited to donors who have been declared dead by neurologic criteria. So brain dead donors, and brain dead vernacular term death by neurologic criteria. Dr. Bonomo explains the intentional design of the unit to accommodate donor families, offering them the option to be with their loved ones or to step back as needed. The Flex ICU has attracted dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving organ donation and transplantation. The team is committed to doing right by donors, recognizing the privilege and obligation that comes with their role.   Tweetable Quotes: “Dr shutter explained to me that we do our best to save them, but when you can't, your obligation doesn't end, and the opportunity to donate is an absolute good when done well…” - Dr. Bonomo “So the the flex ICU has been in design and development for a really long time, I mean, north of 15 years, and we've had fits and starts, and we finally were able to construct it…” - Dr. Bonomo “We have teams that are dedicated to supporting the mission and network for hope, formerly Life Center…” - Dr. Bonomo “I think every family is interested in knowing that their loved one is well cared for and that their wishes are being respected.” - Dr. Bonomo Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 100: Network For Hope Community Breakfast - An Annual Event Celebrating Those Impacted By, And Community Advocates For, Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode, we talk with Lincoln Ware from WDBZ the Buzz of Cincinnati talk station.   Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 99: Community Heroes - Gratitude From Those Affected By Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about Organ, Tissue, and Eye donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/

EP 98: Breath of Hope: Navigating the double lung transplant journey

Welcome to today’s episode of This Thing Called Life, where we explore the evolving landscape of organ, tissue, and eye donation. Join us as we chat with Andi Johnson, featuring Jennie Wright, a double lung transplant recipient, and her daughter, Siri Imanin.  Jennie, diagnosed with sarcoidosis and pulmonary hypertension, waited a year to be listed for a transplant and another two years to receive the lungs. She recounts the challenges, including antibiotic-resistant infections and the emotional toll on her family. Siri shares how her mother's journey influenced her music and activism, emphasizing the importance of organ donation education in the Black community. They discuss the need for proactive health awareness and the impact of supportive networks on their recovery.   Episode Highlights: Andi Johnson introduces the mother-daughter duo Jennie Wright and Siri Imani, and asks Jennie to share her transplant journey Jennie shared that she had sarcoidosis, and as a result, her lungs were severely damaged, which caused pulmonary hypertension. So before the donation, she had a backpack that had oxygen and a fanny pack that had a heart pump. It took a year to get Jennie listed and two years before she got her transplant Jennie recounts the emotional and physical challenges, including contracting antibiotic-resistant infections and the decision to postpone the transplant due to her condition. Andi asks about the support journey for both mother and daughter Siri, Jennie’s daughter answers that she was happy once everything was settled because she recalls the long period where her mother’s life felt limited and the journey they had to go through in organ donation. Andi asks Siri, who is an artist, creator, activist, & cultivator, how the journey influences her music and the work that she does from a creative standpoint. Siri answers that it influenced everything and that she grabs inspiration from her mother and grandmother in every way. Siri shares that when they first got the diagnosis, she documented and made music about it. Andi asks Siri to share her favorite memory with her grandmother Andi asks what they would like to share with others, particularly in the black community, after just living through this experience. Siri shares her personal journey of overcoming misinformation and distrust, emphasizing the need for education and awareness. Andi questions what they would like to say to their donor family. Jennie expresses her deep gratitude to the donor family for their selflessness and the opportunity to continue living. Jennie and Siri discuss the activities and experiences they can now enjoy, such as walking and attending events. 3 Key Points: Jennie shared that she had sarcoidosis, and as a result, her lungs were severely damaged, which caused pulmonary hypertension. So before the donation, she had a backpack that had oxygen and a fanny pack that had a heart pump. It took a year to get Jennie listed and two years before she got her transplant because there were certain conditions to be met for her to get the transplant. Siri, Jennie’s daughter recalls the long period where her mother’s life felt limited and the journey they had to go through in organ donation. Siri is also an artist, creator, activist, & cultivator, and she found inspiration in her mother’s journey. Siri shares her personal journey of overcoming misinformation and distrust, emphasizing the need for education and awareness. The conversation touches on the historical context of distrust in the medical system within the Black community and the importance of updating that narrative. Tweetable Quotes: “...with that waiting process, the stars have to be perfectly aligned, because you have to be, to be at the top of the list, you got to be the sickest of the sick, right? But you can't be too sick.” - Andi Johnson “My faith helped to sustain me, and I feel like God showed me a moment on the other side of this. And I just kind of held on to that.” - Jennie Wright “I think a lot of our work with people experiencing homelessness just came from the understanding early that life could take you anywhere, no matter what type of person you are, no matter where you come from, you can place where you just need people.” - Siri Imani “I was always planning on making sure, like, people knew who my mama was, people knew who my grandma was, and really remember because they made it clear who they were in their lifetimes.” - Siri Imani Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

EP 97: ¡LifeCenter ahora es Network For Hope!

LifeCenter ahora es Network For Hope! (LifeCenter now is Network For Hope!) This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/

EP 96: "Second Chances: A Teen's Journey from Cardiac Arrest to a New Heart"

In this heartfelt episode of This Thing Called Life Podcast, host Andi Johnson sits down with Mario Jarrett and his mother, Kesia, to discuss Mario's incredible journey following a cardiac arrest at just 16 years old. They share the challenges and miracles that shaped his need for a heart transplant, highlighting the unwavering love and support that surrounded him throughout this life-altering experience. Mario's story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the determination to embrace life fully. Join us as they delve into the power of hope and the importance of striving for personal growth every day. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!   This episode is dedicated to Mario’s Heart Donor Amanda and her family! Episode Highlights: Mario Jarrett shares what led to his need for a Heart Transplant.  Mario was a high school Athlete participating in Baseball, Football, and Track & Field. Mario’s cardiology team thought he suffered mini heart attacks over a period of time without knowing it.  Mario indicated he felt like he was just dehydrated. In May of 2021, while preparing for the state track and field competition, he went into cardiac arrest. Doctors told Mario and his family that he needed to have a heart transplant. Mario received a heart transplant at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati on July 26, 2021. Mario talks about how his Faith helped him get through his Health Crisis. Kesia Jarrett, Mario’s mom, shares her gratitude for the donor's family, health providers, pastoral family, and all the family and friends who were there for her family. Kesia reveals that Mario’s Doctors thought his health issues were stemming from Asthma but never expected it was his heart. Kesia remembered her spiritual nudge to seek a specialist for Mario. Kesia shares her family's motto to Live life and remember to help others in any way you can. Andi encourages Mario and Kesia to continue to share their story because it will help many understand the need for Organ Transplants.    3 Key Points: Even young athletes can experience health conditions, that require the need for an Organ Transplant. Remember self-care if you are a caregiver for someone going through a health issue. Share your gifts and create access and awareness of necessary resources for those in need, because, in the blink of an eye, it could be you.  And always remember we are meant to be in community with one another.    Tweetable Quotes: “Step out of your comfort zone every day.” - Mario Jarrett “I am grateful for every opportunity that we get to spread more light and awareness for individuals to consider being a donor for children like Mario.” - Kesia Jarrett “I am not bitter.  I know it happened for us…not to us.” - Kesia Jarrett “Stay in the space of understanding that even though you are going through this journey it is not the end… until it is.” - Kesia Jarrett Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/  

EP 95: The future of Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation could be changing, With CEO of Gift of Life Michigan and new President of AOPO Dorrie Dils

Welcome to today’s episode of This Thing Called Life, where we explore the evolving landscape of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Join us as we chat with Dorrie Dils, the CEO of Gift of Life Michigan and the new President of the AOPO. In this episode, Dorrie and Andi Johnson delve into Dorrie’s journey as a female CEO in the transplant field, discussing the challenges and triumphs she’s faced along the way. They’ll also highlight the significant increase in donations following expanded donor criteria, reflect on Dorrie’s impactful speech, and uncover the steps that led her to this pivotal role. Don’t miss this insightful conversation! Episode Highlights: Dorrie Dils, president and CEO of Gift Of Life Michigan and the new president of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, shares her experience in her inaugural year as president.  Dorrie shares that she has been in this field for 33 years, and there's been tremendous pressure from Congress, the White House, and outside entities to drive donation forward. There have been concerns due to change in metrics which may cause a rise in decertified OPO’s and what that will do for patients who are waiting and for donors and donor families who wish to donate.  There has been a lot of change but Dorrie shares that she feels better today than ever before. Dorrie shares that the other big thing, which can't be denied, is just the massive increase in donations after circulatory death or ECD. Andi asked Dorrie what other positions she has worked in the OPO, Andi wanted to take a minute to have Dorrie share, as a woman in this field, what she did to reach her position of leadership today. Dorrie shares that she was in Critical Care Nursing, then a Donation Coordinator, and at times needed to be in hospital development, PR and Public Education.  Leadership opportunities led her to becoming procurement director then Chief Clinical Officer, before becoming the president, and CEO. Dorrie talks about her speech and what motivated her to talk about correlating the Barbie Movie (2023) and the need to be perfect in the transplant world.   3 Key Points: President and CEO of the Gift Of Life Michigan and the new president of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, Dorrie Dils shares her experience in her inaugural year of presidency, and the challenges due to changes. Dorrie shares that the other big thing, which can't be denied, is the massive increase in donation after circulatory death or ECD. Dorrie shares her years of experience, the steps that she had to take before stepping into her leadership role as a woman CEO, and the role of her deep passion for her working field.    Tweetable Quotes: “I've been in this field for 33 years, and it truly is the biggest change I've ever seen in our work, and there's been tremendous pressure from Congress and the White House and outside entities to drive donation forward, which has been a good thing.” - Dorrie Dils “We have in the world, have the best system for organ transplantation. And I think sometimes that gets forgotten.” - Andi Johnson “But I think the biggest ‘aha’ moment is just how I've always been a hard worker. I've always felt in control of my success.” - Dorrie Dils “This field has evolved so much, and one of the things that I really hope will be my legacy is the evolution of how women are seen and treated in this field.” - Dorrie Dils Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

EP 94: Uniting for Hope: The Merger Transforming Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation

"Uniting for Hope: The Merger Transforming Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation” We're thrilled to be back after our summer break, kicking off with exciting news about a transformative merger aimed at enhancing access to life-saving transplants. In this episode, hosts Andi Johnson, Julie Bergin, and Barry Massa delve into the merger between Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) and LifeCenter Organ Donor Network. Both organizations have a rich history of excellence in organ donation advocacy, and together they will rebrand as “Network for Hope.” This partnership will harness their combined strengths to bolster advocacy and community outreach efforts. Join us as Julie and Barry share their inspiring personal journeys and reveal how their leadership has shaped this merger, paving the way for a brighter future for organ recipients in need of support. Don’t miss it! Episode Highlights: Andi Johnson introduces guests Julie Bergin and Barry Massa and the upcoming merger of KODA and LifeCenter. Barry explains the merger journey, starting with their initial meetings at airports heading to national conferences, and the proximity of each organization. The conversation about the future of organ procurement organizations eventually led to discussions about merging the two organizations. The boards of both organizations were supportive of the merger. Julie shares her experience as a new leader in the industry and the support she received from Barry. Julie highlights the synergies between the two organizations, even before the merger conversation began. Barry discusses the smaller size of LifeCenter compared to other organ procurement organizations and the potential for both organizations to flourish together. Andi asks about the challenges faced during the merger process. Barry discusses the unique nature of organ procurement organizations and the need to work through nuances. Julie talks about the challenge of change and the importance of reassuring staff that the changes are for the betterment of the mission. Andi asks about the meaning of "Network for Hope" and its significance. Julie explains the importance of the word "network" in "Network for Hope," highlighting the collaborative nature of the mission. Barry adds that the name "hope" is crucial, as it represents the hope brought to donor families and recipients. Andi asks what advice Barry and Julie have for other OPO’s who are aiming for the same goal of merging. Barry says it is important to pick the right partner. The guests share their own experiences about some of the donors who have benefited from the gift of donation. Both Barry and Julie highlight the importance of community engagement and meeting people where they are. Julie brings up the special team that supports donor families. She also stresses the importance of one-to-one connections and providing resources for staff to better connect with families. Julie shares a personal story. Barry discusses the importance of providing emotional support. Resilience is a leader's responsibility and emotional support is crucial for staff to continue to work effectively. 3 Key Points: Andi Johnson and guests Julie Bergin and Barry Massa discussed the merger between Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates and LifeCenter Organ Donor Network. Barry and Julie discuss the unique nature of organ procurement organizations and the need to work through nuances. They also talk about the challenge of change and the importance of reassuring staff that the changes are for the betterment of the mission. They (Barry & Julie) express optimism about the future of Network for Hope and the importance of everyone working together to achieve their goals.   Tweetable Quotes: “Barry was somebody who I was able to lean on as a new leader in this industry…” - Julie Bergin “So I think we realized that there was synergies there, even before the conversation turned to to merge our organization.” - Julie Bergin “We see an opportunity to really do things better…” - Julie Bergin “None of us do everything exactly the same…” - Barry Massa “Change in general is really hard for people, and our staff have had to deal with constant change, or the assumption that it's going to change, that has been a huge challenge, helping to inform them, reassure them, guide them.” - Julie Bergin “I think that's the thing that people probably fear most, is losing that culture that each had. And yeah, it's going to change a little bit, but it's going to be better in the long run, right?” - Barry Massa “Our whole job is to come to where they are, you know, see what their needs are, and to work with them to to allow donation to happen and still be respectful and mindful of the needs that they have as individuals.” - Julie Bergin Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

This Thing Called Life Summer Hiatus: Keep up the spirit of compassion even in our absence!

This Thing Called Life Podcast will be on a summer hiatus returning this fall.  The essence of our mission remains. When we return, you can expect more powerful organ, eye, and tissue donation stories from the donors, recipients, families, and frontline healthcare workers. While we're on this break, if you or someone you know is seeking information about organ, eye, and tissue donation, I strongly encourage you to visit lifepassiton.org. It’s a rich source of resources, stories, and opportunities for you to make a difference. Remember, every act of giving, no matter how small, has the potential to change a life. Even in our absence, let's continue to spread the word, encourage others to register as donors, and keep the spirit of "This Thing Called Life" alive and thriving.   Thank you for your unwavering support, understanding, and compassion for us and our guests throughout this journey. Until we meet again, take care of yourselves and each other.

EP 93: The Family Genetics that impacted the Liver health of Tony Burdette

Episode 93: Family Genetics That Lead To The Need For a Liver Transplant For Tony Burdette   On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi will speak with Mr. Tony Burdette, who will discuss his involvement with organ donation. Tony's life was saved in August 2019 via a liver transplant. His father passed down a genetic disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency to him. He was diagnosed in the early 1990s, with symptoms including exhaustion and low platelet counts. Tune in for his great story.   Episode Highlights:  Tony had never given much thought to organ donation, but sometimes it takes a crisis to bring it to the forefront of your mind. Tony's father underwent a liver transplant in 1997, but it was a painful experience since, after 14 hours, the surgeons came out and told them that he probably wouldn't survive. But, happily, doctors were able to get it to work sufficiently, and he received a second transplant two days later.  The hereditary condition does not impact everyone. They can live perfectly well without it. However, something triggered Tony's liver in early 2019, and his liver began to fail rapidly. Tony had all the excess fluid in his body, common for people with liver failure. So, he had to have the procedure called a thoracentesis, and over seven months, he had to have that procedure done 52 times. Tony couldn’t keep having these procedures every other day. So at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for evaluation at the Transplant clinic, he was put on the list rather quickly around the beginning of May and received his liver on August 3rd, 2019. It was a quick illness for Tony and a painful one, but thankfully his transplant and the surgery were very successful. He was discharged from the hospital just five days later without any complications. Tony has a brother. He obviously has the deficiency, but he hasn’t had any symptoms so far. He is under the care of a GI, and they are keeping close tabs on him. Both of Tony’s children have a deficiency as well, and they are under the care of the liver transplant team at children just out of precaution. The doctors check them every year and have liver scans done to keep a check on them and make sure everything is ok. About three weeks after Tony’s transplant, he received two letters in the mail from elementary-age girls who wrote him a letter and said that they just wanted to let him know that he had received their mother’s liver. Tony has studied music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory, one of the greatest in the world, and it is such an honor to be accepted there. Tony is the artistic director of an organization called Aviva Voices Choral Organization. It’s an organization that he founded, and it provides high-quality community choirs for children, youth, and adults. The program’s cornerstone is the brand new work for a course and orchestra called the breath of life, and it was written actually before the pandemic. Often, being open with what you are going through can impact other people. When Tony was going through all this, we posted periodically about this on social media as encouragement for people. Tony encourages people to not be afraid no matter what you are going through in life. Be open, share, and find people that you can talk to and know that your story can impact people.   3 Key Points: Alpha-1 antitrypsin is an enzyme and it is created in the liver. The deficiency is that the enzyme gets trapped in the liver and creates a deficiency in the lungs. But when that enzyme gets trapped in the liver, it can cause liver damage. Tony has spent his whole career serving as a professional musician, singing professionally with opera and orchestras around the country, and doing a lot of conducting with choirs and teaching singing. Tony’s concert’s date is Saturday, April 30th, the last day of the month and the last day of donating life month. The concert is taking place at Christ Church Cathedral, which is a huge, beautiful venue.   Tweetable Quotes: “The dichotomy of organ donation is that, a life has to be lost in order to give life, but it’s also a beautiful thing of sacrifice.” - Tony “You never know how donation and transplantation will work, but Tony thinks it’s probably healing in many ways for both the donor family and the recipient.” – Andi “One of our core values is to be able to use the power of music to shed light on important things, and when we started this organization, we said that we wanted to have at least one concert once a year.” – Tony “Creating a free concert is based on the theme of life, the celebration of life, and use it woven together with stories. And the interesting thing about it is to bring awareness and make people aware of the power of organ donation.” – Tony “We are a core organization, and we specialize in classical music. You don’t have to be affected by classical music or anything because there will be various music.” - Tony   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://www.vivavoices.net/about/ https://www.facebook.com/tony.burdette.5

EP 92: Nuevo nombre, misma pasión por salvar vidas

This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega.  The monthly interview will provide the Spanish Community with information about "Network For Hope" (New Name, formally Life Center, but the same passion for saving lives) and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.

EP 91: A Calling To Find A Kidney Donor For All In Need

A Calling To Find A Kidney Donor For All In Need   Darcy Gibson and Andy Johnson discuss the challenges faced by kidney transplant recipients and their families. In this episode they shared their experiences highlighting the importance of storytelling and education when raising awareness about kidney disease, emphasizing the impact of personal stories on building empathy and creating a sense of community.  Episode Highlights: Andi Johnson introduces Darci Gibson and the non-profit organization “Off The List”. “Off the List” aims to support individuals on the kidney transplant list and their families through their journey of waiting for a kidney and provide them with tools and resources to help them share their stories to find donors Darci shares what motivated her to start this non-profit and the passion behind the project. Darci tells us that her father needed a Kidney transplant, so she leveraged her background in Marketing to share her family story and get the word out about his need. Andi shares the importance of taking action and control over one's health, particularly for those with kidney disease or type 2 diabetes. Darci highlights the need for creating awareness and conversations around these conditions, as people often accept them as their fate without realizing they can take action to prevent or manage them. Darci shares an "aha" moment about the number of young people calling for kidney transplants, highlighting the need for early education and resource sharing. Darci offers encouragement to frustrated dialysis patients, emphasizing hope and support from others, including the possibility of finding a living donor. Andi asks how many families are “Off The List” helping now, and Darcy shares that they are currently working with 80 families. For those who want to contribute, the easiest way would be to go to their website https://getoffthelist.org/  There are programs through the National Kidney Registry where you can donate a kidney. It's called their advanced Donation Program, and you can designate up to five people in your family should they ever need an organ donation.   3 Key Points: Darci Gibson tells us about their non-profit organization called ‘Off The List’ and shares how she was pushed into that journey by her own experiences. She also highlights the importance of early education for the next generation to help prevent kidney disease and to have the strength to believe that they could still take steps to manage it. Darci offers words of encouragement to a frustrated dialysis patient, emphasizing hope and support from others, including the possibility of finding a living donor. Tweetable Quotes: “... You have to share personal information. And that's hard to do, as humans, it's hard to ask people for help. And so I felt like there was a gap there that we could help fill and partner with the transplant centers and dialysis and nephrology to be able to just really dig in and personally with families through that and give them the tools.” - Darci Gibson “We just want them to know that we're here.” - Darci Gibson “And it's interesting how when I look back now, all of those things, was preparing me to do this. I mean, there was a reason and a purpose and that's why God was preparing me for this work.” - Darci Gibson Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

EP 90: A Wife's Incredible Gift Of Life For Her Husband

In this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi talks with Marty and Bonnie Garneret. Bonnie is not only Marty’s wife but also his kidney champion.  Marty and his wife have been married for 42 years this month, and he says that he married an angel without wings.  They share their special journey and you are not going to want to miss it!

EP 89: April Is National Donate Life Month - Creating Awareness Of The Need To Register For Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode, we talk with Lincoln Ware from WDBZ the Buzz of Cincinnati talk station.     Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

EP 88: Azul y Verde; Mes de Donar Vida (Green and Blue; Donate Life Month

This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega.  The monthly interview will provide the Spanish Community with information about Life Center and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.

EP 87: Coach Darryn Chenault's Kidney Transplant Journey

Coach Darryn Chenault's Kidney Transplant Journey   It's April so it's time to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved and healed others as organ eye and tissue donors. Today we introduce Coach Darryn Chenault, to share his Transplant Journey and discuss how he broke the cycle of not communicating about Kidney Disease in his family.  Episode Highlights: Andi introduces Coach Darryn Chenault and how she heard his story on TV  Darryn shares with us his love for being on the field coaching and how one day there was a change in how his body responded to high-energy activities. Darryn explains how he thought it was a hereditary disease, ignoring the risk and thinking he was young and healthy.  Darryn eventually figured he would have to take meds like he had witnessed with his dad, but when he got COVID, it took his Kidney Issues from Stage 2 to Stage 5. Darryn shares that since he was “That Guy” a police officer, a hero to his family, and someone who works out every morning, he didn’t want to feel like he was not in control. Going through the struggles of his disease, Darryn had a hard time adjusting to not being “Out and about”, that’s when he decided that he needed a Kidney. Darryn shared how he was saved by a friend who advertised to the community that he needed a kidney transplant. Darryn’s nephew, Arryn, called and said he was a match and wanted to donate his kidney. Darryn’s family encouraged him to receive this gift. Andi and Darryn discuss the issue that Black families have with higher rates of kidney disease and diabetes, which can lead to the need for dialysis and transplants. Darryn suggests a lack of education, on the topic, prevents black families from stepping up at the same rate to be living donors. Darryn's actual birthday is April 9 but now he tells people that his new birthday is June 6, his Transplant Date, because he got more time. Darryn and Arryn have a unique bond after sharing this kidney transplant experience, inspiring others at family gatherings. Darryn extends gratitude for his ability to spend time with family and enjoy activities they couldn't do before, while also acknowledging the importance of self-care and education for transplant recipients. 3 Key Points: Coach Darryn was always there for his players and the community, he was someone everyone looked up to. Being on the receiving side was an adjustment requiring him to have new routines and acceptance of the gift of life. Coach Darryn shares his wonderful gift of receiving the Kidney Transplant from his nephew Arryn on June 6, and how their bond got even stronger and inspired other people in their family. Darryn shares gratitude for being able to spend time with family and enjoy activities they couldn't do before, while also acknowledging the importance of self-care and education for transplant recipients. Tweetable Quotes: “ Because here I am thinking I'm the guy like I work out in the morning. Good kids are looking up to me. I'm a police officer. I'm a superhero to my kids and my family. so to speak. I just wanted to be that guy.” - Darryn Chenault “And that's what I learned throughout this whole process that I needed to lean on my family.“ - Darryn Chenault “I mean, it was it was a tough ride, but we did it.” - Darryn Chenault “Black families have higher rates of kidney disease and diabetes, which many times lead to needing dialysis and a transplant yet we do not as a community… as a race, we don't step up at the same rate to be living donors as white people” - Andi Johnson "We gotta open up our heart and let them help us." - Darryn Johnson Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

EP 86: World Kidney Day Reminds Us How We Can Help Others In Need.

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode, we talk with Don Juan Fasho from 100.3 Cincy's R&B station.     Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

EP 85: From Transplant to Triumph: A Nurse's Journey of Healing, Giving Back and Finding Love

From Transplant to Triumph: A Nurse's Journey of Healing, Giving Back and Finding Love   Today we introduce Asia Werner, a transplant recipient and nurse with UC Health. Tune in to hear Asia's incredible story of receiving her heart transplant as an infant, her decision to become a nurse, and her advice for young people who might have to go through an organ transplant journey.    Episode Highlights: Andi introduces our guest, Asia Werner. Asia shares that she received her heart transplant on her 1st birthday Andi asks Asia how she felt after receiving media attention as she grew up Asia tells us that when she received her heart, it was around Christmas, and that made her story more interesting to the public Andi asks Asia about her nursing career decision Asia's love of taking care of others and making people feel better Asia worked with many spinal cord injury patients, which she sees as a sign of the universe guiding her toward this role. Andi asks about Asia’s participation in the Transplant Games The Transplant Games are the Olympics but for the transplant team, so recipients, donors, and even some medical professionals participate. Asia tells us that everybody who participates in the games goes through the same situations and they can all relate to each other and agree that they shouldn’t take life for granted. Andi asks Asia what her advice would be for young people going through the same situation as she did Asia advises people who will go through the transplant journey that they can still do what normal people do but with caution.  The most important thing is to make sure that they maintain follow-up doctor visits for check-ups and listen to their doctor's recommendations Asia reflects on her transplant experience, which provided her the freedom to pursue a normal life, and the importance of donors Asia expresses gratitude to their donor's family, acknowledging their life-saving decision 3 Key Points: Asia tells her amazing story about receiving her heart on her 1st birthday, which was close to Christmas, and how it got media attention Asia explains what got her into nursing. She tells us that at first, she thought she wanted to be a doctor but when she witnessed the difference between the direct impact of patient care nurses provided, it made it more clear what her choice would be. Asia shares her experience in the Transplant games and how the people participating relate to each other. Tweetable Quotes: “So it was really nice having somebody that I knew and was comfortable with because I was able to kind of open up a little more with him.” - Asia Werner “I know what it's like to have good nurses and I know what kind of a difference a good nurse can make.” - Asia Werner “Basically, it is the Olympics but for transplant people, so recipients, donors, and even some medical professionals are there.” - Asia Werner “Everybody is kind of in a similar situation.  My theory is that everybody knows how precious life is there and they understand, kind of, just how precious it is and how they don't take life for granted. They don't use their life to be mean to people.” - Asia Werner Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

EP 84: Mes de la Concientización del Riñón

This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega.  The monthly interview will provide the Spanish Community with information about Life Center and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.

EP 83: Todos Podemos Ayudar

This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega.  The monthly interview will provide the Spanish Community with information about Life Center and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.  

EP 82: Heartbeat Chronicles - Pioneering Heart Transplant at Christ Hospital With Guest Terri and George Cecere

Heartbeat Chronicles - Pioneering Heart Transplant at Christ Hospital With Guest Terri and George Cecere   February is American Heart Month, where women are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. In today’s episode, we want to introduce you to George and Terri Cecere. Tune in and hear about their journey together managing heart disease and ultimately a heart transplant as Husband and Wife.    Episode Highlights: Andi introduces George and Terri Cecere George and Terri tell the story of how they met and Terri being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma early in their relationship In 2002, Terri was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy at 43 years old Terri found a cardiologist with experience in heart failure treatment, which helped manage her condition until the time she needed a heart transplant at age 62 Andi asks about the symptoms of Cardiomyopathy Terri explains her symptoms and relates them to common heart failure  Terri lived with cardiomyopathy for 17 years, receiving treatment and care from Dr. O'Brien and the advanced heart failure team Her condition gradually worsened over time, leading to the recommendation of a heart transplant Terri received a heart transplant at Christ Hospital Health Network, becoming the first recipient of the program Andi asks Terri about how she feels about all the media attention Terri shares her story and advocates for heart health awareness with the help of her husband George and Life Center Terri expresses gratitude to the donor family for giving her the gift of life, acknowledging their difficult decision to donate Terri also talks about how the reality of having to care for someone with heart disease is challenging and the gift George has been through this journey 3 Key Points: Terri and George talk about how they thrived through 17 years of Heart Disease They share their experiences for 17 years leading up to the heart transplant and express gratitude for how they were cared for by their doctor(s) and hospital Terri now advocates for heart health awareness with the help of her husband George and Life Center   Tweetable Quotes: “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.” - Andi Johnson “I decided I needed a cardiologist who had experience with heart failure in particular, because it makes a huge difference.” - Terri Cecere “But I do think that intellectually we knew that at the end of the journey, the heart transplant was possible.” - George Cecere “Since Terri's transplant, which was, you know, only about 15 months ago, they've completed 19 heart transplants, which is an astounding number considering you know, how new the program is.” - George Cecere “And there's not a better person to have as your caregiver than George. I mean, he's, he was amazing.” - Terri Cecere Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

EP 81: The Impact Of Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation On Our Community

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode, we talk with Don Juan Fasho from 100.3 Cincy's R&B station.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

EP 80: A Guide Through Loss And Transformation, With Kelly Gunnels Valines

A Guide Through Loss And Transformation, With Kelly Gunnels Valines   In today’s episode, we want to introduce you to Kelly Gunnels aka author K.R.V. Gunnels as she discusses her story of advocacy and activism following the murder of a family member in 2017. Through the passing of her brother, she shares the importance of addressing systemic issues affecting black communities and how you can help others through organ donation. Kelly also talks about her book “A Widows Guide” and the inspiration behind it.   Episode Highlights: Kelly Gunnels shares her story of advocacy and activism following the murder of her brother Reco in 2017. Reco just renewed his license and when he was asked to be an organ donor, he said yes. Reco’s decision gave Kelly the confidence and comfort to contact Life Center.  When Kelly was asked to speak about stopping gun violence in the community her journey of activism and leadership began. So often, in the black community, organ donation is not discussed but when Reco died, his family was able to honor his wishes and donate his organs, which helped several people in need.  Kelly recalls the moments when Reco was brought to the ER, and how the hospital staff fought for his life. Kelly also experienced the loss of her husband which inspired her book; a Widows Guide. Her journey in writing made her recognize something about herself, she writes when she’s in pain.  She recounts her journey through grief after losing her husband suddenly, including an investigation which enhanced her struggle to come to terms with the loss. Kelly met a fellow author who introduced her to a spiritual mentor, who helped her find faith and surrender to God's plan. 3 Key Points: Kelly Gunnels talks about the passing of her brother Reco and how the tragedy launched her journey to use her voice and talk about the reality of violence in the community and the importance of organ donation.  She talks about her family’s legacy and how she started writing. The passing of her husband and the difficulty of the situation inspired her to write her book “A Widows Guide”. Organizing a blood drive and healing after loss. Tweetable Quotes: “​​We're all working to be the best that we can be.” - K. Gunnels “Everyone's not going to be a match for you. But you have to decide.” - K. Gunnels “So yes, they will fight for you, even if you sign up to be a donor they will still fight for your life.” - K. Gunnels “What I recognize about myself, is that I always write when I'm in pain.” - K. Gunnels “God shows up for us all the time.” - K. Gunnels Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/   https://www.amazon.com/s?k=widows+guide+journey+through+insanity   Facebook: Kelly Gunnels - https://www.facebook.com/kgunnels

Un nuevo año de donación y DoNation' ?

This episode of This Thing Called Life will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega.  The monthly interview will provide the Spanish Community with information about Life Center and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.

The Four Year Journey Of Waiting For A Kidney Donation

The Four Year Journey Of Waiting For A Kidney Donation   In today’s episode we want to introduce you to Carmelita C Jones. Carmelita discusses how she dealt with the realities of kidney failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, adulting, and why it is important for her to be an advocate for her circumstances. By understanding the real struggles of kidney disease and the symptoms associated she hopes to help the next generation avoid long term damage to the kidneys and help them live a better and healthier life!   Episode Highlights: Carmelita Jones shares her story of needing a kidney transplant and her passion for giving and loving others She shares about career changes and medical challenges after a car accident She talks about her diagnosis and treatment options for Kidney Failure. Life before the accident, Carmelita knew she had diabetes and high blood pressure.  Carmelita discusses diabetes, the organ transplant waitlist, and the black community. “Make better choices, eat to live, not just live to eat.” She points out the importance of teaching the next generation about nutritional value because they risk making the same mistakes as the past generation. There is a rise in children being diagnosed with diabetes at a much younger ages. There are more organizations to help with better nutrition, such as fresh fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, cooking classes, community gardens, etc. that could help with the problem. Carmelita describes her dialysis routine, including early morning appointments and time spent in the bathroom. She also describes how COVID-19 affected her financial situation. Carmelita shares her struggles with kidney disease and the impact on her daily life, including the importance of regular dialysis treatments and the need for a kidney transplant Carmelita advocates for normalizing conversations about mental health and wellness in the black community, emphasizing the importance of being open and honest about one's struggles. She reflects on the importance of a supportive tribe in navigating adulting and its challenges. She provides contact information for those interested in learning more or donating, emphasizing the anonymous process and the positive impact on donors' lives. 3 Key Points: Carmelita Jones shares the reality of having Kidney Failure and how she found it out after an accident. She also shares that prior to the accident, she knew she was diabetic and had high blood pressure.  Carmelita discusses a brief connection of the african american history and how we pass on the generational curse of bad choices when it comes to our health. Carmelita advocates for normalizing conversations about mental health and wellness in the black community, emphasizing the importance of being open and honest about one's struggles Tweetable Quotes: “High blood pressure is another major factor. Not to specify one particular group, but you know, African Americans suffer from high blood pressure because of our history literally on slave boats.” - Carmelita Jones “We need to teach our children first and foremost. So we don't give them our bad habits.” - Carmelita Jones “If you look at obesity, and our young people, it's off the charts. It's ridiculous. And it's because they're following our habit.” - Carmelita Jones “Adulting is hard. It requires so much patience. And a lot of times we take that time to take care of ourselves.” - Carmelita Jones Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/   Christ hospital call Bree @ 513-585-1427 for answers to any questions about the process of kidney donation for Carmelita   Facebook: Carmelita C. Jones - https://www.facebook.com/carmelita.c.jones

Todos Pueden Ser Donantes

Todos Pueden Ser Donantes   During this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson speaks with Courtney Schapier, a liver donor, the sister of a liver recipient, and one of the Organ Donation Coordinators at LifeCenter. Upon learning about her brother’s need for a liver, Courtney made the incredibly brave decision to make a difference. Her story is simply amazing!   Episode Highlights:    Courtney has been an Organ Donation Coordinator at LifeCenter for the past 6-7 years. Donation Coordinators handle the medical management and evaluation for organ donors. Amongst other responsibilities, Courtney plays a large part in matching organs to donors. Sometimes, organ donation acts as the silver lining to families that are going through an incredibly hard time. Donation coordination is a 24-hour job because donation does not run on a 9-5 schedule. From the time that a case opens to the time it closes, Courtney is on the clock for 36 hours. Courtney uses CrossFit and a great support system as outlets for the high stress levels of this job. With such a high-stress job, it’s no surprise that there is a high level of turnover. There have been times where the stress of the job has made Courtney question her desire to be here. COVID brought everything to a screeching halt when it first exploded back in March. The sheer amount of unknown information has made the ongoing global pandemic that much scarier. Things have finally begun to get back to normal, meaning more lives are being saved via organ donation. In 2016, Courtney’s brother discovered a huge mass on his liver that required a transplant. Unfortunately, Courtney lost her father when she was only 2 months old, so her brother acted as a father to her. Courtney was informed that she was a donor match for her brother while supporting a family that was pulling life-support. The weight of the situation started to feel heavy when Courtney sat on the pre-op table. Sitting outside the OR doors on the pre-op table, Courtney was rolled back for surgery after only 20 or 30 minutes. There were a handful of signs that something was wrong with Courtney’s brother’s liver long before the doctors caught it. After everything was said and done, it took a 10-hour procedure for Courtney to donate over half of her liver. The first thing that Courtney can remember is getting sick immediately after surgery. Courtney finally got to see her brother when she was transferred to the ICU. It was a complete shift in lifestyle for Courtney from the moment that she found out she was a donor match for her brother. Finding living liver donors is more rare than finding living kidney donors. Both Courtney and her brother fully recovered and are as healthy as they can be today. TX Jet was kind enough to donate its services to fly Courtney and her family out for surgery. After her donation, Courtney was sure that she was at the right job at LifeCenter. Courtney was comforted by the knowledge that everything in her life made her the perfect donor for her brother. This year, Courtney is focusing on being more present when she is with loved ones. The amazing thing about donation and transplantation is the opportunity to potentially save a life.   3 Key Points: Organ Donation Coordinators manage everything from the moment a donor decides to donate, to the time that the organ is sent to its recipient. It takes a very special person to not only manage the responsibilities of being a Donation Coordinator, but also the rollercoaster of emotions that come with the job. Courtney donated just over 50% of her own liver, which was oversized, to begin with, to save her brother’s life.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) TX Jet (website)

May 2023 Appreciation and Community Impact Events - EP 76 Mini

Episode 76: MAY 2023 Appreciation and Community Impact Events   It’s been a minute! April was National Donate Month, and we honored and celebrated our donor heroes across the region. Now sliding into May, we extend our gratitude to nurses and teachers, Happy National Nurses Week, National Transplant Nurses Week, and National Teacher Appreciation Week!  Episode Highlights: Life Center partnered with Hospitals across the region to honor donors, healthcare teams, and recipients.  They also celebrated the donor heroes from 2022 with the Anual Donor Family Recognition ceremony. Life Center also partnered with the Center For Closing the Health Gap to discuss generational health and the Black Community at the Annual Health Expo A partnership with the Cincinnati Reds also kicked off by honoring a donor hero  Sliding into May, we extend our gratitude to nurses and teachers, Happy National Nurses Week, National Transplant Nurses Week, and National Teacher Appreciation week!  103,871 Men, Women, and Children need life-saving organ transplants, and 21 people will die because what they need isn’t available. Learn the importance of registering to be a donor, and why it matters!   3 Key Points: Life Center partnered across the Region to honor and celebrate donors, healthcare teams, and recipients. May will be a month of gratitude towards Nurses and Teachers! We must learn the importance of registering as a donor, why it matters, and the truth about organ donation.  Tweetable Quotes: “Today, 103,871 Men, Women, and Children need life-saving organ transplants, and 21 people will die because the organ they need isn’t available.” - Andi “Take a moment to learn why donation matters, and why registering to be a donor absolutely matters.” - Andi Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

Episode 75: A Fifteen-year-old’s Decision to Become an Organ Donor and the Impact on his Family

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi Johnson speaks with Aimee Cordrey. She will be sharing the gift of life that her son, Nicholas has given to many recipients and how influenced others to do the same. She will also be reflecting some light upon the life of her son and sharing her story of grief and pathway to healing. Tune in now for this special story. Episode Highlights:  Aimee Cordrey is married to Darren Cordray. They have been married for over 20 years and been together for a little bit longer than that. They met in college, and they have two sons Richard, a 19 year old, and Nick, who would be 17, but he is forever 15. Both of them are athletes, very different yet very similar in their interests and just how they approach life. In the middle of the pandemic Aimee and her family had been quarantined like everyone else for quite some time. School had just ended. Nick had just finished freshman year of high school and it was Memorial Day. Nick and Aimee went shopping that day to get some hamburgers and some vegetables and different things to grill out. Nick hadn't seen his friends because of quarantine. Aimee allowed him to go meet some of his friends at a local ice cream shop that was within walking distance of their house because one of his best friends was leaving for vacation the next day and she was going to be gone for two weeks. Nick decided to take a shower at night. All of a sudden Aimee heard the water go on and then they heard some really heavy, intense breathing, they were shocked. They thought it was our other son Richard, playing video games. She went to the basement, but it was not Richard, it was Nick. Nick loved life and he approached everything with this attitude of – "I can do it." His family really believed he was going to be okay and pull through. Aimee explains how and when they went about the conversation of Nick being an orgn donor. The hospital staff acknowledged all the protocols that they have in place, and they contacted Life Center. Nick had not yet been able to get his temps. He would have been eligible for them. The month that everything happened, he had actually registered as an organ donor. The letter that Aimee received said that Nick saved five people with seven organs, and probably impacted 40 to 50 others. The only thing Nick was unable to donate was his intestines, which they initially believed he was going to be able to do until they started doing the surgery. Aimee shares her thoughts on what it all meant to her, Darren and Richard to know that Nick helped so many people by donating his organs.  “Learning that sometimes bad things happen to good people and learning to be ok with that and it is not even being ok with it, it's just accepting it- that is one piece of it. The donation piece brings that pride.” -Aimee Aimee thinks that being able to talk about organ donation enables her to talk about Nick.  Andi feels like Aimee is doing so much just to help people understand the magnitude of the donation and its impact. Andi asks Aimee about the project that she is working on at his school in his honor.  One of Nick's friends, Grayson, started a change.org petition. He wanted to have the school board name the soccer field after Nick. There isn't a lesson here when it comes to losing a son. The only lesson that Aimee has learned is that bad things happen to good people, and she has learned that when you encounter a loss like this you integrate it into your life, you don't overcome it. Grief is something that has stages and some stages may be re-visited at times. It is ongoing. Nick loved everything. All of the time he was researching,  reading to understand deeply, caring deeply, everything was with passion, everything was with full intent. He didn't do anything without truly caring about it. If he was gonna do it, he was doing it 100% all in and that's what Nick was, and he is. 3 Key Points: Nick had a brain aneurysm that his family didn't know about. Nick did not complain of a headache that day. He didn't have any signs of anything that day. He had an amazing day, and it was that quick. They called 911. They were very quick, they took him to the hospital, his aneurysm ruptured three times. At the hospital, they did surgery on him and for 9 days his family thought Nick was going to make it.  Aimee tells the listeners how Nick was able to help other people through the gift of life that he was able to give.  Each one of us is different. Unique as people, Aimee thinks everyone's grief is very unique. She needed to be around other people. Aimee thinks that the donor family council is amazing. They are a source of strength. They are unshakable.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website    

Episode 74: The Incredible Journey Of Receiving A Kidney

Episode 74: The Incredible Journey Of Receiving A Kidney On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi is going to talk to Marty and Bonnie Garneret. Bonnie is not only Marty’s wife but his kidney champion also. Marty and his wife have been married for 41 years this month, and he says that has married an angel without wings. He shares his special journey; You don’t want to miss it!   Episode Highlights:  There are two types of diabetes, type one, which you are born with, and in that, your body does not produce any insulin, so you are on insulin shots from the time you are born. The second type comes from heredity, bad eating, lack of exercise, or all the bad stuff you do - lifestyle factors. If the doctor says you are prediabetic, that means your sugar is running high regularly, and it is destroying your body. So, you need to get to a specialist or endocrinologist. It is not a disease to be taken lightly because it leads to chronic kidney disease, which Marty has. If you don’t pay enough attention to it, then you are graded on a scale of stage one to stage five transplant material, and that is where Marty is at 70 years of age.  When you first start out with  kidney disease, you are one of about 100 to 150,000 people on a list of possible recipients. Marty is lucky enough to meet a gal named Darcy Gibson, who has a foundation, a charitable organization, called Off The List, inc. To go through initial testing is a rigorous process. There are three different people you meet with. One is a social worker to check your mental capacity, the second is a nutritionist to manage your diet, and the third is a team of doctors and nurses that help you through tests. To get off the list, you have to receive a donor’s kidney, and Bonnie has done this through Facebook, through yard signs, emails, and extensive, unbelievable work this woman has done on Marty’s behalf. The list that Marty is talking about is a list to receive a deceased donor kidney. To get a living donor kidney, you must find someone willing to donate, a friend, a relative, or just a generous donor, and it is tough. It is a completely anonymous process, as someone is tested on your behalf. You would never know that because hospitals take that very seriously, and they want to ensure that the person who is doing this wants to do it for the right reasons and that there is no sense of pressure. Bonnie decided that UPPO would be perfect because people would have to ask a question and start the conversation. What is UPPO, or who is UPPO? Life for UPPO is a Facebook page, and we are working with Christ Hospital, and Trisha is the donor coordinator. The typical diabetic signs that Marty paid no attention to was he slept 12 hours and felt like he didn’t sleep 5 minutes. He drank unbelievable amounts of liquid, whether it be coffee, pop, water, and he lost a lot of weight. The diet you have to be on when looking for a kidney is extremely difficult. There are many things to avoid and take care of. There are two categories of people when it comes to the conversation about being a living donor. We need to do a better job of filling the gap of information and helping people understand this is something they can do. Children’s hospitals prefer to give it to children, and they should. But if something happened and there aren’t any children who would need it, then the adult on that list would receive a kidney. One of Marty’s dreams has always been that he would like to start in Maine and eat lobster all the way down the East Coast until they have to get an oversized bus to take him home. Marty looks good on the outside, but he’s not good on the inside, and that's what a lot of people don’t understand because he looks great. But they don’t understand that the kidney function is still going down, and you can’t see that. If people understood how grateful recipients were, it would cause a lot more people to donate because they are heroes and become angels without wings. Bonnie has read a lot on the national kidney Instagram page and other places that donors live longer than people who have not donated.   3 Key Points: Marty and Bonnie tell the listeners about the Facebook page they set up for people. The Facebook page is called life for UPPO. UPPO is Marty just because their oldest grandson when he was very young, can’t say Grandpa, and he came out with UPPO. Marty doesn’t think people understand how serious this disease is, and it will kill you. Many thousands of people die every day from kidney failure, and several things work against you. Marty and Bonnie talk about the misconception surrounding kidney donation.    Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://www.facebook.com/life4uppo Tricia Monson Christ Hospital Donor Coordinator 513-585-1440 Marty and Bonnie Garneret Off the list inc, Darci Gibson

Episode 73: Why Is Kidney Disease So Prevalent In The African American Community

On this episode of This Thing Called Life Podcast, host Andi Johnson is going to talk to Shelly Sherman and Stephanie Jackson. They are discussing kidney health and an exciting new project that is being launched to shed light on kidney disease as well as prevention. No doctor or medical expert will kill you for your organs; In fact, no medical professional is aware of your donor status until your death is declared. Tune in for more information! Episode Highlights:    Host Andi Johnson has a few big asks. Will you join us and be a part of this interconnected life sustaining community by registering to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor? Will you make the commitment to become more educated about living donation and championing the donation cause? Shelly is associated with the Cincinnati, Ohito chapter of The Links, Incorporated and she served as the Health and Human Services Facet Committee chair. The Ohio central chapter was granted an award by Baxter International for increasing the awareness of kidney health in the communities in which Shelly lives and primarily in the African American community. What is GFR? Shelly has been working hard in the community to make sure people know where they are regarding their GFR, which lets them know how well their kidneys are functioning and what they can do to maintain kidney health. The Links organization was founded in 1946 on the premise of friendship, and Shelly wants to uplift and elevate people by providing health information. Stephanie and Shelly first met through collaboration with The Center For Closing the Health Gap.  Shelly had goals in mind based on the grant they received regarding the number of people that they needed to touch and the number of community partnerships that they needed to do. Shelly and Stephaine share the experiences they have had with training sessions and connecting in the community. They hope people will continue to listen to the podcast and continue doing some things and spreading the word in their communities. When people are ill, you can see it on their skin and eyes. You can notice the effects of kidney and liver illness on the skin and other body systems. Garlic is great for decreasing inflammation; It has Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Manganese, a great alternative for your seasoning. If you want to decrease your psyllium, you can add more garlic, which is great for your heart and your kidney. The one thing is to avoid canned and packaged chicken breast because those can contain sodium and other preservatives. Raising awareness and making small changes goes such a long way in promoting healthier lifestyles. There is a great ripple effect too when you share information like this with those in your family and circles.  3 Key Points: Blueberries are an important food for kidney patients. They serve as antioxidants and are very good for healing. In addition, they help your body to increase urination. People talk about dialysis and transplant, and these are things that you want to avoid. By opting for a healthier lifestyle and changes in the food you eat, you can do that.  There are so many ways you can just move your body, and Stephanie always tells people 15 to 20 minutes is sufficient. Make sure that your body is doing something that it doesn’t do every day. Tweetable Quotes: “Whatever we are putting in our body, the body is going to use, and if we don’t put in things that our body can use, then our body is not going to be able to function the way it’s supposed to.” – Stephaine “Your body does need fat but only healthy fats because it helps everything stay lubricated and work well in all facets.” – Stephaine “So much of what happens to us is preventable, and a lot of it is due to a lack of information that is sometimes missed in our community.” – Shelly “Sometimes, we do have a mistrust of the medical systems, and we don’t get some of the information that we need to have, but we can share it and start to educate each other.” - Shelly   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://www.cincinnatilinks.org/black-kare-initiative https://www.facebook.com/CincinnatiLinks https://www.instagram.com/cincinnatilinks/ https://www.yoursweetestlife.com/ https://www.facebook.com/yoursweetestlifewithstephaniej https://www.instagram.com/yoursweetestlifewithstephaniej/

Community Heroes- El mes nacional de Done Vida- EP 50

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 72: It’s National Donate Life Month, Lets Make A Difference For Those In Need!

Episode 71: National Kidney Month with Mike McConnell

March is National Kidney Month. On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson talks with Mike McConnell about kidney health and community outreach.         Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

Community Heroes- Riñónes y Mujeres Hispanas En Marzo-EP 49

    Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.     Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.instagram.com/lifecentercincy/ https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://twitter.com/LifeCenterCincy

Episode 70: Kidney Donor’s Health And Serendipitous Career Path, Post Surgery With Brett Milam

March is National Kidney Month. On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson talks with someone who saw a vital need and acted on it in regards to living kidney donation, Brett Milam. Tune in to hear his journey as a living kidney donor. Episode Highlights: Andi previews National Kidney Month and the importance of education. Kidney disease, diabetes is often referred to as the silent killer.  There are more than 37 million Americans who have Kidney disease and high blood pressure which often leads to kidney failure. More than 90,000 people are waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. To get more information about kidney health and prevention, please visit lifepassiton.org or nkf.org today. Guest, Brett Milam, shares when he first thought about kidney donation. He saw a fellow journalist through Instagram who made it seem really doable. Andi asks Brett to talk about the process to become a donor. He went through UC Medical Center.  Brett says you don't pay anything to be a living donor and the commitment was not overwhelming. The Medical Center even reimbursed his parking tickets. Andi talks about the safeguards in place for routes of discrimination. How long do you need to be off work? Brett shares what it feels like when your organs are reconfiguring after surgery. Brett has visited dialysis centers and talks about what it is like. What if your family needs a kidney after you have previously donated? The fall after his surgery he went skydiving for the second time in his life. He talks about the drawal to do it. He overcame his fear of public speaking to champion this cause and in 2022, Brett decided to work for Life Center. Andi asks Brett to talk about mental health. He had a personal journey with depression that he navigated through and what helped him overcome. What is talk therapy? If you are struggling with mental health, Brett has advice for you. He said do not fear telling your primary care physician that you are struggling mentally. You may have to go through different therapists and/or medications but it is very worth it. Andi talks about recognizing managing new normal after covid and how Life Center decided to offer counseling to their staff. Brett loves to read. He talks about what he enjoys reading. He recently read Stranger In The Woods. Brett did not know who his donor recipient was but it was still such a fulfilling experience. Andi reminds listeners that there are 103,933 men women and children who need life saving organ transplants. What can you do to help?   3 Key Points: March is National Kidney Month. Many Americans have kidney disease and high blood pressure which often leads to kidney failure which then in turn requires dialysis or kidney transplant. It is important to be educated to be out in front of the disease in prevention. Brett Milam shares that it was a simple calculation for him to decide to be a living kidney donor.  Life Center’s mission and purpose drew Brett in. He thought he would work in journalism forever until a perfect turn of events led him to use his skills for this specific organization.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH https://aopo.org/

Episode 69: What You Need To Know About Kidney Disease?

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson highlights March as National Kidney Month.  Kidney disease is often referred to as the “silent killer” because so many people have experienced it and complications that cause it without knowing it for an extended period of time. Tune in so you can be educated about this important topic and proactive with your own health.    Episode Highlights: Do you know what Kidney health is? Do you understand your family history as it relates to kidney disease? Andi says, “More than 37 million Americans have kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, all of which lead to kidney failure often.” What does that mean? More than 90,000 people in the US are waiting for life saving kidney transplants. Andi lists the signs of kidney disease and encourages the listeners to visit nkf.org for more information. How can you create generational health? In Cincinnati, LifeCenter is working with The Links Incorporated and Closing The Health Gap and will be holding their first ever forum on this issue of diabetes and kidney disease.  Andi says they have seen an increase in children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and that is the wrong way to be trending. Andi says the partnership forum will open the conversation for physicians and others who have been through the experience so that everyone can be educated to take steps they need to for generational health. You can find out more about Closing the Health Gap at https://closingthehealthgap.org/ There will be a lot  more content coming on the podcast this year. For previous episodes visit https://lifepassiton.org/ Tweetable Quotes: “More than 37 million Americans have kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, all of which lead to kidney failure often.” -Andi “More than 90,000 people in our country are waiting for life saving kidney transplants.” -Andi “This is a great month to start the conversation about kidney health and understand if this may impact you.” -Andi Resources:  https://closingthehealthgap.org/ https://www.kidney.org/ https://aopo.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

Episode 68: Role Of Executive Director For An OPO, With Barry Massa

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson finishes up the series of exploring all the parts and roles in the donation process at the OPO. There is one final position to cover, the Executive Director of Life Center, held by Barry Massa. He is also President of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO). Tune in.   Episode Highlights: Donation truly takes a community. Andi reviews how many entities come together to make everything happen. Barry Massa is the Executive Director of Life Center and has had that position since June of last year. Life Center is part of 56 Organ Procurement Centers across the United States; 48 of those are members of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO). Barry explains what AOPO does. Andi asks why some centers aren’t a part of AOPO. Andi asks Barry what some of his biggest challenges are. “The whole donation and transplantation system has been under the microscope as of late”, says Barry. Barry talks about their positive outlook and taking on the focus to a more proactive stance and educating where misinformation is happening.  The National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine was asked by Congress to do a  research study on the entirety of the donation and transplantation system which was reported in February 2022. Barry talks about the results  Some people who need to be on the transplant list are not because of one reason or another. Barry explains. An executive order by former President Trump addressing issues with transplants and encouraging more transplants to occur stirred the change. Barry said it started as a Kidney Health Initiative. Barry talks about the trends over the last 5 years. He also talks about taking a systematic approach to ensure that organs are used and don’t have to be discarded. What changes do hospitals need to have? What government agencies need to come together to dialogue more change?  What does donation and transplantation look like in the next 5 years? Andi asks Barry to share the biggest misconceptions he hears. Andy defines Barry as a bridge builder who desires to do the very best he can to improve everything. 3 Key Points: Barry explains how AOPO works and the beauty of working together to save lives. Every OPO has looked to see what they can do better. Organ donations and organs transplanted have gone up over the last 5 years and many are working to continue that. In 5 years, Barry envisions a much more cohesive donation and transplantation system that allows more people to get transplanted.     Resources: https://aopo.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

Community Heroes: El mes del corazon y la historia negra- EP 48

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555  

Episode 67: The Gift Of Receiving A Heart Transplant With Donna Jones Baker

During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson speaks with Donna Jones Baker who recently received the gift of life through the donation of a kidney and a heart. Donna has learned to appreciate organ donation and its ability to help save so many lives!   Episode Highlights:    February 14th is National Donor Day, a day to honor all those who have been affected by organ donation. Donna was originally born in Paducah, Kentucky and went to Murray State University. After getting married, Donna lived in Baltimore for 22 years before moving to Cincinnati to become the CEO of The Urban League. Had it not been for the heart attack that she suffered, Donna believes she would still be at The Urban League. Initially, Donna received a Z-pack for what she thought to be a cold or a flu. Donna was able to make it to the hospital after suffering from a heart attack where she was equipped with an LVAD. Doctors wanted to give Donna a heart transplant, but couldn’t because they discovered cancer on her kidney. After doctors removed her kidney, Donna was placed on the transplant list for a new heart and kidney. According to the numbers, people of color suffer disproportionately from the effects of COVID. The months between her kidney removal and kidney/heart transplant were very scary for Donna. Doctors feared that Donna’s remaining kidney would not be able to support her and that she would have to go on dialysis. The same doctor that fixed Donna’s LVAD performed her heart and kidney transplant. Donna had to be careful with the medications that she took because the heart and kidney don’t want the same things. With the help of her husband, Greg, Donna was able to make it through a transplant during a pandemic. Donna advises those going through a similar situation to try not to think about it all the time. The gifts of life and grandchildren keep Donna grateful for every day that she opens her eyes. Through the pandemic, Donna has remained in touch with her children and grandchildren via Zoom. Working in organ donation is a tough job, but one that saves many lives. Donna hopes to schedule a trip to Baltimore to visit her grandchildren once the pandemic is over. Right now, there are over 100,000 people in need of a life-saving transplant surgery. 3 Key Points: After initially thinking she had the flu, Donna agreed to host a round table event on Friday the 13th. That following Sunday, she suffered a heart attack from Giant Cell Myocarditis. Many African Americans decline to become organ donors out of a fear that if someone of note needed an organ, doctors would take it from them without consideration for their lives. To stay in touch and grow with her family members, Donna has started a Sunday night Zoom Bible study.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) Donna’s Story Urban League Of Greater Southwestern Ohio

Episode 66: What does The Chief Administration Officer Do Within An OPO (Organ Procurement Organization)?

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson finishes up the series of exploring all the parts and roles in the donation process at the OPO. Many different entities come together to make it all possible. Today, Tracie Shelton, the Chief Administration Officer joins the show to share about her role in the organization. Tune in! Episode Highlights: Andi reviews the departments that she has spoken with over this series and the value of how so many come together for the life-saving gifts of organ donation. The nature of working in an OPO is very gratifying and mission-focused. If you are looking to move into something that has more meaning and a way to give back to the community, a role at LifeCenter or in an OPO may be for you. Andi introduces Tracie Shelton, who is new to the OPO and is the current Chief Administration Officer. Tracie has extensive experience in healthcare. She is a nurse by background and has held a lot of leadership roles at high performing hospitals in the area.  Life Center has been the opportunity of a lifetime for Tracie, she says. She explains when she came in and went to the community breakfast right away. Andi asks Tracie what it has been like to switch from larger organizations to a smaller one. She shares the benefits. Regulations are Tracie’s speciality and she wants to add value to support the mission and all teams. What does a typical day look like for the Chief Administration Officer since it can look different each day? Who reports to this role? The level of professionalism and work at LifeCenter is amazing, Tracie says. The relationships between LifeCenter and donor families are so strong. Tracie talks about that importance as she has seen the other transplant side in healthcare. What skills are necessary for a role like Tracie’s? Andi reminds the listeners that there are 104,398 men, women, and children who need an organ transplant. How can you help? 3 Key Points: Tracie sees being at LifeCenter as an opportunity of a lifetime because of the mission-focused and life-saving work. What does a typical day look like for the Chief Administration Officer since it can look different each day? You have what it takes when you have the leadership skills, you often need to just be. Tracie talks about confidence building, communication, and the feeling that you can really rely on each other.     Resources: https://aopo.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

Episode 65: What does The Chief Operating Officer Do Within An OPO (Organ Procurement Organization)? With Matt Niles

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson finishes up the series on  ‘The Donation Process Through The Lens Of The OPO’, exploring how things work and who is involved. There will be two additional guests for the series that will join in to share what they do within the OPO. Today, Matt Niles joins the show to discuss his new role at Life Center as the Chief Operations Officer. Tune in!   Episode Highlights: Andi reminds the audience that she has interviewed people in every department of the OPO because each one plays a critical role in the donation value chain. You can check out any of the interviews from previous episodes at : https://lifepassiton.org/ or wherever you listen to your podcasts. It truly takes a community to facilitate donation. Andi reviews everyone who is involved. The purpose of this series has been two-fold: 1) to explain more about the OPO’s role and functionality so that the audience understands how the organ, eye, and tissue donations come to be as well as the intricacies of the life-saving and life-healing process. 2) If you are considering a career change, especially to something with deeper meaning to you, you can learn more about the different roles to the piece of the puzzle. Andi introduces Matt Niles who is new to Life Center specifically but not new to the OPO world.  Matt Niles shares his background in Organ Procurement. He has been in the donation field since 2001.  Matt is from a small rural town in Pennsylvania. His family was very big on volunteering and he volunteered in their small community hospital when he was in junior high school. At age 14, he saw a pamphlet about organ donation in the hospital. He filled out the donor card that evening with his parents. Matt has been with Life Center for 3 months. Previously, he has been in many different roles that ultimately led him to being the COO here.  Matt shares his goals as he has taken over the role of CEO with Life Center. He says a lot of changes are happening in the industry and he wants to best prepare everyone for moving forward in those changes. The field of transplant is relatively new, only being around for about 40 years so there are a lot of innovations and changes everyday.  Matt has had friends who have received transplants and he has had a friend who passed away waiting on the National Transplant Waiting List and he is a donor family. He is very passionate about it being his life’s work. Organ transplantation doesn’t happen without donation so it is an incredibly important process. Matt talks about everything that he oversees. Andi asks him to share the expertise that he brings. Matt shares the personal story of his grandfather who was a donor. Donor families and the people waiting are Matt’s WHY and focus.  Andi talks about the value of Matt’s outside perspective and ability to challenge Life Center for growth.  Matt has the perspective of a donor family, as an ICU and ER nurse where he cared for patients at their bedside, and as a clinician being a part of the process when the OPO comes in and provides the opportunity of donation to a family. He started out as a donation coordinator at the OPO in Pittsburg, PA When he wanted to go back to grad school he switched over to a large hospital as a director of the medical ICU and dialysis centers. He remained the chair of the hospital donor committee. After grad school, he had the opportunity to return to OPO as a director in Washington D.C.  Andi asks Matt to share what a day in his work looks like and how it starts.  What about the philosophy of some people in the community who believe that if they are a registered donor they will be killed for their organs? What does it take to qualify to be a donor? There are so many misconceptions in healthcare in general and even more in donation and transplants. Matt says it is their responsibility to acknowledge the doubts and fears but also bring the powerful truths and educate so families can make the right decision for them. Andi asks Matt to share what he finds most challenging about his role today. What does it take to be a COO at an Organ Procurement Organization? Andi reminds everyone that there are 104,398 men, women, and children who need a life-saving organ. Learn what being a donor really means or register as a donor at https://lifepassiton.org/or https://registerme.org/  3 Key Points: Matt Niles shares that his school of thought has always been that he won’t need his organs anymore when he is gone so he should give them to someone who does; It has been a very straightforward decision for him since he was 14 and led him to his career and where he is today. Transplant is a relatively new field, only having been around about 40 years. Matt says there are innovations and changes everyday that they need to stay on top of and ahead of and ultimately eliminate the deaths that are occuring on the waiting list. Matt clarifies what it takes to qualify to be an organ donor and that the hospital always 100% of the time tries to save all patient lives.   Resources: https://aopo.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

Episode 64: Understanding How Organ Procurement Organizations Are Financed

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson winds down the series on  ‘The Donation Process Through The Lens Of The OPO’, exploring how things work and who is involved. If you missed the previous episode in the series, you can find them at lifepassiton.org or wherever you listen to your podcasts.  Today, Andi talks with Maryanne Krumpleman, the finance manager. Tune in to hear how this piece of the puzzle comes together. Episode Highlights: Andi explains how Life Center works with so many different entities to facilitate organ donation. The United Network of Organ Sharing houses the waitlist of the more than 100,000 people waiting for an organ. Andi reminds the audience of the ‘book ends’ to this process and that it is the people. The people who designate themselves to be donors or their families…it all begins with that yes and that is how everything unfolds. If you’re thinking about a career change, as many look to do something with more meaning, organ donation is a wonderful career path; They give back every single day. Maryanne Krumpleman is the finance manager of Life Center. Prior to COVID in 2019, she made the decision to leave corporate America where she had spent most of her career. She says it was the best decision of her life to start working for Life Center in 2020. Five years ago, Maryanne’s best friend’s husband was in need of a kidney. It turns out his wife was a match to be a donor which is very unusual. They went through the transplant process in 2017 and are doing very well today. What does the finance department do at the Life Center? Maryanne explains that they are a nonprofit organization but structured similarly to a hospital. How do all of the employees get paid as well as health insurance, insurance on the building, all other vendors that are included? After a family gives the authorization, Life Center’s finance department takes on the cost of donation.  Andi asks Maryanne Krumpleman to explain the aspects of finance. There are many parts to the ‘checks and balances’ of the finances for Life Center. Maryanne explains how many things must get approved by the board of directors and Executive Director as well as audits and aligning with all government regulations. What is a sack fee?  Healthcare in general is expensive and Andi explains there is a cost to make everything operate efficiently and appropriately. Maryanne explains that there is a pay scale for different types of tissues. Andi asks Maryanne what the most challenging aspects of her job are. All of the managers have a great passion for the overall mission. Maryanne explains that in a corporate world, all the meetings were about how much money could be made, the bottom line, etc. She shares how it is truly a breath of fresh air at Life Center because the focus is not on money but on the mission of saving and enhancing the lives of people. What kinds of skills would you need to fill a similar role to Maryanne’s? Maryanne talks about how they receive memorial contributions and how their responsibility is to use those funds to spread the word and utilize them well.  Andi says the generosity of the community has been overwhelming to see over the years and the importance of educating the community in return. home at the end of the day.” -Maryanne “Today there are 104,869 men, women, and children who are in need of a lifesaving organ and also today 21 of those individuals will die because the organ they needed was not available,” says Andi. She explains how you can help. 3 Key Points: Maryanne’s eyes were opened to how many people are on the list waiting for kidneys specifically when she was alongside her best friend and her husband going through the transplant process. There are many aspects of the finance department. Maryanne explains all aspects from weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly, etc. and how all the monitoring and auditing works as well as in accordance with the government. Life Center is passionately committed to the mission of saving and enhancing lives. It is challenging and very rewarding. The organization is set apart by how all of their functions work together for the overall goal and truly making a difference.       Resources: https://aopo.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

Community Heroes: Se puede tener ataúd abierto.- Ep 47

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555  

Episode 63: How Does A Family Aftercare Coordinator Help Donor Families? With Katie Wright

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson continues the series on  ‘The Donation Process Through The Lens Of The OPO’, exploring how things work and who is involved. If you missed the previous episode in the series, you can find them at lifepassiton.org or wherever you listen to your podcasts.  Today, Andi talks with Katie Wright,  a family aftercare coordinator with Life Center. . Tune in to hear her personal connection to the organization as well as her career path. Episode Highlights: Katie, a family aftercare coordinator introduces herself. She has been with Life Center for nine years. Andi asks Katie what led her to begin working at Life Center; She shares that her brother was waiting on the transplant list and ended up passing away while he was waiting. He went on to be a tissue donor. He was young at 32. Katie used to work in the communication department and she actually started up the aftercare department when Life Center wanted to make a bigger support system for donor families. What exactly does aftercare do? Katie talks about outcome letters which thanks families and explains what they know about what their gifts and how they helped. What is the communication process between recipient and donor family? “Every recipient and every donor family handles their grief and their survivor's guilt and medical bumps in the road differently”, says Katie. She explains that some families want the letter and sometimes they don’t. Their department balances that to meet the needs of what people want and need. Andi asks Katie to talk about how Aftercare helps in bereavement.  Katie talks about events and live streaming to reach families and give opportunities for them to connect with other families. Andi shares her perspective on families interacting with each other as she has seen it play out. Families receive a memorial gift from Life Center too to celebrate and remember their family members. What is the Donor Family Council? Andi asks Katie to share how her family personally remembers her brother. Katie and Andi talk  about The Path Of Life located in a local park, Mt. Echo. Families receive ribbons of remembrance to tie on trees if they choose. Andi asks Katie what the most rewarding part of working at Life Center is. There are many people struggling with grief; Andi says lifepassiton.org has a lot of resources and encourages checking it out.     3 Key Points: How  does the Family Aftercare Department contribute to the value chain of organ, eye, and tissue donation? Andi and Katie discuss what they do and how it impacts lives. Katie’s personal experience with her brother being a tissue donor at 32 after passing away waiting on the organ transplant list which prepared her to be the one who actually helped start up the aftercare department which Life Center specifically created to provide more comprehensive care and support for donor families. Recipients and donor families sometimes do want contact and others do not. The aftercare department helps facilitate the communications if/when it is appropriate to meet everybody’s needs.   Resources: https://aopo.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

Episode 62: Awareness Of Kidney Donation with CEO of Christ Hospital, Debbie Hayes

During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson talks to Debbie Hayes. She is a healthcare leader in Cincinnati, and specifically she leads a number one ranked hospital in the Cincinnati region. Tune in to hear her experiences and perspective on kidney donation. Episode Highlights:  Debbie began as a nurse at Christ Hospital. She worked her way up to being CEO, also led the Board of Directors at LifeCenter Organ Donor Network for 9-10 years.  She started her career 34 years ago as a student nurse aide. The one thing that always amazed her about this organization is that you are given opportunities to grow and develop your talents. The pandemic was one of the most challenging times in the history of healthcare, but it has also been one of the most rewarding times. Because of the extraordinary efforts of an incredible team of people working they have still kept that mission of the organization at the forefront of everything that they do despite every challenge. “We are definitely grateful for all of our hospital partners throughout our service area who are able to facilitate organ, eye, and tissue donation”, says Andi. Many people who have organ failures of any kind are not able to fully experience what life is all about,which is why Debbie is passionate about this. Andi inquires, during the pandemic, “Did that affect patients waiting for kidney transplants at Christ Hospital?” One of the trends that she has noticed during her time at the Life Center is that living kidney donation continues to increase. Debbie explains her thoughts about why we are seeing more people making that choice to be a living kidney donor. Andi had the opportunity to interview a young woman who was actually waiting for a kidney, and she was listed at Christ, and she just could not say enough about what a positive experience has been with her team there. There are probably a million-plus surgeries that occur in the country requiring donor tissue, which is very interesting.  Andi recalls a story about  a young woman who was a volunteer and ambassador, and she has been waiting for a kidney for about three years, and unfortunately, she passed away. But she was able to be a cornea donor, and it just meant so much to her husband and young daughter.  Debbie talks about who/what experience has helped shape her into the leader she has become. Andi asks Debbie to give advice to someone who is just starting out in their career in healthcare and may be inspired to lead a healthcare system down the road.  3 Key Points: Debbie shares how she maintains the passion for the work that she has been doing. She was recently named CEO of the Christ Hospital after serving as interim for a period of time, and just as an outsider looking in, it seems like health care leaders don’t tend to stay put with this same place for so long. She shares what it is that kept her at Christ all of this time. During the pandemic, things at the LifeCenter were quite dramatic. Debbie talks about the changes they have had to undergo during this time to attract people to sign up to be donors.  There are about 750,000 people a year in the United States that have kidney failure. If we could get a transplant for every single one of those patients when they needed it, wouldn’t that really make an impact in the United States?       Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website  https://www.donatelife.net/nmdam/

Community Heroes- El don de la vida.- Ep 46

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 61: Why Do OPO’s Need A Quality Assurance Department?

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson talks with Sarah Kepf to continue the series on “The Donation Process From The Lens of The OPO” where she has been taking listeners through step by step how the donation process works and all of the different departments and people involved within the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO). If you want to know more about how the gift of life comes to be through donation, tune in now!   Episode Highlights: Andi reviews the previous speakers in this series of exploring the process of donation through the OPO- Organ Procurement Organization.  The Process begins in Donation Support services with donation coordinators as the following step. There are also the family services coordinators, organ recovery specialists, and tissue recovery technicians. Andi has interviewed people in each of these departments - if you missed it be sure to check the episode list! Organ, eye, and tissue donation is deeply collaborative. It takes a community of hospitals and staff, transplant centers, the OPO, sometimes the coroner, and funeral homes. Did you know that a donor can have an open casket? Andi says, “The body of a donor is treated with the utmost care and integrity.” The Quality Assurance Department is critical to the donation chain. They ensure that the OPO is compliant in the recovery process as well as all policies are correct. They work closely with regulatory agencies to make sure that the organization is working in line with them.  Sarah Kepf introduces herself. She has been with Life Center for 11 years; She started as a tissue chart reviewer and is now the Quality Assurance Manager. Fresh out of nursing school Sarah joined The Life Center. She shares how she journeyed through her career to where she is now.  Andi asks Sarah to talk about The Quality Department’s role in the donation value chain. Sarah’s department works closely with auditors and surveyors from a regulatory standpoint. There is also a safety standpoint of the Quality department;  Sarah is the safety officer. If an event occurs, she is interviewing staff members or she is testing different incidents.  Sarah says they are also heavily involved in process improvement which is up and coming to ensure that the organization is running as smoothly as possible and staying up to date with any new changes.  The Quality department started with two people and they now have eight.  Sarah talks about how they continue to stay true to the mission of enhancing lives and honoring all in the very important process they follow. Andi asks Sarah to give examples of incidents that she may have to investigate. If an error occurs it is a chance for improvement. The other departments have an understanding of how Quality is improving work for everyone. How can someone get involved in the quality department? Sarah shares that it is beneficial to have a medical background as well as attention to detail and ability to critically think. Andi asks Sarah what is most challenging about her role.  Healthcare is ever-changing so Quality really has to stay on top of changes and who the changes will impact as it could be one department or could trickle down to another as well. Sometimes people question how regulated organ donation is. Andi and Sarah discuss myths people believe. Sarah brings up how they have laws that heavily regulate everything. If you are interested in life center career opportunities or becoming a donor, you can check at https://lifepassiton.org/   3 Key Points: Organ, eye, and tissue donation takes a community working together. Hospitals and their staff, transplant centers, many in the OPO, coroners, and funeral homes. The Quality Assurance department ensures that the organization remains audit ready and that they are compliant with their regulatory and government bodies. Sarah shares how they do that. The Life Center continues to grow and flourish with their mission to enhance lives through donation while honoring those who gave. Sarah and Andi talk about how it is done in such a way that looks out for everyone.      Resources: https://aopo.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

Episode 60: Finding Your Way Through Grief with Chamoda Palmore

During this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson speaks with Chamoda Palmore, a father to a son that was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident on his way to football practice in 2014. As a man, Chamoda knows that he might grieve differently than other people, but as someone going through his own journey of grief, he knows it’s important to find a way to grieve.   Episode Highlights:    Chamoda is a business owner that lost his son, Chamoda Kennedy-Palmore, to a motorcycle accident. Throughout his journey of grief, Chamoda has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. It takes a lot of patience to get through the grieving process. Chamoda has leaned heavily on his faith, friends, family, and various support organizations. After meeting a woman who lost 2 children to a car crash, Chamoda was able to put things into perspective. Even 6 years later, it doesn’t feel real to Chamoda, it feels like someone is missing. Chamoda found it difficult to engage with other people, staying away from family functions and gatherings. If you have other children or people that depend on you, it’s important to find some level of normalcy again. Giving back through Chamoda’s Candy Cafe and Chamoda’s foundation has helped Chamoda heal. Right now more than ever, people all over the world need support and care from anyone that can give it. Chamoda’s 2 daughters and wife have all dealt with Chamoda’s death in different ways. When tragedy first strikes, it’s like the rainy season in April and it moistens up your heart to bloom in May. It’s important to plant the right things, love, support, passion, during the initial phase of grieving. Chamoda understood that it was a slippery slope to turn to a path of destructive behavior if grief is not handled correctly. For about 2 months after his son died, Chamoda couldn’t open the bible. Chamoda is comforted by knowing that as a tissue donor, Chamoda’s death was able to help many people. The local driver’s ed has incorporated Chamoda’s organ and tissue donation into its program. It’s hard for men to speak about their grief, but it’s important to find someone to talk to about their feelings. Men feel that they have to be so strong for the family but that doesn’t mean they can’t let it out somewhere else. Around the holidays, it’s important to find different ways to express your grief. Chamoda helped more than 30 people as a tissue and cornea donor. When his son died, Chamoda felt like an infant that just needed to be held. Have patience with those in your life that has lost someone; eventually, it will slow down, but for now, listen.   3 Key Points: Chamoda likens his journey of grief to that of a baby’s journey of learning to walk. Right now, he is holding onto the banister as he guides his feet. Giving back to other people out there that are hurting can help someone heal and get through their own grief. Chamoda’s organ and tissue donation, now a part of their local driver’s ed video, has helped encourage others to become donors.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) Chamoda’s Candy Cafe (website, Facebook) What's Your Grief Grief In Common Refuge In Grief The Center for Loss

Community Heroes-Those Impacted By Organ, Eye, And Tissue Donation- Ep 45

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation. Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 59: A Mother’s Story About A Tragic Loss And A 15-year-olds Mission To Always Help Others.

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi Johnson speaks with Aimee Cordrey. She will be sharing the gift of life that her son, Nicholas has given to many recipients and how influenced others to do the same. She will also be reflecting some light upon the life of her son and sharing her story of grief and pathway to healing. Tune in now for this special story. Episode Highlights:  Aimee Cordrey is married to Darren Cordray. They have been married for over 20 years and been together for a little bit longer than that. They met in college, and they have two sons Richard, a 19 year old, and Nick, who would be 17, but he is forever 15. Both of them are athletes, very different yet very similar in their interests and just how they approach life. In the middle of the pandemic Aimee and her family had been quarantined like everyone else for quite some time. School had just ended. Nick had just finished freshman year of high school and it was Memorial Day. Nick and Aimee went shopping that day to get some hamburgers and some vegetables and different things to grill out. Nick hadn't seen his friends because of quarantine. Aimee allowed him to go meet some of his friends at a local ice cream shop that was within walking distance of their house because one of his best friends was leaving for vacation the next day and she was going to be gone for two weeks. Nick decided to take a shower at night. All of a sudden Aimee heard the water go on and then they heard some really heavy, intense breathing, they were shocked. They thought it was our other son Richard, playing video games. She went to the basement, but it was not Richard, it was Nick. Nick loved life and he approached everything with this attitude of – "I can do it." His family really believed he was going to be okay and pull through. Aimee explains how and when they went about the conversation of Nick being an orgn donor. The hospital staff acknowledged all the protocols that they have in place, and they contacted Life Center. Nick had not yet been able to get his temps. He would have been eligible for them. The month that everything happened, he had actually registered as an organ donor. The letter that Aimee received said that Nick saved five people with seven organs, and probably impacted 40 to 50 others. The only thing Nick was unable to donate was his intestines, which they initially believed he was going to be able to do until they started doing the surgery. Aimee shares her thoughts on what it all meant to her, Darren and Richard to know that Nick helped so many people by donating his organs.  “Learning that sometimes bad things happen to good people and learning to be ok with that and it is not even being ok with it, it's just accepting it- that is one piece of it. The donation piece brings that pride.” -Aimee Aimee thinks that being able to talk about organ donation enables her to talk about Nick.  Andi feels like Aimee is doing so much just to help people understand the magnitude of the donation and its impact. Andi asks Aimee about the project that she is working on at his school in his honor.  One of Nick's friends, Grayson, started a change.org petition. He wanted to have the school board name the soccer field after Nick. There isn't a lesson here when it comes to losing a son. The only lesson that Aimee has learned is that bad things happen to good people, and she has learned that when you encounter a loss like this you integrate it into your life, you don't overcome it. Grief is something that has stages and some stages may be re-visited at times. It is ongoing. Nick loved everything. All of the time he was researching,  reading to understand deeply, caring deeply, everything was with passion, everything was with full intent. He didn't do anything without truly caring about it. If he was gonna do it, he was doing it 100% all in and that's what Nick was, and he is. 3 Key Points: Nick had a brain aneurysm that his family didn't know about. Nick did not complain of a headache that day. He didn't have any signs of anything that day. He had an amazing day, and it was that quick. They called 911. They were very quick, they took him to the hospital, his aneurysm ruptured three times. At the hospital, they did surgery on him and for 9 days his family thought Nick was going to make it.  Aimee tells the listeners how Nick was able to help other people through the gift of life that he was able to give.  Each one of us is different. Unique as people, Aimee thinks everyone's grief is very unique. She needed to be around other people. Aimee thinks that the donor family council is amazing. They are a source of strength. They are unshakable. Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website

Community Heroes: La fe y la gratitud por la donación.- EP 44

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Community Heroes: If You Donate A Portion Of Your Liver, Will It Grow Back?- Ep 43

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Community Heroes: Why Should You Attend The Life Center Community Breakfast?- EP 42

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 58: How Can Family Genetics Lead To The Need For a Liver Transplant? With Tony Burdette

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi will speak with Mr. Tony Burdette, who will discuss his involvement with organ donation. Tony's life was saved in August 2019 via a liver transplant. His father passed down a genetic disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency to him. He was diagnosed in the early 1990s, with symptoms including exhaustion and low platelet counts. Tune in for his great story.   Episode Highlights:  Tony had never given much thought to organ donation, but sometimes it takes a crisis to bring it to the forefront of your mind. Tony's father underwent a liver transplant in 1997, but it was a painful experience since, after 14 hours, the surgeons came out and told them that he probably wouldn't survive. But, happily, doctors were able to get it to work sufficiently, and he received a second transplant two days later.  The hereditary condition does not impact everyone. They can live perfectly well without it. However, something triggered Tony's liver in early 2019, and his liver began to fail rapidly. Tony had all the excess fluid in his body, common for people with liver failure. So, he had to have the procedure called a thoracentesis, and over seven months, he had to have that procedure done 52 times. Tony couldn’t keep having these procedures every other day. So at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for evaluation at the Transplant clinic, he was put on the list rather quickly around the beginning of May and received his liver on August 3rd, 2019. It was a quick illness for Tony and a painful one, but thankfully his transplant and the surgery were very successful. He was discharged from the hospital just five days later without any complications. Tony has a brother. He obviously has the deficiency, but he hasn’t had any symptoms so far. He is under the care of a GI, and they are keeping close tabs on him. Both of Tony’s children have a deficiency as well, and they are under the care of the liver transplant team at children just out of precaution. The doctors check them every year and have liver scans done to keep a check on them and make sure everything is ok. About three weeks after Tony’s transplant, he received two letters in the mail from elementary-age girls who wrote him a letter and said that they just wanted to let him know that he had received their mother’s liver. Tony has studied music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory, one of the greatest in the world, and it is such an honor to be accepted there. Tony is the artistic director of an organization called Aviva Voices Choral Organization. It’s an organization that he founded, and it provides high-quality community choirs for children, youth, and adults. The program’s cornerstone is the brand new work for a course and orchestra called the breath of life, and it was written actually before the pandemic. Often, being open with what you are going through can impact other people. When Tony was going through all this, we posted periodically about this on social media as encouragement for people. Tony encourages people to not be afraid no matter what you are going through in life. Be open, share, and find people that you can talk to and know that your story can impact people.   3 Key Points: Alpha-1 antitrypsin is an enzyme and it is created in the liver. The deficiency is that the enzyme gets trapped in the liver and creates a deficiency in the lungs. But when that enzyme gets trapped in the liver, it can cause liver damage. Tony has spent his whole career serving as a professional musician, singing professionally with opera and orchestras around the country, and doing a lot of conducting with choirs and teaching singing. Tony’s concert’s date is Saturday, April 30th, the last day of the month and the last day of donating life month. The concert is taking place at Christ Church Cathedral, which is a huge, beautiful venue.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://www.vivavoices.net/about/ https://www.facebook.com/tony.burdette.5

Community Heroes: What is Cornea and Tissue Donation? Q&A With Lincoln Ware Of WDBZ-EP 41

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.    Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 57: Kidney Disease Can Be A Silent Organ Killer, With Dr. Govil

During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson talks to Dr. Govil,who has been in health care for many years, specifically working in the area of kidneys and kidney health He is a professor of medicine at UC Health as well as Director of Transplant and Chief Section of Transplantation.    Episode Highlights:  Dr. Govil shares has been in this field for over 20 years and he has dedicated more than 15 years of that time to take care of patients needing kidney transplants. Dr. Govil shares why he chose this area of medicine to practice in. One of Dr. Govil’s first exposures as a medical resident was with a patient who had trace protein in the urine. All of them, as residents, ignored that component of lab finding and did not realize that their finding was a world-renowned figure in diabetic kidney disease. One in six of the US population is at risk for kidney disease, and more importantly, one in 10 out of the US has some element of kidney disease or chronic kidney disease. Dr. Govil says kidney disease is very silent. You may only have pain in the kidneys when you have physical problems like kidney stones or any cyst that is hurting you.  The only way you discover kidney disease is through the blood test and routine numbers analysis. Diet does play a role in making kidney disease worse or stable, but a lot of that has to be done with how we manage our primary disease, which is causing kidney disease.  It is very difficult to ask one patient to stop eating salt because everything we eat around us is loaded with salt, and it is very difficult to break that cycle, says Dr. Govil. Andi asks, “Is this kidney disease more prevalent here in America, or is it more prevalent in other parts of the world?” There are definitely certain aspects of kidney disease that we do not understand, which means that they may have familial clustering, says Dr. Govil. As we progress, we now can identify certain genes that make one more prone to have kidney disease, which does not mean that everyone who has it will present with it. Andi asks about Dr. Govil’s experience specifically, “Do you see more of Caucasian patients? Do they seem to have more success in identifying living kidney donors? And if so, why do you think that is?” When we look at the transplant or people who are receiving dialysis, 1/3 of them are African American, which means that there is definitely more propensity of any disease in this group of patients than any other group. Dr. Govil says, “When we look at the number of people on the list compared to the people who get transplanted and then compare it to the number of people who are on dialysis, they just don't add up completely.” Dr. Govil clarifies the myth that kidney donation can harm a donor in the short run and in the long term. As per Dr. Govil, education is the key, and that is what he feels when he goes to multiple outreach clinics in the tri-state area, and he realizes a lot of these barriers are related to misinformation. Dr. Govil gives recommendations for keeping your kidneys healthy. Don't count on kidney pain as one of the symptoms because kidney pain really is not a symptom of kidney disease -that is just a mechanical problem, which could be because of a stone in the kidney or some cyst. Diseases are frightening in many aspects; These are things that could be prevented if we took the proper steps and proactively saw our doctors. Changes in organ allocation will generally increase some of the volume, but it will definitely increase the volume for certain centers to do more transplants. A donor that may have hepatitis is now able to give organs to the patient in need of a transplant, and then that can be treated, says Andi. The dialysis survival is really dismal over a period of time. So, a 10-year survival on dialysis is around 10%.   3 Key Points: Dr. Govil explains what leads someone to having kidney failure. We have to realize that the kidneys are affected by a lot of things that happen in our body, whether it be high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other changes that may be related to some problems happening at the level of the kidney itself. Kidney disease means we are in a tier of the kidney, which is a very silent process and so essentially, your kidneys really do not have to hurt and actually they do not hurt at all when you fail your kidneys over a period of time. If we have a healthy, balanced diet to stabilize our diabetes and high blood pressure, it will indirectly help keep our kidneys happy and healthy. Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website  https://www.donatelife.net/nmdam/

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes-Gratitud por los BMVs- Ep 40

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 56: A Heart Transplant Recipient Is On A Mission To Educate Her Community About Heart Health, With Sandra Wright

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson is talking with Sandra Wright. She has a special testimony to share. The goal of this podcast is to help listeners understand what organ donation is and isn’t and how it truly impacts others. February is Black History Month and American Heart Month. Sandra is a transplant survivor and the founder of The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association. Tune in now for her special story! Episode Highlights:  Sandra is a heart transplant recipient. In 2014, she contracted a virus that was never named but lingered and left her with a side effect of shortness of breath. Later that year, she was on vacation when it all kind of climaxed. She shares her story of going to the hospital and the dire state she was in. She was told she had Heart Failure but she went into immediate denial. She cautions the listeners against denial because then you don’t do what you need to do. There will be a book coming out to tell Sandra’s full story in the future to help many. Christ Hospital in Cincinnati set her on the path of her life being saved.  Prior to Sandra’s visit at Christ Hospital, every two months she would go for maintenance care to control the edema but other than that she wouldn’t take the medicine or change her lifestyle until 2017 when her heart would no longer serve her. Sandra shares how her faith got her through the scary time of being in need of a heart. The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association was created by Sandra to help provide others support, to create a community where they feel respected, heard, and understood. She shares about the services and her vision for down the road. For those who hear they have CFH, Congestive Heart Failure, that is all they are going to think about and can come unexpectedly and at vulnerable times.  Andi shares how the healthcare system is not accessible for all and how detrimental it is for many, especially people of color.  Sandra shares a sad story of talking with her granddaughter who said she ‘hated being black’ and how that ideology fuels her heart and mission to create an environment of support for the African American Community. Andi asks Sandra to share any encouraging thing she is experiencing or new strength she sees in the community. Andi reminds listeners that today, 106,494 people are waiting for life saving organ transplants and more than 3,400 need heart transplants. Can you think about your decision to be a donor and save a life?   3 Key Points: Sandra shares a shocking story of her journey with heart failure and the danger of being in denial of the diagnosis.  The African American community is at the highest risk and has the greatest fatality which led Sandra to create The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association as a community of support. Sandra shares that living 65 years in this world, we are beginning to understand the necessity of working together and supporting each other and that is encouraging and exciting. Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website Sandra Wright   |swright.gcaaha@gmail.com |513-484-4772  The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association

This Thing Called Life- Community Heroes: Generational Health Requires Family And Community Conversations About Today’s Medical Truths- EP 39

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 55: What Does A Hospital Services Coordinator do for an OPO, With Stephanie Gastaldo?

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi speaks with Stephanie Gastaldo. This is our 6th episode in our series of exploring how the donation process works from the OPO lens.. Stephanie talks about her role in the department as a connector to the hospital partners and just keeping the education going and the lines of communication open. Tune in now!   Episode Highlights:  The purpose of the series is twofold; Andi wants to explain more about the OPOs role in functionality so that you can understand how the gifts of organ, eye and tissue donation come to be as well as just understand everything that goes into this life saving and life healing process.  Stephanie talks about her role at the Life Center. She also talks about how her brother was an organ and tissue donor.  Stephanie talks about her work at the Life Center as a Hospital Services Coordinator. She says that the best part of her job is to tell her elder brother's story and make people aware of organ, eye and tissue donation.  Stephanie's role is to make sure she is first and foremost and building relationships with the teams that includes physicians, bedside nurses, chaplain respiratory therapist, a hospital unit coordinator, patient care support staff to make sure that she is building these relationships, that they know who is life center, why we need to work together specifically educating that it's a center for Medicare and Medicaid services requirement.  Daily at 7:00 AM Stephanie takes a call with all the coordinators and the staff they connect to discuss what's going on, what the day is going to look like as it's always changing. Apart from her day-to-day duties Stephanie also focuses on building education and scheduling events.  Stephanie talks about the challenges faced by her department during the pandemic and how they coped up in the entire situation.  As a Hospital Unit Coordinator, you can't be super reactionary to things, you will have to be a hustler and good responder to challenging situations, says Stephanie. As a Hospital Unit Coordinator, you have to have really good skills of just listening and responding to what people are telling you and then being able to find the important information from what they are telling you. The biggest challenge of Stephanie's job is to slow down amidst all the hustle-bustle around her.  One of Stephanie's ways to reset her emotional dial is to hear a donor story or a donor family story or to hear the recipient's stories.  Stephanie talks about her biggest challenge in community relations. Not everyone has this same understanding or experience or level of support of donation that others may have made, says Andi. Stephanie's goal every day is just to make sure that her hospital staff is aware of the process to ultimately give these families what they deserve, which is the most respectful supportive braces through donation.   3 Key Points: Stephanie talks about her life altering experience post losing two of her brothers.  Stephanie shares the importance of relationship building and how she trains and motivates the staff and educates them so that they become ready to deal with patients and their families.  Stephanie shares the skill sets and characteristics that are required to succeed as a Hospital Unit Coordinator.

This Thing Called Life- Community Heroes: Minorías esperando un órgano- EP 38

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 54: The Impact Of Tissue Donation On Our Community

Today on This Thing Called Life, Andi leads the discussion for the the 5th episode of the special series- The Donation Process From the Lens of the OPO (Organ Procurement Organization). In this episode, Andi talks with Michele Meyers,  a tissue recovery tech, to discuss the tissue recovery side of this process. If you have missed the previous episode in this series, please go back to follow along the fascinating journey of organ donation with its intricate details and required collaboration. Tune in now to catch the new part of this series.   Episode Highlights:  With this series of podcast, Andi has been explaining more about OPO roles and functionality so that you can know how the gift of organ and eye tissue donation come to be as well as the intricacies of this lifesaving and life healing process. Michele was a surgical tech and she decided that she wanted to do something else, but she still wanted to kind of stay in the surgery field. There was somebody who mentioned tissue recovery tech and she thought  that was something that she could do. Michele enjoys the feeling of knowing that she is helping change and save someone's life with tissue that they recover. Michele works in three-man teams. They have two tissue recovery techs and a team lead. The team lead role is to receive the donor, do the paperwork, and the physical assessments. The donor age creates a lot of challenges to work with, especially if it is a child as a donor, but we have a really supportive team, says Michelle. There have been many times when Michelle came across people who didn't even know about tissue recovery.  The first thing to start as tissue recovery tech, you have to have a sense of humor because it gets you through a lot of things, Michelle. Michelle has never worked at a company where the CEO knows everybody's name. 3 Key Points: Michele talks about what it looks like when the tissue recovery process happens.  What are the skills and traits one needs to have in order to become a tissue recovery tech? In addition to what Michelle does as a tissue recovery technician, she also volunteers her time to help on the community education side.   Resources Mentioned: https://aopo.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes-What You Need To Know About August Minority Donor Awareness Month- EP 37

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.    Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555  

Episode 53:The Process Of Rescuing Organs For Transplantation, With Ethan Fuqua

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi talks about the donation process from the lens of the OPO, where they explore how the donation process unfolds within the Organ Procurement Organization. OPO is central for the multi-faceted process that is donation and transplantation. Today's guest is Ethan Fuqua who is an organ recovery specialist at Life Center. Tune in to hear more about the next steps in the process! Episode Highlights:  Before working at Life Center Ethan was employed as an EPIC analyst with Mercy Health and then before that he was a nurse's aide at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The family service coordinator works with the family to walk them through the process of their loved one being a donor and then there is a transition where the ORS becomes a part of this process, says Andi. Once we have consent for donation, we begin an allocation process and that process is facilitated by the donation coordinators, says Ethan. ORS arrives at the OR before the patient comes to the OR. ORS arrives at OR to set-up equipment, to talk with staff about what they can expect, what they will need during the procedure and similar things. Once the donor is in the OR, we help with getting them onto the OR table, prepping, draping, and the procedure begins when our surgeon has formed a timeout, says Ethan. Ethan always thinks that someone is going to have a significant increase in their quality of life because of what he is doing today. Every department within the life center is working together, all integral and all working towards the same goal for the same mission, and he thinks that's what makes Life Center so good. It is kind of surprising for a lot of people when they hear that we send kidneys on commercial flights, says Ethan. Ethan has such a positive attitude, and he is super professional and very easygoing. Ethan talks about the most challenging part of his role as an ORS. While ORS are performing a lifesaving mission, they are also dealing with death and the emotional parts. Ethan doesn't know any OPO that absolutely requires a person to complete a specific degree program in order to be an Organ Preservationist or ORS. When you are working with the surgeons, you can't be timid. You got to know what you are talking about, where you are and what you're doing, says Ethan.  Everybody has their role in the OR and we all have to be on point because there is no room for not knowing what you're doing, says Ethan. Ethan wanted a job that allowed him to make an impact that was positive on the world because as per him the goal in life should be to leave the world a little bit better than what we came into it as. In transplant you are intersecting so many different disciplines within science. There is just so much to learn in this field and so much to take in if you are someone who likes lifelong learning, says Ethan. It is extremely important that everybody become registered as a donor because please consider the gift that you can give is literally life. It is the ability for somebody else to live, says Ethan. 3 Key Points: A person in the role of ORS has the ability to multitask and understand the various specific steps that have to happen because of rescuing the organ. “There really is not much room for error”, says Andi. Through a team collaborative effort, we can really get a lot of work done and all the ORS have a great collaborative relationship with each other and all other teams, says Ethan. Leadership recognizes that this is heavy work, and we need to be able to speak to people who can help us process hard feelings because sometimes debriefing with colleagues isn't enough, says Ethan.     Resources Mentioned: https://aopo.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes- Por que hablar de la donación- EP 36

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 52: The Role Of The Family Service Coordinator At Life Center, With Jen Malof (Third Installment Of The Donation Process From The OPO Lens Series)

During this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson continues the series on the full donation process from beginning to end; If you have missed the previous episodes in this series, you are encouraged to go back and listen to get the full picture. Today Andi speaks with Jen Malof, who is a Family Services Coordinator.  Tune in. Episode Highlights:  Andi reviews the speakers in this series and the collaborative process of the organ donation process.  Jen Malof has been with Life Center for just over a year. Andi explains how the Family Services Coordinators are the third critical piece in the donation cycle. What does a Family Services Coordinator do to facilitate donation? Andi asks Jen what led her into this field.  Jen was looking to do something that felt larger than myself and helped other people, and working on a team. What is the training and background needed for someone who is a Family Services Coordinator? Jen shares about the variety of backgrounds that make up the current team they have. Jen explains how they set realistic expectations in the interview process and also shares that it is a very supportive culture. Family Service Coordinators are on call a certain number of times. Jen explains how it works. Andi and Jen discuss the unique dynamic of the role of Family Service Coordinator. It all begins with the family. You are a nurturer as a Family Service Coordinator. Jen explains the importance of the team members noting and setting up the next one who will carry on with the family in a successful way. Andi asks Jen what she considers to be the most challenging part of her role. There are office responsibilities, trainings, and on call for the position. Donation actually brings meaning and something positive to the donor families; In a way it brings some peace, comfort, and benefit to them. Jen explains how they see and experience that from the up close relationship with the families. There is extreme caution and care with analyzing the health of a potential gift and  never move forward unless it is healthy enough for recovery. In rare cases, a dcotor can be in surgery and realize the organ is not viable. Jen explains the heartbreak and challenge that is. Organ donors all have after care no matter what the circumstance. Andi asks Jen what is most rewarding about her job and Jen says she doesn’t have enough time to share all of the ways. What is the honor walk in honor of the donor? There are other memory making support services; Jen shares about them. What is the skill set of a Family Service Coordinator? There is a lot of information to communicate in real time and a lot of non-verbal skills as well. Families have to receive a lot of stats and information and there is a lot of paperwork and recording that has to take place also. Jen shares that she is a long time breast cancer survivor and how her life experiences help her relate to the families she works with.  For more information, check out https://aopo.org/   3 Key Points: The organ donation process begins with a person who designated themselves to be a donor or their family who made the decision for that individual to be a donor.This life saving and life-changing gift all begins with that and is a collaborative process from start to finish. Family Service Coordinators fulfill the role of being the main point of contact for that family whose loved one has either chosen to be a donor or if that family makes that decision to move ahead with donation: to support them , to educate them, to answer their questions, adn to be with them throughout the entire process. Donation actually brings meaning and something positive to the donor families; In a way it brings some peace, comfort, and benefit to them. Jen explains how they see and experience that from the up close relationship with the families. Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) https://aopo.org/

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes- Improving Health And Creating Awareness Of The Need For Living Kidney Donors In The Community, With Lincoln Ware- EP 35

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode we talk about the renewal symbolized by the month of June, Pride month and Mens health month. Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

This Thing Called Life-Community Heroes: junio, el mes de Orgullo y de la salud de hombres- EP 34

This episode of TTCL Community Heros will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega.  The monthly interview will provide the Spanish Community with information about Life Center and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.

Episode 51:The Donation Process From The Organ Procurement Organization Lens, With Christenne Wilson

During this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson continues the series on the donation process from the OPO (Organ Procurement Organization) lens. In the last episode we heard from Erica Randall of Donation Support Services. This week, Andi is speaking with Christenne Wilson, a long time staff member at Life Center; She is the Senior Donation Coordinator. She meets family in very difficult times. Tune in to hear about her experiences as it relates to the important process of organ donation.  Episode Highlights:  Many people believe that organ, eye, and tissue donation is just a service of the hospital but Andi shares how it is much bigger than that and requires the collaboration of many. Christenne has been with the Life Center for over 20 years and is currently the Senior Donation Coordinator. She explains her role as one of the individuals who handles the evaluation, medical management, organ placement, and logistics of the operating room for an organ donation. Andi asks Christenne to share what kind of training and background is required to do work like she does. Christenne shares her personal experience with organ donation about her sister who had epilepsy and cerebral palsy. What does brain dead mean? Christenne shares facts that listeners may not be aware of. She explains the difference between that and vegetative state or coma. Organ donation and the education around it has grown significantly over the years.  Christenne explains her connection to the Life Center and how meaningful it has been to her on several levels. Christenne put herself to paraemedic school and applied as an organ coordinator. Andi asks Christenne how she prepares for her day and meeting with families in desperate times.  What happens at the bedside to evaluate potential organ donation? Christenne shares that some cases have changed her forever and how it has been a blessing.  What goes into supporting the families who are in contact with ? Andi talks about how COVID caused many people to reflect and seek more meaningful jobs. Andi asks Christenne to share what a typical work day looks like for a donation coordinator.  Logistics and time frames are very important in the process; Christenne explains. A lot of communication is required for this job because of the many pieces that must come together. An average case lasts about 72 hours so that the right thing is accomplished with the donor. Christenne talks about when organ gifts are placed in other locations. The donation coordinators are very passionate about giving each individual the best preservation options. Have you thought about registering to be a donor? Find out more at https://lifepassiton.org/ 3 Key Points Christenne shares her personal experience with organ donation when her sister passed away and saved several other lives. Organ donation happens through the collaboration of many. Andi and Christenne talk through the organ coordinator role and the piece it is in the overall process. Emotional taxation is high in the role that Christenne has. She talks about the challenges, blessings, and how she perseveres through.  Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) https://aopo.org/

This Thing Called Life-Community Heroes: Are There Organ Dontation Restrictions For the LGBGTQUI Community?- EP 33

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.     Resources: https://www.donatelife.net/ndlm/ https://lifepassiton.org/ 513-558-5555

Episode 50: I Donated A Portion Of My Liver, And It Grew Back? with Courtney Schapier

During this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson speaks with Courtney Schapier, a liver donor, the sister of a liver recipient, and one of the Organ Donation Coordinators at LifeCenter. Upon learning about her brother’s need for a liver, Courtney made the incredibly brave decision to make a difference. Her story is simply amazing!   Episode Highlights:    Courtney has been an Organ Donation Coordinator at LifeCenter for the past 6-7 years. Donation Coordinators handle the medical management and evaluation for organ donors. Amongst other responsibilities, Courtney plays a large part in matching organs to donors. Sometimes, organ donation acts as the silver lining to families that are going through an incredibly hard time. Donation coordination is a 24-hour job because donation does not run on a 9-5 schedule. From the time that a case opens to the time it closes, Courtney is on the clock for 36 hours. Courtney uses CrossFit and a great support system as outlets for the high stress levels of this job. With such a high-stress job, it’s no surprise that there is a high level of turnover. There have been times where the stress of the job has made Courtney question her desire to be here. COVID brought everything to a screeching halt when it first exploded back in March. The sheer amount of unknown information has made the ongoing global pandemic that much scarier. Things have finally begun to get back to normal, meaning more lives are being saved via organ donation. In 2016, Courtney’s brother discovered a huge mass on his liver that required a transplant. Unfortunately, Courtney lost her father when she was only 2 months old, so her brother acted as a father to her. Courtney was informed that she was a donor match for her brother while supporting a family that was pulling life-support. The weight of the situation started to feel heavy when Courtney sat on the pre-op table. Sitting outside the OR doors on the pre-op table, Courtney was rolled back for surgery after only 20 or 30 minutes. There were a handful of signs that something was wrong with Courtney’s brother’s liver long before the doctors caught it. After everything was said and done, it took a 10-hour procedure for Courtney to donate over half of her liver. The first thing that Courtney can remember is getting sick immediately after surgery. Courtney finally got to see her brother when she was transferred to the ICU. It was a complete shift in lifestyle for Courtney from the moment that she found out she was a donor match for her brother. Finding living liver donors is more rare than finding living kidney donors. Both Courtney and her brother fully recovered and are as healthy as they can be today. TX Jet was kind enough to donate its services to fly Courtney and her family out for surgery. After her donation, Courtney was sure that she was at the right job at LifeCenter. Courtney was comforted by the knowledge that everything in her life made her the perfect donor for her brother. This year, Courtney is focusing on being more present when she is with loved ones. The amazing thing about donation and transplantation is the opportunity to potentially save a life.   3 Key Points: Organ Donation Coordinators manage everything from the moment a donor decides to donate, to the time that the organ is sent to its recipient. It takes a very special person to not only manage the responsibilities of being a Donation Coordinator, but also the rollercoaster of emotions that come with the job. Courtney donated just over 50% of her own liver, which was oversized, to begin with, to save her brother’s life.     Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) TX Jet (website)

Episode 49: Understanding the Organ, Eye, And Tissue Donation Process, A Series of TTCL Podcast with Erica Randall

During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson kicks off a series about how the donation process works from the perspective of the Organ Procurement organization, which is what Life Center is. Andis guest today is a staff member of Life Center, Erica Randall. Have you ever wondered how the gifts of organ, eye, and tissue donations come to be? Tune in for the intricacies of this life-saving and life-healing process.   Episode Highlights:  The LifeCenter of Cincinnati, Ohio is 1 of 47 Organ Procurement Organizations that are under the umbrella of AOPO:The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations.  There are about 56 in total.  The donation process is collaborative; Andi shares about the organizations that are involved and how they are interconnected. Today’s guest, Erica Randall, shares her role in donation support services, or DSS. What exactly is DSS and what do they do?  Erica explains guidelines and how they reach out to families.  What does it take to work in the DSS? Andi asks Erica to share what motivates her to go into the DSS everyday and do her work especially when she is meeting with families in tough circumstances who have often unexpectedly lost a loved one. There is a misconception that to be a donor, you have to be in perfect health. That is not the case. Andi asks Erica to explain. Erica’s mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and asked if she could still be a donor. In her case, she was and she was able to give the gift of restoring eyesight for two people when she passed. Erica shares how it changed the perspective for her family. Andi asks Erica to share with honesty what she finds most challenging about her role. There is a major ripple effect in the donation process for all of the families.  The DSS is open 24/7, 365 days a year. Erica explains the shifts and needs. In 2006, Erica’s cousin was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. He became an organ and tissue donor. That is the first time she had ever heard of organ and tissue donation and the first time she had an experience with LifeCenter.  In nursing school, for her senior capstone project, she chose to work with Life Center and sent up a table at the Batavia, Ohio BMV where they were educating people about donation. She knew she wanted to work for LifeCenter at that time. Andi shares about how Erica’s cousin’s family has done so much in the community to fuel the education efforts that LifeCenter does. Interested in positions at LifeCenter? Visit https://lifepassiton.org/who-we-are/careers/ Erica speaks from experience and explains how it is so rewarding to work for LifeCenter and be a part of the positive difference. Andi talks about the after-care department that follows families for 18 months after the death of a loved one. In a coming episode, there will be more information about it and someone from that department as well as the in-between pieces with coordinators. There are 106,065 people who are waiting for life-saving organ transplants and about 90,000 of those people need kidney transplants. Your decision to be a donor matters. For more information visit https://lifepassiton.org   3 Key Points: The Donation Support Services (DSS) are at the core of organizing organ, eye, and tissue donation through the stages. They give their all to the families providing comfort and remaining professional while collaborating with hospitals, coroners, etc. Erica shares what motivates her to work in the DSS and the impact that the work has. Andi and Erica discuss the opportunity in donation and how it provides healing and hope for so many involved on all sides.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) https://aopo.org/

Episode 48: What We Need To Know About Liver Transplants, With Dr. Shimul Shah

During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast,  we are re-airing an incredible interview with Dr Shimul Shah, the head of the Liver Transplant Program at UC Health. Dr. Shah and his team are utilizing ever-evolving medical technologies to help all those facing the liver-transplant process. He knows that it is vitally important to try to understand what the patient is going through so that they can best be served with their health problems. Tune in. Episode Highlights:  Dr. Shah runs one of the largest liver transplant programs in the country to help as many people as possible. In his 9th year with UC Health, Dr. Shah and his team have done over 750 liver transplants. COVID has presented some challenges in the world of liver transplantations because of its immunosuppressed patients. There are a number of things that must be considered with the introduction of a global pandemic before conducting transplants. Though they didn’t understand what was happening around the world, Dr. Shah’s team went ahead with multiple transplants. Many healthcare professionals had to come together when making protocols for transplantations during COVID. There has been a lot of success with telehealth and that proved useful for the Liver Transplant Team. After protocols were put in place, liver transplants were resumed at the same rate as before. Programs all over the country were forced to shut their doors for a small period of time while they figured out how to get ahead of COVID. There are more donors in the Midwest and South than there are on the East Coast and West Coast. A national policy of “sickest first” has allowed organs to be shared throughout a wider geographical region. Clinical trials are underway for pumps that pump the livers continuously during travel. The pump presents an opportunity to repair the damage that has been done to organs before transplants are conducted. Because of technology, more organs are being used today that would have never been used 5-10 years ago. Dr. Shah uses complete transparency when he gives his patients past results of treatment options. Patients can donate their livers at much older ages because liver cells constantly repair themselves. Dr. Shah originally wanted to be a liver and pancreas cancer expert, but a fellowship in liver transplant shifted his path if only slightly. Patients know when the care that a doctor shows is authentic and that they are all in on the process. It’s important to talk to patients as people and try to understand what they are going through. Dr. Shah helped lead the Living Liver Donor Program that launched earlier this year. New patients find out how sick they actually are and what all their options are before moving forward. Dr. Shah and his team do everything they can to help people get better without a transplant. During his free time, Dr. Shah enjoys playing tennis, basketball, and taking afternoon naps. COVID has made Dr. Shah’s family’s favorite activities, eating out and traveling, a little tricky.   3 Key Points: People with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to COVID-19, thus bringing a learning curve to those in the liver transplant field. Transplant systems all over the country were forced to shut down their programs when COVID first hit, but have since been able to resume transplants after implementing protocols. Patients with an extensive medical history have benefited greatly from advancements in technology due to the larger amount of organs that are now available. Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) Dr. Shimul Shah (website) UC Health | Liver Transplant Program In Shock - (Book) Dewey’s Pizza

This Thing Called Life- Community Heroes: June’s Truth About Donation Is That All Major Relgions Endorse Eye, Tissue And Organ Donation.

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode we talk about the renewal symbolized by the month of June, pride month, and men's health month.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 47: A Mother’s Strength When Dealing With A Kidney Transplant Followed By Rejection, With Chasity Williams

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi is speaking with Chastity Williams. She will tell her life story of how she ignored her high blood pressure problem and ended up on dialysis and the difficulties that led to a kidney transplant. Tune in now to hear her story.    Episode Highlights:  Andi shines light on the truth about donations. There is no age limit or medical conditions that prevent you from registering to be a donor or having the potential to be a donor. Even if you have been cancer-free for five years and have not received treatment during those five years, you could be a donor. Even if you have hepatitis, you could still be a donor. People who are into their 80s and 90s have been donors and have given the healing gifts of tissue and cornea. Even if you have active cancer, you can be a cornea donor. Andi encourages the listeners to renew and not remove yourself from the registry. If you say yes to donation, this is your opportunity to bless others when you have passed away; You can bless them as a donor.  Chastity shares about her high blood pressure and how the doctor could not let her leave because it was so high; He ended up calling an ambulance and took her to the hospital.  Chastity was young, 20 or 21 years old. She was always told that blood pressure affected older people, people who didn't eat right and people who were overweight and she didn’t fit any of those descriptions. Chastity has the habit of googling things and sometimes Google is very helpful. It told her about the White Coat syndrome. Andi explains what a White Coat syndrome is. It might be the feeling of anxiety that someone gets while visiting the doctor. Chastity's mother and father passed away when she was three years old. Her grandmother raised her and at the time when she got Chastity, she was pretty old. On top of high blood pressure, she developed an allergy that they couldn't figure out where it came from. They said it could be stress induced hives. Chastity wasn't consistent enough taking her medicines. One time she went to the emergency room, and they ran some tests, and they said, your kidneys look like they are starting to suffer.  Every time Chastity went to a doctor’s  appointment, she ended up being hospitalized. Chastity's blood pressure reached 180/139. So, the doctors pumped her with all the medicine. It was then that she realized it was her new home till January as her baby was due then.  Her baby was born on November 25th and he weighed 2 pounds and 14 ounces. He is Chastity's miracle son. Today he's 16 years old. He's doing fine. He had nothing wrong with him.  Chastity started going to the doctor regularly and they just couldn't figure out why she was walking around every day with high blood pressure. She used to be on at least anywhere between 8 and 10 blood pressure pills twice a day. Every time she would go to the hospital, they would say that they had never seen somebody on so many pills who still had hypertensive episodes from time to time, and she ended up on dialysis. The dialysis made her look at life so much differently. That was when she just sat down and realized that she had been running at full speed for so long, and now she had slowed down and evaluated life.   Andi and Chasity discuss when it came time that she needed a kidney, how she asked people in her circles about donation, and who became her ultimate donor. For Chastity the first-week post-transplant was absolutely great. But after some time, her health deteriorated. She shares about the struggles and treatments.  Chastity gives her insights into the patients who are kind of following the same pathway of ignoring some signs and some doctor's orders.  3 Key Points: Chastity shares how even though her blood pressure was high why she waited a year to go to the hospital. When Chastity used to work at a hospital, she used to tell her patients not to leave the room if they still had questions and to make sure the doctor answered those questions. Chastity was one of the people who thought if you get a transplant, you get better. But that didn't happen for her. She shares the journey and importance of taking care of your health and the role that organ donation has.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://cerebral.com/ http://nomi.org/  

This Thing Called Life- Community Heroes: Renew- Don’t Remove Your Name From Being A Donor, No Matter How Old You Are.- EP 31

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode we talk to Lincoln Ware from Radio One about organ donation and encourage older Americans to renew, don’t remove your name from being a donor because people of all ages can donate organs and tissues to those in need.  Resources https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 46: A Fifteen Year Old’s Decision To Register To Be An Organ Donor, With Aimee Cordrey

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi Johnson speaks with Aimee Cordrey. She will be sharing the gift of life that her son, Nicholas has given to many recipients and how influenced others to do the same. She will also be reflecting some light upon the life of her son and sharing her story of grief and pathway to healing. Tune in now for this special story.   Episode Highlights:  Aimee Cordrey is married to Darren Cordray. They have been married for over 20 years and been together for a little bit longer than that. They met in college, and they have two sons Richard, a 19 year old, and Nick, who would be 17, but he is forever 15. Both of them are athletes, very different yet very similar in their interests and just how they approach life. In the middle of the pandemic Aimee and her family had been quarantined like everyone else for quite some time. School had just ended. Nick had just finished freshman year of high school and it was Memorial Day. Nick and Aimee went shopping that day to get some hamburgers and some vegetables and different things to grill out. Nick hadn't seen his friends because of quarantine. Aimee allowed him to go meet some of his friends at a local ice cream shop that was within walking distance of their house because one of his best friends was leaving for vacation the next day and she was going to be gone for two weeks. Nick decided to take a shower at night. All of a sudden Aimee heard the water go on and then they heard some really heavy, intense breathing, they were shocked. They thought it was our other son Richard, playing video games. She went to the basement, but it was not Richard, it was Nick. Nick loved life and he approached everything with this attitude of – "I can do it." His family really believed he was going to be okay and pull through. Aimee explains how and when they went about the conversation of Nick being an orgn donor. The hospital staff acknowledged all the protocols that they have in place, and they contacted Life Center. Nick had not yet been able to get his temps. He would have been eligible for them. The month that everything happened, he had actually registered as an organ donor. The letter that Aimee received said that Nick saved five people with seven organs, and probably impacted 40 to 50 others. The only thing Nick was unable to donate was his intestines, which they initially believed he was going to be able to do until they started doing the surgery. Aimee shares her thoughts on what it all meant to her, Darren and Richard to know that Nick helped so many people by donating his organs.  “Learning that sometimes bad things happen to good people and learning to be ok with that and it is not even being ok with it, it's just accepting it- that is one piece of it. The donation piece brings that pride.” -Aimee Aimee thinks that being able to talk about organ donation enables her to talk about Nick.  Andi feels like Aimee is doing so much just to help people understand the magnitude of the donation and its impact. Andi asks Aimee about the project that she is working on at his school in his honor.  One of Nick's friends, Grayson, started a change.org petition. He wanted to have the school board name the soccer field after Nick. There isn't a lesson here when it comes to losing a son. The only lesson that Aimee has learned is that bad things happen to good people, and she has learned that when you encounter a loss like this you integrate it into your life, you don't overcome it. Grief is something that has stages and some stages may be re-visited at times. It is ongoing. Nick loved everything. All of the time he was researching,  reading to understand deeply, caring deeply, everything was with passion, everything was with full intent. He didn't do anything without truly caring about it. If he was gonna do it, he was doing it 100% all in and that's what Nick was, and he is. 3 Key Points: Nick had a brain aneurysm that his family didn't know about. Nick did not complain of a headache that day. He didn't have any signs of anything that day. He had an amazing day, and it was that quick. They called 911. They were very quick, they took him to the hospital, his aneurysm ruptured three times. At the hospital, they did surgery on him and for 9 days his family thought Nick was going to make it.  Aimee tells the listeners how Nick was able to help other people through the gift of life that he was able to give.  Each one of us is different. Unique as people, Aimee thinks everyone's grief is very unique. She needed to be around other people. Aimee thinks that the donor family council is amazing. They are a source of strength. They are unshakable. Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes- Teachers And Nurses Are Celebrated Heroes In The Month Of May. - EP 30

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 45: Family Genetics That Lead To The Need For a Liver Transplant For Tony Burdette

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi will speak with Mr. Tony Burdette, who will discuss his involvement with organ donation. Tony's life was saved in August 2019 via a liver transplant. His father passed down a genetic disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency to him. He was diagnosed in the early 1990s, with symptoms including exhaustion and low platelet counts. Tune in for his great story. Episode Highlights:  Tony had never given much thought to organ donation, but sometimes it takes a crisis to bring it to the forefront of your mind. Tony's father underwent a liver transplant in 1997, but it was a painful experience since, after 14 hours, the surgeons came out and told them that he probably wouldn't survive. But, happily, doctors were able to get it to work sufficiently, and he received a second transplant two days later.  The hereditary condition does not impact everyone. They can live perfectly well without it. However, something triggered Tony's liver in early 2019, and his liver began to fail rapidly. Tony had all the excess fluid in his body, common for people with liver failure. So, he had to have the procedure called a thoracentesis, and over seven months, he had to have that procedure done 52 times. Tony couldn’t keep having these procedures every other day. So at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for evaluation at the Transplant clinic, he was put on the list rather quickly around the beginning of May and received his liver on August 3rd, 2019. It was a quick illness for Tony and a painful one, but thankfully his transplant and the surgery were very successful. He was discharged from the hospital just five days later without any complications. Tony has a brother. He obviously has the deficiency, but he hasn’t had any symptoms so far. He is under the care of a GI, and they are keeping close tabs on him. Both of Tony’s children have a deficiency as well, and they are under the care of the liver transplant team at children just out of precaution. The doctors check them every year and have liver scans done to keep a check on them and make sure everything is ok. About three weeks after Tony’s transplant, he received two letters in the mail from elementary-age girls who wrote him a letter and said that they just wanted to let him know that he had received their mother’s liver. Tony has studied music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory, one of the greatest in the world, and it is such an honor to be accepted there. Tony is the artistic director of an organization called Aviva Voices Choral Organization. It’s an organization that he founded, and it provides high-quality community choirs for children, youth, and adults. The program’s cornerstone is the brand new work for a course and orchestra called the breath of life, and it was written actually before the pandemic. Often, being open with what you are going through can impact other people. When Tony was going through all this, we posted periodically about this on social media as encouragement for people. Tony encourages people to not be afraid no matter what you are going through in life. Be open, share, and find people that you can talk to and know that your story can impact people.   3 Key Points: Alpha-1 antitrypsin is an enzyme and it is created in the liver. The deficiency is that the enzyme gets trapped in the liver and creates a deficiency in the lungs. But when that enzyme gets trapped in the liver, it can cause liver damage. Tony has spent his whole career serving as a professional musician, singing professionally with opera and orchestras around the country, and doing a lot of conducting with choirs and teaching singing. Tony’s concert’s date is Saturday, April 30th, the last day of the month and the last day of donating life month. The concert is taking place at Christ Church Cathedral, which is a huge, beautiful venue.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://www.vivavoices.net/about/ https://www.facebook.com/tony.burdette.5

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes- Celebrating And Educating During National Donate Life Month, With Lincoln Ware- EP 29

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 44: Why is kidney disease so prevalent in the African American community?

On this episode of This Thing Called Life Podcast, host Andi Johnson is going to talk to Shelly Sherman and Stephanie Jackson. They are discussing kidney health and an exciting new project that is being launched to shed light on kidney disease as well as prevention. No doctor or medical expert will kill you for your organs; In fact, no medical professional is aware of your donor status until your death is declared. Tune in for more information!   Episode Highlights:    Host Andi Johnson has a few big asks. Will you join us and be a part of this interconnected life sustaining community by registering to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor? Will you make the commitment to become more educated about living donation and championing the donation cause? Shelly is associated with the Cincinnati, Ohito chapter of The Links, Incorporated and she served as the Health and Human Services Facet Committee chair. The Ohio central chapter was granted an award by Baxter International for increasing the awareness of kidney health in the communities in which Shelly lives and primarily in the African American community. What is GFR? Shelly has been working hard in the community to make sure people know where they are regarding their GFR, which lets them know how well their kidneys are functioning and what they can do to maintain kidney health. The Links organization was founded in 1946 on the premise of friendship, and Shelly wants to uplift and elevate people by providing health information. Stephanie and Shelly first met through collaboration with The Center For Closing the Health Gap.  Shelly had goals in mind based on the grant they received regarding the number of people that they needed to touch and the number of community partnerships that they needed to do. Shelly and Stephaine share the experiences they have had with training sessions and connecting in the community. They hope people will continue to listen to the podcast and continue doing some things and spreading the word in their communities. When people are ill, you can see it on their skin and eyes. You can notice the effects of kidney and liver illness on the skin and other body systems. Garlic is great for decreasing inflammation; It has Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Manganese, a great alternative for your seasoning. If you want to decrease your psyllium, you can add more garlic, which is great for your heart and your kidney. The one thing is to avoid canned and packaged chicken breast because those can contain sodium and other preservatives. Raising awareness and making small changes goes such a long way in promoting healthier lifestyles. There is a great ripple effect too when you share information like this with those in your family and circles.  3 Key Points: Blueberries are an important food for kidney patients. They serve as antioxidants and are very good for healing. In addition, they help your body to increase urination. People talk about dialysis and transplant, and these are things that you want to avoid. By opting for a healthier lifestyle and changes in the food you eat, you can do that.  There are so many ways you can just move your body, and Stephanie always tells people 15 to 20 minutes is sufficient. Make sure that your body is doing something that it doesn’t do every day.     Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://www.cincinnatilinks.org/black-kare-initiative https://www.facebook.com/CincinnatiLinks https://www.instagram.com/cincinnatilinks/ https://www.yoursweetestlife.com/ https://www.facebook.com/yoursweetestlifewithstephaniej https://www.instagram.com/yoursweetestlifewithstephaniej/

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes- April Is National Donate Life Month- EP 28

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.     Resources: https://www.donatelife.net/ndlm/ https://lifepassiton.org/ 513-558-5555

Episode 43: One Man’s Honest Journey Dealing With Kidney Disease, With Idris Gray

On this episode of This Thing Called Life Podcast, host Andi  is going to talk to Mr. Idris Gray, who will share his experience about kidney donation. Mr. Idris is extremely resilient, and he had some health challenges throughout his life, but he always maintained, “I can do it, don’t quit, push forward attitude.” Tune in now for his story.   Episode Highlights:  Idris used to play football but didn’t maintain his lifestyle. Due to poor eating habits, family history, and sedentary lifestyle at the age of 16 he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. At the age of 27, something wasn’t right about Idris’s body. One day at home, coming back from the office, he collapsed on the couch. The doctor at the hospital told him that he needed to control his diabetes and get more rest because he had acute kidney failure. The doctor told Idris that if he didn’t receive a kidney in two years, he would start dialysis, and he was right. Idris experienced other health conditions like diabetic retinopathy, which rendered him blind for three months. He was blessed to have surgery on his left eye, but his right eye is still gone. Idris also has a diabetic condition called diabetic circles, which is a deterioration of the midfoot joining the right foot. In July 2013, Idris received a phone call from the kidney and pancreas transplant department at UC, and they asked if  he was ready for kidney transplant. This donation and transplantation journey isn’t like a linear path. Idris explains. Many times, the more we ignore the symptoms, the diseases grow into a bigger monster than they could have been before. Idris’s keypoint to share is prevention over intervention because you are going to have to deal with it, but you have a chance to stop it from forming complications.  It took about a month and a half for Idris to recover from immune suppression and anti-rejection medications because those medications are extremely strong.  We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and people should not have to choose what they can pay for when it comes to medications that will keep them healthy. Creatinine is crucial in your body, created by the kidneys, and the higher the creatinine levels, the more prone that your kidney is to go through failure. Creatinine level 1,1.2, or 1.3 is a good range for kidney patients, but Idris’ level was about 3.4. In November 2019, Idris again started experiencing the major symptoms like itching of the skin, fatigue, swelling, and he started outpatient dialysis in March 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. There are certain blood tests you have to do, and you have to go through orientation, and there is a whole different process that you have to do just to become a candidate for another transplant. As humans, we tend to try to put our best foot forward for people to see, and when we are candid about certain things, it gives other people strength to be candid as well.  Idris had parathyroid surgery, and many people don’t understand what parathyroids do, but it controls certain hormones in your body, including your calcium. Idris follows the law of divine oneness too. Everything is connected to everything elsewhere, and the same feeling and belief have a corresponding effect on others and the universe around us. Your health is wealth. If you are not feeling well or ever exhibiting any of the symptoms, please go and get tested. 3 Key Points: People tend to ignore symptoms that they are experiencing. In Idris’s situation, he ignored it out of fear and thinking that he didn’t have time for his health.   Idris explains the process that one has to go through for a second kidney transplant. Your health is wealth. Idris often looks at other people’s situations and says, you know what, mine is not that bad. He knows he has to move on, and be an advocate for other people.  Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website nkf.org

This Thing Called Life- Community Heroes: What Are Some Of The Warning Signs For Kidney Disease? With Lincoln Ware- EP 27

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: http://nkf.org/ https://lifepassiton.org/ 513-558-5555

Episode 42: A Journey Of A Kidney For UPPO, with Marty and Bonnie Garneret

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi is going to talk to Marty and Bonnie Garneret. Bonnie is not only Marty’s wife but his kidney champion also. Marty and his wife have been married for 41 years this month, and he says that has married an angel without wings. He shares his special journey; You don’t want to miss it!   Episode Highlights:  There are two types of diabetes, type one, which you are born with, and in that, your body does not produce any insulin, so you are on insulin shots from the time you are born. The second type comes from heredity, bad eating, lack of exercise, or all the bad stuff you do - lifestyle factors. If the doctor says you are prediabetic, that means your sugar is running high regularly, and it is destroying your body. So, you need to get to a specialist or endocrinologist. It is not a disease to be taken lightly because it leads to chronic kidney disease, which Marty has. If you don’t pay enough attention to it, then you are graded on a scale of stage one to stage five transplant material, and that is where Marty is at 70 years of age.  When you first start out with  kidney disease, you are one of about 100 to 150,000 people on a list of possible recipients. Marty is lucky enough to meet a gal named Darcy Gibson, who has a foundation, a charitable organization, called Off The List, inc. To go through initial testing is a rigorous process. There are three different people you meet with. One is a social worker to check your mental capacity, the second is a nutritionist to manage your diet, and the third is a team of doctors and nurses that help you through tests. To get off the list, you have to receive a donor’s kidney, and Bonnie has done this through Facebook, through yard signs, emails, and extensive, unbelievable work this woman has done on Marty’s behalf. The list that Marty is talking about is a list to receive a deceased donor kidney. To get a living donor kidney, you must find someone willing to donate, a friend, a relative, or just a generous donor, and it is tough. It is a completely anonymous process, as someone is tested on your behalf. You would never know that because hospitals take that very seriously, and they want to ensure that the person who is doing this wants to do it for the right reasons and that there is no sense of pressure. Bonnie decided that UPPO would be perfect because people would have to ask a question and start the conversation. What is UPPO, or who is UPPO? Life for UPPO is a Facebook page, and we are working with Christ Hospital, and Trisha is the donor coordinator. The typical diabetic signs that Marty paid no attention to was he slept 12 hours and felt like he didn’t sleep 5 minutes. He drank unbelievable amounts of liquid, whether it be coffee, pop, water, and he lost a lot of weight. The diet you have to be on when looking for a kidney is extremely difficult. There are many things to avoid and take care of. There are two categories of people when it comes to the conversation about being a living donor. We need to do a better job of filling the gap of information and helping people understand this is something they can do. Children’s hospitals prefer to give it to children, and they should. But if something happened and there aren’t any children who would need it, then the adult on that list would receive a kidney. One of Marty’s dreams has always been that he would like to start in Maine and eat lobster all the way down the East Coast until they have to get an oversized bus to take him home. Marty looks good on the outside, but he’s not good on the inside, and that's what a lot of people don’t understand because he looks great. But they don’t understand that the kidney function is still going down, and you can’t see that. If people understood how grateful recipients were, it would cause a lot more people to donate because they are heroes and become angels without wings. Bonnie has read a lot on the national kidney Instagram page and other places that donors live longer than people who have not donated. 3 Key Points: Marty and Bonnie tell the listeners about the Facebook page they set up for people. The Facebook page is called life for UPPO. UPPO is Marty just because their oldest grandson when he was very young, can’t say Grandpa, and he came out with UPPO. Marty doesn’t think people understand how serious this disease is, and it will kill you. Many thousands of people die every day from kidney failure, and several things work against you. Marty and Bonnie talk about the misconception surrounding kidney donation.    Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://www.facebook.com/life4uppo Tricia Monson Christ Hospital Donor Coordinator 513-585-1440 Marty and Bonnie Garneret Off the list inc, Darci Gibson

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes- It’s National Kidney Month And A Great Time For You To Focus On Your Kidney Health- EP 26

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation. Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555 For more information visit:  http://nkf.org/

Episode 41: We Love Your Heart, And Are On A Mission To Help You Care For It With Sandra Wright (Pt. 2)

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson is talking with Sandra Wright. Sandra is a transplant survivor and the founder of The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association. She is back on the podcast today to discuss the importance of understanding organ donation because it extends life. Don’t miss it!   Episode Highlights:  Andi encourages the listeners to be educated about what organ donation is and how it impacts all of us.  March is National Kidney Month. Andi shares a few helpful ways to keep your kidneys healthy like staying healthy and fit, monitoring your blood sugar, monitoring your blood pressure, monitoring your weight, and more.  Delaying and denying when something is off with your body does you no good. Everyone should be as proactive with their health as possible. Did you know that African Americans make up the majority of people on the National waiting list for kidney transplants. Research shows that african americans may carry a gene that creates a higher salt sensitivity which increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Last time on the podcast, Sandra shared her story of being a heart transplant survivor. If you missed it, go back and listen! (Episode 40) Andi asks Sandra, “Why do you think so many African Americans remain opposed to organ donation? Sandra shares when she had heart failure what changed for her in her thinking on the path she was on. Andi asks Sandra, “Was registering to be a donor ever talked about around the time you were getting your license?” In the times we live in, we  are now inundated with information. Andi and Sandra share how everyone should take an active role in their health. We have to embrace how precious our lives are and do everything we can to be present. How do we begin the conversation about generational health? Andi discusses the criteria for being able to go with organ donation from a donor. Sandra encourages listeners to take this podcast seriously and if you want to, go do some of your own research. Have you thought about the ability to help others even after you yourself transition? Andi asks Sandra to talk about her organization, The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association. She feels an obligation and is so honored to share information from traveling the journey herself in a real way. She spreads awareness with authentic truth.  Today, over 106,380 people are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and more than 3,000 are in need of heart transplants.    3 Key Points: March is National Kidney Month. It is important to know how to keep your kidneys healthy and the warning signs that they are not. Sandra Wright is a heart transplant survivor who shares her story to educate and give hope to others. She shares about barriers, lack of access, and the importance of understanding your heritage and family history.  There are so many lies mixed in with a little truth that circulates in the community about organ donation and creates mistrust and opposition. Knowledge is key. Get educated about the topic and take a proactive role in your health. Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website Sandra Wright   |swright.gcaaha@gmail.com |513-484-4772  The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association

This Thing Called Life Community Heroes: LifeCenter Cincinnati Honored For Black History Month In This Week’s Episode- EP 25

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 40: A Heart Transplant Recipient Is On A Mission To Educate Her Community About Heart Health, With Sandra Wright

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson is talking with Sandra Wright. She has a special testimony to share. The goal of this podcast is to help listeners understand what organ donation is and isn’t and how it truly impacts others. February is Black History Month and American Heart Month. Sandra is a transplant survivor and the founder of The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association. Tune in now for her special story!   Episode Highlights:  Sandra is a heart transplant recipient. In 2014, she contracted a virus that was never named but lingered and left her with a side effect of shortness of breath. Later that year, she was on vacation when it all kind of climaxed. She shares her story of going to the hospital and the dire state she was in. She was told she had Heart Failure but she went into immediate denial. She cautions the listeners against denial because then you don’t do what you need to do. There will be a book coming out to tell Sandra’s full story in the future to help many. Christ Hospital in Cincinnati set her on the path of her life being saved.  Prior to Sandra’s visit at Christ Hospital, every two months she would go for maintenance care to control the edema but other than that she wouldn’t take the medicine or change her lifestyle until 2017 when her heart would no longer serve her. Sandra shares how her faith got her through the scary time of being in need of a heart. The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association was created by Sandra to help provide others support, to create a community where they feel respected, heard, and understood. She shares about the services and her vision for down the road. For those who hear they have CFH, Congestive Heart Failure, that is all they are going to think about and can come unexpectedly and at vulnerable times.  Andi shares how the healthcare system is not accessible for all and how detrimental it is for many, especially people of color.  Sandra shares a sad story of talking with her granddaughter who said she ‘hated being black’ and how that ideology fuels her heart and mission to create an environment of support for the African American Community. Andi asks Sandra to share any encouraging thing she is experiencing or new strength she sees in the community. Andi reminds listeners that today, 106,494 people are waiting for life saving organ transplants and more than 3,400 need heart transplants. Can you think about your decision to be a donor and save a life?   3 Key Points: Sandra shares a shocking story of her journey with heart failure and the danger of being in denial of the diagnosis.  The African American community is at the highest risk and has the greatest fatality which led Sandra to create The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association as a community of support. Sandra shares that living 65 years in this world, we are beginning to understand the necessity of working together and supporting each other. That is encouraging and exciting.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website Sandra Wright   |swright.gcaaha@gmail.com |513-484-4772  The Greater Cincinnati African American Heart Association

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes- It’s American Heart Month, Take Time To Understand Your Heart Health.- EP 24

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode we talk about the importance of heart health. Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 39: Surviving Double Lung Transplant and Covid 19 Pneumonia

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson is talking with E. Denise Peoples. She is a comedian, actress, singer, writer, producer, radio host, and motivational speaker. She is a double lung transplant recipient, and most importantly, she is a Christian. African Americans are at a higher risk of heart disease. Research suggests that African Americans may carry a gene that makes them more salt sensitive, which increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Tune in for her story and great knowledge.   Episode Highlights:  In December 2000, while coming from the second floor of the house, Denise was short of breath, which lasted until February. She went to her primary doctor, and she was treated for pneumonia but nothing got better. Denise got diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which at that time was an older white male smoker’s disease. The only alternative is a lung transplant or double lung transplant as this disease progresses. After being selected for a play audition and receiving health-related confirmation from a pulmonologist, Denise learned a lot about her body and herself while in Paris. When they came home at the end of 2003, things just started going down, and the disease was progressing so fast. Denise ended up on oxygen 24 hours a day.  One night around 10 o’clock Denise told her manager that she  was so tired of living like this. Soon she had a call from the hospital and they said, “Miss Peoples, we’ve got lungs, we need you to get to the hospital.”  The next day after surgery, Denise woke up and felt her face, but the nurse asked, “Are you looking for the cannula? She said it’s there, but you are breathing on your own.” These are the absolute best words she had heard in years. Andi asks Denise, “You are with New Jersey Sharing Network, which procures organs and tissue for transplant, and they have 57 OPO’s throughout the country. How did you end up there? Andi asks, “What do you believe is the reason why African Americans don’t register or think about being a living kidney donor? For COVID vaccination, many of us refuse to be vaccinated because of distrust. We want to roll the dice and do something different, and we are just seeing that’s not working, says Denise. When Denise got to the emergency room for the Covid swab test, sitting there and waiting for hours was the worst experience because she wondered, “Why do you have a lung transplant patient sitting with everybody else?” Once Denise returned home after 21 days in the hospital, she was doing good, was never on oxygen, and was always at room temperature. Her oxygen levels never went under 90. But her body was stiff, and she focused on getting her strength back. Andi asks, “

This Thing Called Life Community Heroes- What Black History Month Teaches Us About Organ & Tissue Donation -EP 23

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH

Episode 38: Overcoming The Myths About Organ Donation

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi is going to talk with Kelly Williams about her connection to donation. There is a lot of misinformation and falsehoods about donation. One of the goals of this podcast is to really dive in and help listeners better understand what donation is and how it truly impacts others. It can be best accomplished by hearing from the people who have lived it, who have walked, can speak, and share their experiences. Tune in for Kelly’s life saving story.    Episode Highlights:  Kelly donated her left kidney 13 years ago to Caleb, and Caleb was 12 years old at the time. Caleb celebrated his 25th birthday a few days ago, and he is in such a good place. It is the power of organ donation.  Andi asks Kelly to take the listeners 13 years back when she was working, she was young and kind of getting her career going, and she met Caleb’s mom at her place of employment.  The process started in September, and then in December, they ended up getting the call that our transplant date was confirmed, and we were on the books for January 15th, and we did it, says Kelly. In the African American community, there are some barriers to donation, and one of them is the lack of transplantation awareness.  Andi asks, how do you think we’re doing at breaking down the donation-related barriers, and what do you think we could be doing better? Unfortunately, people are not taking the time to get that transplant awareness, and it could ultimately be a death sentence for many people. Growing the living kidney donor base of people of color who can stand in front of somebody else and say, you can do it as I did it will probably be most impactful, says Kelly. Kelly doesn’t think there are things that she can’t do, and she genuinely doesn’t have any limitations. Ask as many questions as possible and determine if kidney donation is something that you can do and if you can’t do it, take that knowledge and share it with somebody else. The waitlist continues to increase, and that’s the part that Kelly thinks is so important to highlight. People of color make up the majority of that waitlist for kidney transplants.  It has been amazing to see over the years the number of people who are stepping up to say, “I will be a generous kidney donor. I don’t know who I can donate to, but I’m going to walk through this process, and I will do it.”   3 Key Highlights: When you do something like kidney donation, it gives you such a surge of purpose and energy, and it feels like the best possible outcome that could have ever happened, says Kelly. Kelly was young in her 20s when she decided on kidney donation. She tells the listeners how her parents fely about this decision. Kidney donation is a big decision, and it is worth contemplation for sure. You want to make sure it is the right thing for you and your family to do.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes 22: The Mistruth About Being An Organ Donor

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone #: 513-558-5555

Episode 37: What To Do for A Child Who Is Grieving and What Resources Are Available?

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi is going to talk to Katie Beurket. She is a program coordinator at Fernside. Fernside is an exceptional organization in Greater Cincinnati. The fernside staff is very honored to continue their legacy of supporting grieving children and families. Katie says they provide peer support groups for children ages 3 to 18 and their parents or legal guardians. Tune in to hear about their valuable work.    Episode Highlights:  We must understand that many people are struggling right now. They could be grieving a variety of different things or could be mourning the loss of a loved one. So we will talk about those feelings of sadness and how we try to best get through during times like this, says Andy. Fernside is a children’s grief center,the second oldest children’s grief center in the country. They were founded 35 years ago by Rachel and Paul Burrell, says Katie. Andi asks Katie to share about the switch to virtual during covid and how that has been going. Andi asks Katie, “You are very passionate about the work you do; What led you to this?” Grief will change throughout your lifespan based on your developmental age. There are different signs of grieving children that correlate with the period that they are at. Unfortunately, kids at a young age are experiencing loss, but if we are not educating them and telling them what it means now, they will hear about it later on, and it can affect them badly. Educating kids is also part of grief. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are one of Katie’s favorite age groups because they do start to understand what death means. They understand the permanence of death, and that is when they begin to really ask questions. Fernside has over 100 direct service volunteers. They have different lesson plans that are given to them. Programs like Fernside and what they offer allow individuals to keep memories alive of their person and create a safe space to talk about it which is so important. The National Alliance for Children Grief is an excellent resource for finding things even outside the region. They have a wealth of other information on how to help children who are breathing in different resources, says Katie. 3 Key Points: Katie says that they do orientation in their office, and they help give tours to suffering children and families. There is a program called the Pit Crew at Fernside. It is a philanthropy and training.  A lot of kids don’t understand what happens when people die, they think they are going to come back or don’t understand the permanence of death.  Fernside is helping families have healthy coping skills to figure out how to move forward because they don’t want anyone to be stuck in their grief forever.  Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://www.fernside.org/grief-resources/ https://childrengrieve.org/ https://www.fernside.org/ https://www.fernside.org/about-fernside/staff

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes 21: The Holidays Can Be Tough, If You Are Struggling Reach Out And Ask For Help...

Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://www.griefincommon.com/ https://whatsyourgrief.com/ https://www.fernside.org/ National suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 36: What Does The Bible Say About Organ Donation? with Pastor Chris Beard

On this episode, host Andy is going to talk to Pastor Chris Beard. He is the leader and pastor of the People’s Church located near the University of Cincinnati. They are discussing how the concept of faith  intersects with the idea of organ, eye, and tissue donation.   Episode Highlights:  We just wrapped up national donor Sabbath month, the time when faith leaders or people in their congregation take time out to highlight organ donations within their places of worship, says Andy. Chris shares about his congregation statistics and the church. The church has been in the process of 20 years of moving from homogeneity into a multicultural reality, which led to a church name change about ten years ago. It was an intentional decision to follow the Scriptures and the vision of Jesus, Chris shares. Chris shares how speaking of life means speaking the truth. He calls for continued thought towards and prayer for there to be able people, willing, and a good matches for donation.  Being created by the creator, we have the ability for creative thinking, and let us trust the scientists, the artists, and the engineers of this world to do what they do to bring the quality of life, says David. Andy asks, “For many people who may not be happy this time of year because they are grieving a loss… as a pastor, what would you offer to encourage our listeners?” There is a sadness from a loss that will never be fully overcome, and grief is something that has been with us for a lifetime.  There is healing in sharing with other friends about the memories, feelings, and losses of people who are dear to us. A poor theology of new earth and new heaven causes an effect on a lot of decisions in the current day out of lack of knowledge. Some of America’s racism and medical history was sinfully, wrongfully made concerning people of color, and that story still keeps people of color from life and health. The telling of the true stories will diminish the power of the myths, which is very powerful. David asks the listeners to be strategic about organ and tissue donation to the new and younger generation. He says that we need more stories of those who receive the donation and the quality of life added, and hearing their stories will inspire others. 3 Key Points: There is a sense in the Christian tradition within evangelicalism or fundamentalism that ‘If my body isn’t buried whole, how will I be raised from the dead properly?’ David shares his thoughts on what he would say to someone who is very ingrained in their faith in God but doesn’t want to be a donor. Andy highlights the myths around tissue and organ donations that sit in the families for generations and somehow become factual. Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website Pastor Chris Beard  https://www.peopleschurch.co/

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes 20: 40 Years Of Saving Lives In Cincinnati

40 Years Of Saving Lives In Cincinnati Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  In this episode we talk to Lincoln Ware from Radio One about the celebration of Life Center’s 40th year of saving lives in the greater Cincinnati market.    Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 35: Another Listen- Grief Looks Different For Everyone with Debbie Pollino

During this episode of This Thing Called Life Podcast, host Andi Johnson speaks with Debbie Pollino, a Donate-Life Ambassador for LifeCenter. Unfortunately, Debbie’s experience as an ambassador found its roots in the death of her son Nick after a car crash in 2014. Debbie knows firsthand that grief looks different for everyone and she hopes that sharing her son’s story can help others deal with their own tragedies.   Episode Highlights:  In January 2014, Debbie lost her son Nick to a car accident, suffering a brain injury that he could not recover from. Debbie had no idea that her son Nick was very passionate about organ donation until he noticed that she was one on her license. Nick was able to save multiple lives with the organs that were donated from his body. 4 months after the death of her son, Debbie attempted to become a Donate-Life Ambassador, but it was still too soon. After about 18 months of recovering from the death of her son, Debbie started sharing Nick’s story at schools. Nick was a very adventurous and outdoorsy person, driving across the country multiple summers in a row to Northern California. After attending Northern Kentucky for college, Nick transferred to a school in Northern California for a forestry program. What was supposed to be a 3-month trip to Hawaii for Nick, turned into a 5 ½ year trip. The Bernie Madoff pyramid scheme collapse brought an end to Nick’s trip to Hawaii. Debbie’s nephews and nieces were like siblings with Nick in life, children to her after Nick’s death. Fortunately for Debbie, her family continued to talk about Nick, keeping his spirit all around them. Nick had the kind of spirit that makes people proud to remember who he was as a person. Debbie had a meltdown recently when she was looking through pictures and realized that she will never have a current one. Nick made it all the way to Lima, Peru on a buddy pass for New Years, sleeping in the airport for a week. The first time that Debbie went to visit Nick in Hawaii, he jumped off a 60-foot cliff and climbed back up. With how up and down the grieving process is, it’s important to have people that you can ask for help. Though support groups work for some people, Debbie felt it was more beneficial to be around positive reinforcement. Nick was very spiritual in his own way, using nature as his church, as a way to find peace. Debbie and her family celebrate Nick on a variety of occasions, especially Thanksgiving, his favorite holiday. On August 4th every year, Nick’s birthday, Debbie’s family throws a party to celebrate his life. Debbie had the pleasure of meeting Nick’s heart recipient, Brian, and welcoming his family into her family. Brian looks and acts the same as Nick, with a similar build and a love for outdoor adventure. The pandemic has been especially difficult for Debbie, given how close she is with her family. Though it’s hard during the pandemic, don’t hide away from other people while you are grieving.   3 Key Points: Debbie lost her 36-year-old son, Nick, after a car accident in January of 2014. Because of his passion for organ donation, he was able to save multiple lives. While most days are good, filled with great memories, some days are rough for Debbie when all she wants is a hug from her son. Nick’s heart recipient, Brian, a father of 2, has since become a part of Debbie’s family, along with the rest of his family. Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) Nick’s Heart YouTube Video What's your Grief Grief in Common Fern Side

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes 19: The Holidays Can Be Tough, If You Are Struggling Reach Out And Ask For Help- EP 19

The Holidays Can Be Tough, If You Are Struggling Reach Out And Ask For Help... Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: https://www.griefincommon.com/ https://whatsyourgrief.com/ https://www.fernside.org/ National suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 34: Thankful For Transplanted Lungs, A Families Journey Of Gratitude

During this episode of This Thing Called Life Podcast, host Andi Johnson speaks with Kris Grigsby, an incredible human being that has acted as the primary support system for a loved one. After struggling with Cystic Fibrosis for his entire life, Kris’s husband Joe had to have a lung transplant in 2012. Listen in to hear all about Kris and Joe’s inspiring story!   Episode Highlights:  Organ donation doesn’t just affect the donor, but also changes the lives of the close friends and family. Not all transplant stories have a happy ending, but at the same time, not all stories end in tragedy. Kris’s husband Joe was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as an infant, beating the odds and living well beyond his initial life expectancy. When their twins were 3-years-old, Joe was operating at only 20-30% lung capacity. Lung donation requires a donor that has already passed away. Due to Joe’s convenient blood type, Joe only had to wait just over 3 months on the waitlist before getting his transplant. Spending 6 weeks at the hospital for the transplant, Joe and Kris went 5 weeks without seeing their children. Just 16 hours after his transplant, Joe was able to walk 150 feet. After the transplant, Kris had to change her mindset from one of a caregiver to one of a more normal wife. Kris continued to work full-time throughout the entire process for insurance purposes, but it also gave her some relief. Both Joe and Kris, very independent humans, had to learn how to say yes when people offered help. It took over 2 years to connect with the donor’s family, and now Kris and Joe are very actively connected with them. Staying connected with the donor’s family has helped with the healing process on both sides. Kris and Joe’s children do not remember the time when Joe was sick and unable to live an active lifestyle. Going through the transplant process alone is impossible, so it’s important to accept the help that is offered. The transplantation process is a journey for both the donor and their family/friends. As a result of the different recipient and supporter groups, Joe and Kris have connected with people all over the country. Kris’s grandpa passed away in April unexpectedly after marrying his new wife just a year and a half before. The funeral home director advised Kris’s grandpa’s widow to deny the option for her deceased husband to be an organ donor. It should be the #1 responsibility for transplant centers and funeral homes to support the family. We must all advocate for ourselves and our loved ones for what’s right in the moment of a donation decision. Leave the decision on whether you can or cannot be a donor up to the medical professionals. Tissue and cornea donation has the potential to help up to 50 people from one donor, and can change/save lives. Science is constantly evolving and as a result, the number of people that can donate is constantly increasing. Transplant is not a fix-all option and it’s important to remember that there will still be rough times. 2020, while chaotic, has presented an opportunity for everyone to grow closer to their families. Faith has acted as an essential support beam throughout the transplant process and life in general for Kris. Support groups are incredible resources for those affected by transplantations.   3 Key Points: Unlike kidney and liver donation where you can have a living donor, lung donation requires a donor that is already deceased. Kris and Joe actually watched the accident on the news that involved Joe’s donor but didn’t know it until later. A misguided funeral home director gave incorrect advice to Kris’s grandpa’s widow and ultimately swayed her to turn down his option to be an organ donor.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) Kris Grigsby (Facebook) Matthew West (musician)

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes 18: Don’t Forget To Register For The Virtual Community Breakfast.

Don’t Forget To Register For The Virtual Community Breakfast.  It starts at 9am on 11-17.  Register At https://lifepassiton.org/   Andi Johnson joins Lincoln Ware on WDBZ and today they discuss November Events for Life Center.   Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.   Resources: Register For Free at https://lifepassiton.org/communitybreakfast/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 33: We Got The Call, And A Friendship Was Formed with Renee Paige and Sarah Green

November is the month of National Donor Sabbath, where people of all faiths highlight organ donation within their places of worship. During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson talks with Renee Paige and Sarah Green who have a beautiful connection that formed a few years ago, tune in for this inspiring story!   Episode Highlights:  Renee and Sarah recall the details of meeting each other for the first time when they received kidney transplants from the same donor on the same day. They both share their belief in God and how they knew they had a connection. Did you know that lupus can cause renal failure? Renee shares her journey with it. Sarah shares what brought her to the place of needing a kidney transplant and how she wrestled with the news. Diabetes and hypertension are precursors to kidney disease. Andi emphasizes that Kidney disease is a silent killer and many want to be in denial. Renee recalls her thoughts about transplant donation prior to her journey with it. Some have a fear of death and therefore just don’t want to address the topic of organ donation. Sarah shares her time of working in the medical field starting as a candy striper and how she learned the purpose of organ donation. Renee and Sarah share about how they got to go through the whole process of receiving an organ together. They are each other’s kidney champions of support. If you received an organ, what would you say to your donor’s family? Renee and Sarah share their responses. After receiving a kidney transplant, new freedom is achieved. Renee and Sarah explain the difference between before and after.  When you are vulnerable and share your journey, more people can relate, be encouraged, and be motivated to address their own health issues too. There are opportunities to advocate for the organ donation process, support others who are on that journey, and offer hope. How does kidney donation impact people of color? For those that are waiting for an organ, keep the faith. It can happen for you. Don’t feel as though you have a death sentence. When you open your eyes each day, be thankful and keep moving forward. By signing your name as an organ donor, you can save lives. Educate yourself on the importance of organ donation. There are more than 90,000 men, women, and children in need of life-saving kidney transplants in our country today.   3 Key Points: There are many misconceptions about organ donation that cause resistance to being organ donors. Renee and Sarah share how their viewpoints on the matter changed.  Doctors and medical teams' only duty is to save lives. The donation piece is secondary and it’s not until death has been declared that organ donation becomes a part of the end of life conversation. Renee and Sarah share the limitations of living life on dialysis three days a week and the freedom they have after being given a second chance at life through kidney donation.    Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website https://www.donatelife.net/nmdam/ Life Center’s Community Breakfast Virtual Edition will be November 17th 9-10am EST: This is a free event, open to the public, register at lifepassiton.org.

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes 17: Life Center’s Community Breakfast, Will Be Virtual This Year On November 17, 2021 at 9am. Join us To Hear Some Amazing Uplifting Stories

Life Center’s Community Breakfast, Will Be Virtual This Year On November 17, 2021 at 9am. Join us To Hear Some Amazing Uplifting Stories     Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.    Resources: Register For Free at https://lifepassiton.org/communitybreakfast/ https://lifepassiton.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

Episode 32: October Is National Liver Awareness Month And We Wanted To Re-Share The Episode With Liver Recipient John Mock

During this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson speaks with John Mock, a salesman for a large wheelchair manufacturer. His life took a turn two years ago when his liver failed after 56 years of perfect health. It took a ridiculous set of miracles for John to get his new liver, but he did, and his story is absolutely inspiring!   Episode Highlights:  John details his background as a traveling sales manager for a large wheelchair manufacturer. John discusses the moment, two years ago, when he realized that something was wrong with his liver. The doctors could not figure out what was going on with John’s liver because he passed all tests that they could throw at him. The ammonia build-up from liver failure was taking away John’s ability to focus. Excessive sleeping led John to the conclusion that something was definitely going wrong. John’s liver specialist sent him to the University of Cincinnati’s transplant program. MELD (Model for Endstage Liver Disease) goes from 6 (years to live) to 40 (death); John was a 24. After some mini-miracles, John was able to accelerate the process of getting on the transplant waiting list. A battery of tests and blood work stood between John and getting on the transplant list. Expecting a long wait to get on the list to get the tests run, a cancellation got John in for his test two days after his acceptance into the program. Canceling the family vacation was tough, but John had to be close enough to get to the hospital. John was accepted onto the transplant list and found a donor within the same day. Recipients have to manage their expectations because there is a chance the organ is not a good match. It was important for John to reach out to the family of the donor to express his gratitude and condolences. Only 6 weeks after his surgery, John was on a plane to his national sales meeting in Colorado. Relying on others for everything was incredibly humbling for John as a natural go-getter. 27 days after his surgery, John and his family were able to meet his donor family and they hit it off. The liver that John has now is not his own, but has been inside two other people along the way. It’s incredibly difficult to have a healthy relationship between the recipient and the donor family. What it was like connecting with his donor family and how hard it remains for them to this day. If both sides can see that through donation, it can help both sides move forward. The gift of life is shared between two families, two worlds really, in the case of organ donation. It all starts with the decision that two people do not have to die. You see life from a completely different perspective when you come so close to death. John works tirelessly as an advocate to make sure that his donor’s family would be proud. Hope doesn’t get people to become donors, but it is a strategy. Anyone can be a registered organ donor and give hope to someone in need.   3 Key Points: John’s life completely changed when his liver failed two years ago. Through some mini-miracles, John was able to get in front of the board of the University of Cincinnati’s transplant program. Organ recipients tend to question what they have done to deserve to live and why someone else had to die. The harsh reality of life sets in at some point. It’s incredibly humbling when your body and mind stop you from doing certain things and you are forced to rely on others to do things for you.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter) Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn) John Mock (Facebook)  Hope is Not a Strategy - Book United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) University of Cincinnati Medical Center

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes 16: Did You Know You Can Donate A Part Of Your Liver?

Did You Know You Can Donate A Part Of Your Liver? Andi and Lincoln Ware Of WDBZ Discuss, in this episode of Community Heroes.  Lincoln Ware and Andi Johnson discuss Life Centers involvement in the community educating and advocating for those in need of a transplant.  In this episode they focus on expressing gratitude for the employees of the BMV who are on the front line of creating awareness for the opportunity to become an organ, eye and tissue donor.   Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation. Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/  https://lifepassiton.org/who-we-are/leadership/  https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH  513-558-5555 Americantransplantfoundation.org Liverfoundation.org

Episode 31: Kidney Disease Can Be A Silent Organ Killer, With Dr. Govil

During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson talks to Dr. Govil,who has been in health care for many years, specifically working in the area of kidneys and kidney health He is a professor of medicine at UC Health as well as Director of Transplant and Chief Section of Transplantation.    Episode Highlights:  Dr. Govil shares has been in this field for over 20 years and he has dedicated more than 15 years of that time to take care of patients needing kidney transplants. Dr. Govil shares why he chose this area of medicine to practice in. One of Dr. Govil’s first exposures as a medical resident was with a patient who had trace protein in the urine. All of them, as residents, ignored that component of lab finding and did not realize that their finding was a world-renowned figure in diabetic kidney disease. One in six of the US population is at risk for kidney disease, and more importantly, one in 10 out of the US has some element of kidney disease or chronic kidney disease. Dr. Govil says kidney disease is very silent. You may only have pain in the kidneys when you have physical problems like kidney stones or any cyst that is hurting you.  The only way you discover kidney disease is through the blood test and routine numbers analysis. Diet does play a role in making kidney disease worse or stable, but a lot of that has to be done with how we manage our primary disease, which is causing kidney disease.  It is very difficult to ask one patient to stop eating salt because everything we eat around us is loaded with salt, and it is very difficult to break that cycle, says Dr. Govil. Andi asks, “Is this kidney disease more prevalent here in America, or is it more prevalent in other parts of the world?” There are definitely certain aspects of kidney disease that we do not understand, which means that they may have familial clustering, says Dr. Govil. As we progress, we now can identify certain genes that make one more prone to have kidney disease, which does not mean that everyone who has it will present with it. Andi asks about Dr. Govil’s experience specifically, “Do you see more of Caucasian patients? Do they seem to have more success in identifying living kidney donors? And if so, why do you think that is?” When we look at the transplant or people who are receiving dialysis, 1/3 of them are African American, which means that there is definitely more propensity of any disease in this group of patients than any other group. Dr. Govil says, “When we look at the number of people on the list compared to the people who get transplanted and then compare it to the number of people who are on dialysis, they just don't add up completely.” Dr. Govil clarifies the myth that kidney donation can harm a donor in the short run and in the long term. As per Dr. Govil, education is the key, and that is what he feels when he goes to multiple outreach clinics in the tri-state area, and he realizes a lot of these barriers are related to misinformation. Dr. Govil gives recommendations for keeping your kidneys healthy. Don't count on kidney pain as one of the symptoms because kidney pain really is not a symptom of kidney disease -that is just a mechanical problem, which could be because of a stone in the kidney or some cyst. Diseases are frightening in many aspects; These are things that could be prevented if we took the proper steps and proactively saw our doctors. Changes in organ allocation will generally increase some of the volume, but it will definitely increase the volume for certain centers to do more transplants. A donor that may have hepatitis is now able to give organs to the patient in need of a transplant, and then that can be treated, says Andi. The dialysis survival is really dismal over a period of time. So, a 10-year survival on dialysis is around 10%.   3 Key Points: Dr. Govil explains what leads someone to having kidney failure. We have to realize that the kidneys are affected by a lot of things that happen in our body, whether it be high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other changes that may be related to some problems happening at the level of the kidney itself. Kidney disease means we are in a tier of the kidney, which is a very silent process and so essentially, your kidneys really do not have to hurt and actually they do not hurt at all when you fail your kidneys over a period of time. If we have a healthy, balanced diet to stabilize our diabetes and high blood pressure, it will indirectly help keep our kidneys happy and healthy.   Resources Mentioned: LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn  Organ Donation Website  https://www.donatelife.net/nmdam/

This Thing Called Life: Community Heroes 15: Honoring The Men & Women Of The BMV (DMV)

It’s National BMV (DMV) Appreciation month, And We Want To Recognize Their Commitment To The Donate Life Mission In This Interview with Lincoln Ware on WDBZ   Lincoln Ware and Andi Johnson discuss Life Centers involvement in the community educating and advocating for those in need of a transplant.  In this episode they focus on expressing gratitude for the employees of the BMV who are on the front line of creating awareness for the opportunity to become an organ, eye and tissue donor.     Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.  Resources: https://lifepassiton.org/  https://lifepassiton.org/who-we-are/leadership/  https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH  513-558-5555