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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
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
During episode 22 of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson talks to Audrey Holtzman, Diversity Outreach and Educator Associate at LifeCenter. Audrey is educating high school kids about organ donations so that they can make an informed decision.
Episode Highlights:
- Audrey is working with LifeCenter as a Diversity Outreach and Educator Associate and recently celebrated her second work anniversary with LifeCenter.
- When students get ready to get their driver’s license, that is when they decide if they are going to register as a donor.
- Audrey wishes to empower young people just to be the best they can be.
- She came to know about organ donation through her brother Henry. Henry had an accident while riding his bike.
- Sadly, Henry suffered severe head injuries and was in ICU with a life support system. Her sister-in-law told Audrey that he was a registered donor.
- The doctors asked Audrey’s mother’s permission to recover Henry’s organs as he was a registered organ donor, and it was his decision.
- The fondest memory of Henry for Audrey is the way he interacted with his friends and the way he loved being a teacher.
- Donation is not a topic that people talk about, which makes her job in high school more crucial because it is a conversation the community needs to have to help save lives.
- Henry saved the lives of 8 people with his choice to donate his organs.
- It is a personal choice to be a donor but people need to have the clear and correct information.
- More conversations about donation and also about the process will help encourage people to be willing to register as organ donors.
- Audrey says, “We do a great job here at LifeCenter to walk our families through the whole process even when we know they are grieving. “
- Andi says it is important to have the conversation with our family members so that if something happened suddenly, the family would know what to do.
- When talking to leaders of different communities and asking what their faith believes about donation, not a single one of them said no we don’t believe in donation because if it is as a gift, it is not against our religion.
- People just need to take a moment to look into the information and get to know what it means, and that could remove apprehension about being able to do something beautiful.
3 Key Points:
- Audrey shares about her life journey. She was born in Liberia, West Africa came to America at the age of thirteen, and in 2016 received American citizenship. Before joining LifeCenter she was a registered organ donor, and it’s been about 10 years now.
- When it comes to organ donation, parents have both cultural and religious thinking. There is a lot of helpful information to consider about being able to donate.
- Andi asks about Audrey’s experience while working in this field, being immersed in the community and talking to people about donation, especially in the community of color and the areas where people are poor and underserved. She inquires “What stood out to talk to them about the donation?”
Resources Mentioned:
- LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube| Twitter
- Andi Johnson website |LinkedIn
- Organ Donation Website
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
The Path Of Life, For Those Who Donated
Andi joins Radio One’s Lincoln Ware for a conversation about The Path Of Life at Mount Echo park that honors 40 years of Organ Eye, and Tissue Donation. This episode also honors the Nurses in our community for the service they provide.
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 May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
During episode 21 of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson talks to Robert Wilder. Robert shares his story and who he is fighting for in this season of his life. Andi reminds the listeners that our nation is in the midst of an organ shortage, and in order to minimize that, more people are needed to register for organ donation.
Episode Highlights:
- Andi asks Robert to share about his beautiful, spunky, fun-loving wife and also about his family story.
- Robert's wife developed kidney disease which pushed her to a point where she was not able to work anymore.
- A couple of months ago, she had a heart attack due to a lack of oxygen in her organs and instigated the need for a kidney transplant.
- Privacy sometimes has to do with embarrassments; some people don’t want to tell others what’s happening inside their homes.
- Going through mental health struggles, people don’t want to talk about that because of the stigma of appearing weak.
- Lupus is what destroyed her kidneys, which is typical for patients with the condition.
- Robert says his daughter is the biggest blessing for him and his wife; she lives her best life and is a rock for their family. She trusts the process.
- His wife is now becoming healthy and bouncing back, and he is excited that she is going to be home in a few days.
- Andi asks Robert, “When you were growing up, what was your view about donation?”
- Their daughter is 11years old now, and he has to be strong for her because she depends on him and his wife. There are so many responsibilities that keep Robert going in hard times.
- Robert shares about his faith and says you must believe and try to give it up to God.
- They are excited for Tysha and the progress she has made with better communication.
- Andi says his wife is a fighter, a beautiful partner, and a beautiful mother to their daughter, and she is blessed to have him as her champion.
3 Key Points:
- Robert talks about his personal journey to get his wife a kidney.
- Andi refers to the love and support from family and his daughter’s school friends, and what it means to him.
- Robert says he has learned that people genuinely want to help if they know you need help.
Resources Mentioned:
- LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube| Twitter
- Andi Johnson website |LinkedIn
- Organ Donation Website
- Robert’s Story
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
A Mothers Beautiful Gift To Her Daughter
Tabatha Allen and her daughter Emma were featured on WKRC TV and shared this special story of a mother’s love.
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 May 11, 2021
Tuesday May 11, 2021
During episode 20 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 May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
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 Apr 27, 2021
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Host Andi Johnson introduces the listeners to powerful stories about organ, eye, and tissue donations. In this episode, Andi talks to Missy Holiday, who has spent around 28 years in organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Episode Highlights:
- Andi reminds listeners that April is “National Donate Month”. This is the best month to learn about organ, life, and tissue donation.
- Missy talks about her career path of almost three decades. She went to nursing school and had a goal to become a pediatric nurse.
- After a couple of years, her sister had a car accident. She was air-lifted to the University of Cincinnati Hospital, where all attempts to save her life failed.
- Upon entering the hospital, Missy and other family members got the news that her sister’s condition was not good.
- As a newly graduated nurse, Missy had some exposure to donations. Missy was really young back then and she had never imagined that donation would touch her life. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
- After conducting several tests, the doctors informed the family that Missy’s sister was brain dead.
- Her family said “YES” to organ donation and this changed Missy’s career path.
- In 1993, 2 years after her sister passed away, she joined Life Center because she wanted to be a part of the change.
- She wanted to change how families are approached for this rare opportunity of organ donation.
- Joining Life Center, Missy shared her story with the leadership and raised the concern that other families might not consider donation because of how they are approached.
- Over the years, she has ensured that requesters at the Life Center go through very extensive training.
- Requesters at the Life Center make sure families have a complete understanding of their loved one’s condition.
- Missy joined The Life Center in 1993 when only 12-15 people worked there, and now they have 80+.
- Families often hesitate to donate organs, either due to misconceptions or grief.
- When it comes to organ donation, the base myth that Missy hears the most is that - the hospital will not do everything to save his/her life if a person opts for organ donation.
- Recently Life Center was involved in the “first-ever organ recovery”. They were able to recover a heart for transplantation from a donor, which was impossible. This donor was able to save six people.
- COVID does not exclude someone from becoming a donor. People working at Life Center look at every case individually.
- “Honor Walks” were introduced at Life Center 3 years ago. They wanted to honor the gifts and make sure that the families feel that.
- When it comes to work-life balance, Missy credits her husband. Her parents and kids are proud of what she does.
- The Life Center serves 35 hospitals in the greater Cincinnati area, and they work closely with several partners to make sure that the entire process of organ donation is respectful and supportive.
3 Key Points:
- Missy talks about her personal experience with organ donation. Her sister had a fatal accident and after conducting several tests, was declared brain dead. Initially, the diagnosis was confusing for the family because her body was warm and other body parts were functioning.
- Requesters at the Life Center ensure that empathy is central to their discussion when talking to families about donations. It is not about somebody who is in need. It is about knowing that this can comfort a family in the days and months ahead.
- Life center is celebrating 40 years of serving the community and the nation. As a veteran at the Life Center, Missy talks about the most significant changes since she joined.
Resources Mentioned:
- LifeCenter Cincinnati Website | Facebook| Instagram| Twitter | YouTube | Leadership
- Donate Life
- Visit https://lifepassiton.org/ to register or to get involved in organ donation. You can also buy or donate life cookies in-store or online at busken.com. For each cookie purchase - an original cookie will be given to a healthcare hero who works with the Life Center’s Hospital Partners.
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Andi Johnson joins Rodney Lear on Sunday Morning Magazine discussing organ donation and Life Center's role in the 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.
Resources:
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
During episode 18 of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson interacts with Lisa Cooney – a retired anchor from WLW-TV. She shares exciting incidents from her 30+ career journey. This Thing Called Life podcast is dedicated to share stories about acts of giving, kindness, compassion, and humanity. Andi reminds listeners that April is the perfect month to learn more about organ, eye, or tissue donation and determine how you can help others.
Episode Highlights:
- Talking about Lisa’s media journey, Andi inquires, “While you were engaged with WLW-TV, what was your favorite story that you covered?”
- Lisa shared a few good and bad situations, especially her coverage on organ donation.
- She proudly shared about winning an Emmy award for covering an exciting story on Cincinnati's fire department.
- Since Lisa has retired after a fulfilling career, Andi curiously asks, “What are you up-to-now?”
- Lisa shared a few fun moments from her personal life as well as professional journey.
- She shares about her current engagement as a consultant where she teaches people how to handle media and crisis.
- Lisa proudly talks about her kid’s achievements; She says the secret to her kid's success is hard work and dedication towards their goal.
- They discussed the pandemic and Andi pointed out that the locked-down forced everybody to slow down and connect with family members.
- Andi talked about organ donation and what emotional turmoil the donor and receiver go through.
- Hearing that, Lisa shared like any other first-time donor, she too was scared but decided to take the plunge.
- She proudly shares about her family’s support and how they recently celebrated the day with a kidney-shaped cake.
- Andi inquired, "What would you say to someone who is considering to be a living kidney donor?"
3 Key Points:
- Lisa Cooney shares a life-changing incident about organ donation that happened 20 years ago.
- Not everything on the internet is true, do not take it as gospel, seek out correct information from designated authorities.
- The pandemic changed everyone’s way of life, Andi and Lisa brainstorm what they have learned from it. Listeners learn about how they adjusted, respected each other’s comfort zone, and looked at the positive side of it.
Resources Mentioned:
- Organ Donation Website: https://www.donatelife.net/
- Lisa Cooney: lisacooneyconsulting@gmail.com
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
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, Andi talks with Life Center Executive Director, Barry Massa about the 40 year anniversary of Life Center.
Resources: