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This Thing Called Life is a podcast about acts of giving, kindness, compassion, and humanity. Host Andi Johnson, will introduce you to powerful stories about organ, eye, and tissue donation from individuals, families and front-line health care teams, whose experiences will hopefully inspire you and remind you, that while life is hard and unpredictable, it’s also beautiful. We hope this podcast serves as a catalyst for you to register to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 27, 2021
Tuesday Jul 27, 2021
Healing through the gift of tissue donation, an 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. The key is making sure there is accurate information about donation being discussed and the conversation is driven by facts not myths.
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
Tuesday Jul 20, 2021
Tuesday Jul 20, 2021
During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson talks to Ickey Woods, a former American football player - Cincinnati Bengals Fullback. Sadly, he lost his son, Elbert Jovante Woods, 10 years ago. Now Ickey and his family are trying to make a difference in the world by educating others about organ donation and asthma.
Episode Highlights:
- Ickey shares his story about being outside doing yard work when he received a call from home that his son, Elbert had collapsed.
- As Ickey rushed to the spot, he saw an ambulance, and in that, they were trying to resuscitate his son. They all soon headed to the hospital.
- The moment Ickey entered the hospital and opened the door, he saw a Chaplain.
- His son’s brain had been without oxygen for about 30 minutes while he was being taken to the hospital
- Due to lack of oxygen, Jovante’s brain had started to swell, which the doctor said was not a good sign.
- A couple of days later, in a heart-breaking turn of events, the doctor pronounced Ickey’s son as Brain Dead. Ickey and his wife decided to pull the plug.
- Two women from the life center visited them and informed Ickey and his wife that their son had said yes on the driver’s permit that he wanted to donate his organs.
- Ickey had never heard anything about organ donation, and in the African American community, there aren’t many organ donors. So, he was really taken aback hearing about his son’s choice.
- Ickey discussed organ donation with his wife, and they mutually made their decision based on what Jovante wanted.
- Ickey talks about the foundation that he and his family members have created in memory and honor of Jovante.
- Through the foundation, Ickey and his wife’s goal is to educate people about asthma and organ donation.
- Ickey shares details about the scholarship that they provide to students through the Jovante Woods Foundation.
- Andi asks Ickey how he coped with Jovante’s untimely demise.
- Ickey talks about his heart-breaking efforts to stay strong and support his family.
- Finally, launching the foundation in Jovante’s memory gave Ickey some direction and peace of mind.
3 Key Points:
- Ickey Woods takes the listeners on an emotional ride while sharing details of his son’s death. He also talks about Jovante’s decision for organ donation.
- Jovante saved 4 lives with his organs and countless others with his tissues. Ickey felt really proud of his son and had registered himself and his family members for organ donation.
- Andi and Ickey talk about the misconceptions surrounding organ donation and the importance of educating people.
Resources Mentioned:
- LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube| Twitter
- Andi Johnson website |LinkedIn
- Organ Donation Website
- Jovante Woods Foundation
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021
The Journey Of Kidney Disease And The Impact On A Family & Community
This week’s episode explores the journey of Mr. Todd Cade, who is in need of a kidney. It all started over 13 years ago when Todd received a kidney donation from his brother. This episode explores the fears, relationships and struggles that occur to an individual and their family as they manage this next phase of the journey.
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
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
Episode 24: Donating A Kidney To Marvin Gaye III, A God Story
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
Tuesday Jul 06, 2021
In today’s episode host Andi Johnson talks to Rick Greene about his decision to be a living kidney donor. He shares his personal story of taking step by step to line up for a perfect match.
Episode Highlights:
- Andi asks Rick to share his story and what led him to the place where now he wants to help someone as a living kidney donor.
- Rick says he had a habit of grabbing the TV remote when he got home. In 2014, one night on entertainment tonight, he saw Marvin Gaye seeking a kidney donor. Rick reached out and called the number, after 4 days he went for the testing.
- Marvin’s wife informed Rick that six people before him were rejected because of poor matching.
- Rick says he doesn’t believe in his body anyway, and he only believed that all belongs to God.
- Post donating his kidney, Rick says his surgeon told “The more you walk, the more you will heal.” Slowly he started feeling better each day.
- In seven years, “Have you had any issues as a result of donating a kidney?” asks Andi.
- Andi asks Rick, what would he say to someone who is considering being a living kidney donor?
- Rick says he and Marvin Gaye III talk all the time, and he is doing great. By the grace of God, he got his life back.
- Andi applauds Rick for all he has done and says he is a giver, and it feels like God has moved him to a place where he can help people.
- Rick and Andi agree to a simple and right message that is “Choose Love.”
- Rick says we make things more complicated than they need to be.
- Everyone should pray about it and talk to God about it; If you can be considered as an organ donor and if you are comfortable donating, do it, says Rick.
- Do you feel like you inspire other people to do what you do by sharing your story? Andi asks Rick.
- Rick says he prays that people would consider donation and how it could bless someone to move forward in life.
3 Key Points:
- Rick talks about the donation and healing process so that people can understand more about what it means to be a living kidney donor.
- Andi asks Rick for his opinion about “Why many people of color, specifically American African’s, don’t want to donate their organs?”
- We learn to share and exchange information, and that is how we help and support one another, says Andi.
Resources Mentioned:
- LifeCenter website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube| Twitter
- Andi Johnson website |LinkedIn
- Organ Donation Website