EP 119: "Bridging the Gap: The Power of Organ Donation in Kentucky"

Title: "Bridging the Gap: The Power of Organ Donation in Kentucky"

 

🎙️ Episode Summary

In this powerful episode, host Andi Johnson sits down with Shelley Snyder, Executive Director of Donate Life Kentucky Trust, to explore the life-changing impact of organ donation across the Bluegrass State. Together, they discuss how the organization supports those waiting for transplants, honors donor families—true heroes in the community—and works to educate Kentuckians on the critical importance of registering as organ donors. Shelley shares heartfelt stories and explains how Donate Life Kentucky fills the gaps in care, awareness, and advocacy, one life-saving conversation at a time.

 

✨ Episode Highlights

• Andi Johnson welcomes guest Shelley Snyder, who shares the mission and outreach of Donate Life Kentucky Trust.
  
  
• Shelley explains how the organization supports every aspect of the donation journey:
  ➤ Those waiting for transplants
  ➤ Recipients of life-saving organs
  ➤ Families of heroic donors
  
  
• She proudly highlights partnerships with Network for Hope and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, with Commissioner Matt Cole serving as board chair.
  
  
• Shelley details key programs:
  
  
  • Scholarships for youth
    
    
  • Support for children on transplant waiting lists
    
    
  • Financial aid for transplant recipients and donor families
    
    
• The Transplant Patient Assistance Fund (est. 2001) has provided over $800,000 in care-related expenses.
  
  
• The Donor Family Support Program has distributed approximately $100,000 in aid, covering needs such as hotel stays, meals, and living essentials.
  
  
• Shelley clarifies the distinction between the work of Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) and the Trust’s role in wraparound support and community outreach.
  
  
• Her personal story includes:
  
  
  • The sudden loss of her father, Dennis Evren, whose tissue donation restored sight and helped someone walk.
    
    
  • Her mother’s successful surgery was thanks to donated tissue.
    
    
• Shelley shares touching stories, including:
  
  
  • A family who lost a daughter and the life-changing impact of her donation.
    
    
  • Jonathan is a transplant recipient, turned powerful advocate.
    
    
• She emphasizes how circuit court clerks were instrumental in founding the Trust, and how public speaking, community engagement, and media partnerships fuel the mission.
  
  
• The impact of media portrayals, such as Grey’s Anatomy and The Pit, on raising awareness is explored.
  
  
• Shelley highlights multiple ways people and businesses can support:
  
  
  • Sponsorships
    
    
  • Third-party fundraising
    
    
  • One-time and recurring donations
    
    
• She also introduces the “Gift of Life Stories” section on the website, a collection of inspiring personal testimonies.
  
  
• The episode closes with a heartfelt encouragement to register as an organ donor and get involved in this life-giving mission.
  
  

📝 Key Takeaways

• The Donate Life Kentucky Trust supports not only organ donation education but also provides real-life aid to those on the transplant journey.
  
  
• Through philanthropic support, the Trust has helped provide over $900,000 in aid across programs for recipients and donor families.
  
  
• Shelley’s personal experience—from the loss of her father to her mother’s surgery—deeply informs her work and passion.
  
  
• The organization was founded by circuit court clerks and continues to rely on that community involvement to grow its reach.
  
  
• You can make a difference by registering as a donor, sharing the message, or supporting the organization financially.

📢 Tweetable Quotes

 

“Our real focus is on supporting all areas connected to donation and transplantation, so those who are on the waiting list, those who have received the precious gift of life and those incredible heroes and their families who gave.”

• Shelley Snyder

 

“I should say, and the registry is so key, as you know, to ensuring that lives are saved. “

• Shelley Snyder

 

“I've always said, If I ever win the lottery, all my money would go to helping these incredible, heroic donor families who have given the gift of life at the worst time in their lives.”

• Shelley Snyder

 

“I say that with the OPOs, because there's a clear distinction of what our role and responsibilities are. So it's just it's great to have that partnership with the trust. “

• Andi Johnson

 

“I just, I love this mission so much. It's been a part of my life since I was 17 years old.” 

• Shelley Snyder

 

“His gift of tissue is going to help someone walk. And we learned later that he gave sight to a 22-year-old and a 29-year-old.” 

• Shelley Snyder

 

“People can be organ donors and save a life, and we need to get the word out. And so they started doing that through driver's license, accepting the $1 donations, and that went into a trust, and that's what our organization was founded on, and that was in 1992.”

• Shelley Snyder

 

“We find that public speaking is really, really impactful, because we are able to share the facts and talk directly to people and open the door.” 

• Shelley Snyder

 

“We rely on businesses and individuals to work with us to make all of these programs possible. And we have a wonderful team.”

• Shelley Snyder

Resources:

Donatelifeky.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/