We have entertaining and informative conversations about organ, tissue and eye donation & transplantation. Over 114,000 people are currently waiting for a life saving transplant. Our goal is to raise awareness about the need for the life saving gifts of organ, tissue & eye donation. You can help. Register as a donor at registerme.org. Share this podcast with your family and friends. Share your inspiring stories with us info@thegiftedlife.org or give us a call at (504) 648-3477.
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Release Date: 12/29/2023

Show Notes: Dr. Crystal Glover and Ryan Johnson of The Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (RADC), join us to discuss the importance of brain donation in understanding and treating Alzheimer's disease. Brain donation provides a definite diagnosis for families to help identify any hereditary issues and risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It also supports research about the cause, treatment, and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias, and a range of other common chronic conditions of aging. In our Mental Health Moment, Nila's son makes a request for shoes. Hear how this shoe shopping scenario forced her to examine her own approach to giving an opinion, and then, we honor hero William Lee Morris.

Release Date: 12/15/2023

Show Notes: A listener turns into a guest on The Gifted Life Podcast. Pam Dworetz-Sofarelli wrote Wyatt's Wish, inspired by the gift of donation. Her book is geared towards young children with family and friends who are journeying through the organ donation process. Learn how Pam utilizes gentle storytelling to lead Wyatt to a very unexpected life lesson in loss and compassion. In our Mental Health Moment, we talk about small incremental changes in our lives that can make a big positive difference and we honor hero Issac Luquette.

Release Date: 12/01/2023

Show Notes: In this episode, we talk about infants and how to ensure a safe sleep environment. Chris Knoblauch, Director of Education/Community Outreach with St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office, and Sara Dickenson, Maternal Child Health Coordinator Supervisor with the Bureau of Family Health, join us to give valuable but simple tips for learning about safe sleep for infants, featuring Partners for Family Health and the Cribs for Kids program. We take a moment for mental health and discuss ways to mindfully slow down, simplify and focus on what's best for yourself. We honor hero Gene Fontenot.

Release Date: 11/17/2023

Show Notes: Heather Broussard, a mother on a mission, is dedicated to spreading awareness about water safety in the wake of the tragic loss of her 17-month-old daughter, Mazie. Transforming their family's heartbreak into a beacon of hope, they founded Mazie's Mission, an organization committed to promoting water safety. Heather not only recounts her personal journey but also emphasizes the importance of parents with young children having early discussions about the gift of donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we provide guidance on allowing oneself the space to cry, then pay tribute to the heroic spirit of Mazie Broussard.

Release Date: 11/03/2023

Show Notes: We have a big bunch of friends in the studio to talk about Ava's Wish, a new book available now. The book is an inspired guide to help children understand the gift of organ and tissue donation. This book was written in honor of Ava Grace, who, following kindergarten graduation, became a "helper angel" at just 6-years-old and saved lives. Ava's family along with the authors and collaborators share the journey of crafting this very special message to help children understand the gift of life. In our mental health moment, we discuss techniques for intentional breath work and we honor Ava Grace Branstetter.

Release Date: 10/20/2023

Show Notes: Community partners, Kristen Sanderson with the Louisiana Office of Public Health and Chris Knoblauch with the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office, join us in the studio to share important tips for maintaining safety while operating an ATV/UTV. Learn the ins and outs of the equipment and safety precautions families can take when enjoying these popular outdoor recreational vehicles, along with the information about the laws governing their use. Then special guest, LOPA's Celeste Montz, joins us for our Mental Health Moment for a discussion about the significance of gestures of kindness, and we also pay tribute to hero Skyler Delaney.

Release Date: 10/06/2023

Show Notes: Have you ever wondered how many people's lives can change in a matter of minutes? That's the guiding question for the book 17 Again, A Story of Life After Life, which is inspired by real-life events that occurred 30 years ago. At 17, Andrea Boullt, became a donor saving 6 lives following a tragic accident. Now, her sister and the book's author, Lisa Boullt, joins the podcast to discuss her sister and how Andrea's gifts of life all those years ago have inspired her to write this very special tribute and drive advocacy for donation. The episode also addresses important questions about registering as a donor and pays homage to Andrea Boullt.

Release Date: 9/22/2023

Show Notes: We welcome back Kevin Caldwell from Ossium Health, who was previously featured on episode #114, to reveal groundbreaking developments in the realm of bone marrow research and transplantation. Prepare to be amazed as we delve into Ossium's cutting-edge research, showcasing remarkable advancements in the preservation of bone marrow over extended periods, and explore the profound implications for both transplantation procedures and revolutionary cancer treatments. Additionally, in our Mental Health Moment, we explore the concept of congruence, providing insights on aligning words with actions. We wrap up this episode by paying tribute to donor hero, Michael Wattler. Tune in for an episode that promises to inform, inspire, and uplift.

Release Date: 9/08/2023

Show Notes: Children are naturally curious, and they have a unique ability to empathize and understand complex concepts when presented in a clear and simple manner. In this episode, we welcome Madeline Pawloski, author of The Gift: A Children's Book About "The Gift" of Organ Donation. Madeline delicately introduces the topic in a kid-friendly way that focuses on the generosity of organ donation. Then in our mental health moment we chat about tips for creating genuine connections and honor hero, Christopher Emling.

Release Date: 8/25/2023

Show Notes: This episode’s guest is heart recipient, Ryan Gallet, who hails from the heart of Cajun Country. Ryan, who is 48 years old, had a massive heart attack at the age of 30 due to a 100% blockage. About 3 years later, Ryan learned his heart only had 10% function and he needed a new heart to live. Now, he shares his story to inspire more people to register to give the gift of life. In our Mental Health Moment, we talk about how grief can manifest in unexpected ways, and then honor hero, Tony Clark.

Release Date: 8/11/2023

Show Notes: As we continue our conversation with Dr. Anji Wall, Abdominal Transplant Surgeon and Bioethicist at Baylor, Scott and White Health in Dallas, we delve into the legal and ethical aspects of Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP), a revolutionary advancement in organ recovery and transplantation. One of the critical issues surrounding NRP is the definition of death. As medical technology advances, our understanding of when a person can be declared deceased for organ donation purposes becomes more complex. Dr. Wall discusses how medical professionals and ethicists are working to ensure that the criteria for determining death are clear and ethically sound as well as explaining the ethical implications for not utilizing techniques with proven improved outcomes for patients. In our Mental Health Moment we discuss how to support someone who's grieving, and honor hero Natasha Kraus.

Release Date: 7/28/2023

Show Notes: Welcome to a special two-part series on Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP)! We have a true pioneer and expert in the field of transplantation joining us. Dr. Anji Wall, Abdominal Transplant Surgeon and Bioethicist at Baylor, Scott and White Health in Dallas, will be sharing with us the groundbreaking advancements in organ recovery and transplantation through the use of NRP in donors after circulatory death (DCD). This revolutionary process has been making incredible strides in saving more lives nationwide. Not only does it offer hope for patients in need of organ transplants, but it also provides additional clarity and solace to the families of donors during their time of loss. We are excited to have Dr. Wall here to shed light on this fascinating topic. In our Mental Health Moment we chat about the differences between emotions and feelings, and honor hero Amjad Ottallah.

Release Date: 7/14/2023

Show Notes: We welcome Dr. Ray Tucker, with the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center to discuss the Traumatic Loss Support Program and how its structure helps support families going through a sudden loss such as suicide. Learn key details about the program, statistics and gain takeaways to apply to your own life. Then in our Mental Health Moment we offer tips for coping when new things are happening in our lives, and honor hero Joshua Holcomb.

Release Date: 6/30/2023

Show Notes: We welcome Analy Navarro, a mom who gave life twice. Analy's daughter was born with Biliary Atresia, a rare liver disease that affects 1 in every 12,000 infants worldwide. Analy's act of donation, along with her children's book, Mighty Me, showcases her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. She continues to promote hope, education and research for Biliary Atresia through the organization BA Hero. We chat about the power of delivering words of encouragement and honor hero Reed Hebert. Plus, check out our new spinoff podcast geared for healthcare professionals, Connected by Life.

Release Date: 6/16/2023

Show Notes: Writing can be a powerful tool for expressing intense emotions, including grief. Whether it's through journaling, letters, or other forms of written communication, putting our thoughts and feelings into words can provide solace and support during the grieving process. In the context of organ and tissue donation, writing can play a significant role in facilitating communication between donor families and recipients. We honor hero, Cinnamon Jordan, in this episode.

Release Date: 6/02/2023

Show Notes: Experiencing a health crisis is a daunting journey filled with uncertainties. Lisa Bradshaw personally encountered this challenge when she received a cancer diagnosis. She faced it once again while providing care for her husband, Wesley, during his illness and subsequent lung transplant. Lisa's invaluable knowledge and firsthand experience are now shared through the Take Good Care App and Podcast, aiming to assist others in making well-informed decisions and potentially improving their outcomes. Don't miss the opportunity to delve deeper into Lisa's story on episodes 134 and 157 of The Gifted Life Podcast. In this episode, Nila discusses the importance of establishing healthy boundaries during our mental health moment. Blade Wayne Hunt is honored as our hero in this episode.

Release Date: 5/19/2023

Show Notes: Saving lives and educating the public about preventable deaths is part of our podcast’s mission. In this episode, we partner with our friends from the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office and the Louisiana Office of Public Health to talk about gun safety. Chris Knoblauch and Kristen Sanderson join us in the studio to talk about practical preventative measures to keep firearms safe, and share two important links: besmartforkids.org/louisiana and projectchildsafe.org. In our mental health moment, we chat about the 4th leg in the 4-legged stool method for self care, and we honor hero Tony Medley.

Release Date: 5/05/2023

Show Notes: How does a family make a decision about donation, when their loved one's wishes about being a donor are unknown? Our guest, Jessica Andrade, shares the details of her family's intense discussions about making the decision to donate, and how her younger brother was able to save the lives of 4 people and hundreds with his tissue, skin and valves. Hear this powerful story, and learn about how Jessica now advocates for donation discussions to honor her brother's gifts of life. We chat about another leg in the 4-legged stool self care model, physical activity. Learn about how it can support healthy habits and mental health. Our hero segment features Jessica honoring her brother and hero, Alphonso Weston.

Release Date: 4/21/2023

Show Notes: In the second episode in our 2 part series, we continue our conversation about the world's first HIV+ heart transplant. Recipient, Miriam Nieves, who along with her husband, Julio, share the intimate details of her journey through her illness. Hear more about the transplant that made history and how it brought Miriam full circle with the opportunity to meet her donor's family. In our Mental Health Moment, we offer tips for balancing your to-do list. This episode's featured donor is Miriam's hero, Brittany Newton, who we honor with words from her sister.

Release Date: 4/07/2023

Show Notes: In November of 2022, a groundbreaking HIV+ heart transplant was announced at Montefiore Medical Center. LOPA was the first OPO in the world to recover an HIV+ heart for transplant. The heart was recovered from a Louisiana donor hero, Brittany Newton, and transported to New York. In this first episode of a two part series, Dr. Omar Saeed, Cardiovascular Disease and Transplant Surgeon for heart recipient, Miriam Nieves, joins us to talk about how everything fell into place to save Miriam's life, and make transplantation history. In our Mental Health Moment, we offer tips for identifying your personal support system and then honor hero Christopher Bergeron.

Release Date: 3/24/2023

Show Notes: We talk to donor mom, Reecie Gilmore, who turned her experience with the loss of her young son into a mission to help others. Learn about The RescYou Group, the mission, their community and the services offered to grieving families. In our mental health moment, we chat about how to maintain balance in your mental health journey by using the 4-legged stool method, and honor hero Kaisen Martinez.

Release Date: 3/10/2023

Show Notes: We reconnect with previous guests on episodes 160 and 169, Mark and Lynn Scotch, whose chance meeting during a leisure trip to Louisiana, saved another man's life through the living kidney donor voucher program. You don't want to miss the updates to their remarkable saga and learn where The Organ Trail has taken this inspiring couple now. Then we chat about different stages of change, and honor hero Keith Savoie.

Release Date: 2/24/2023

Show Notes: Have you considered giving the greatest gift, the gift of life? We are joined by authors and advocates, Elizabeth Crais, who's a kidney recipient, and Carol Offen, who has donated a kidney to her son. These two ladies have merged forces to help educate through their own life experiences with both kidney disease and living donation. In our mental health moment, we learn tips for being conscious of pausing to wonder, and how that wonder can improve both mental and physical health, and honor hero Alex Migliore.

Release Date: 2/10/2023

Show Notes: A California prosecutor is using his personal story to encourage more people to register as marrow donors. Charlie Huang joins the podcast to talk about how his diagnosis led him to hope, healing and finally, advocacy. Learn about the new law he helped pass to make marrow donation as easy as registering as an organ, tissue and eye donor at California OMVs. In our mental health moment, learn what tools are essential to have in your own mental health toolbox. Plus, we honor hero Sawyer Ridgeway.

Release Date: 1/27/2023

Show Notes: High school sweethearts, Lisa and Reid Barker, are authors of the book DeLivered. They join us to share their unique path and how organ donation has made an incredible impact on their lives, through the precious gift of life from a donor hero, and through living donation. In our mental health moment we chat about taking intentional steps in life and self reflection, then, honor hero Courtney Ray Sterling.

Release Date: 1/13/2023

Show Notes: When a person allows passion to take the lead in their career, life thrives for professionals and the people they serve. Amy S. Peele, a nurse since 1974, discovered her passion for organ donation and transplantation when she kicked off her career as a transplant coordinator. Now, following a 35 year career in transplantation, Amy found a new vehicle for enthusiasm - storytelling. Her books combine her love for comedy, improv and writing, with her expertise in transplantation, to entertain and accurately educate about the power of donation. Then in our mental health moment we chat about mapping out your personal core values to develop a framework for living by them, and we honor hero Jerry Winn.