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This Thing Called Life is a podcast dedicated to acts of giving, kindness, compassion, and humanity. Host Andi Johnson introduces you to powerful organ, tissue, and eye donation stories from individuals, families, and front-line healthcare teams. These stories are meant to inspire and remind you that while life can be challenging and unpredictable, it’s also incredibly beautiful. We hope this podcast inspires you to connect with our life-saving and life-healing mission.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
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://www.uchealth.com/en/transplant
Friday Dec 13, 2024
Friday Dec 13, 2024
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://www.networkforhope.org/
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
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://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
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://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
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://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
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://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
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://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope.
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
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/
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
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
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
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 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/board-of-directors-leadership/
https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH
https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH