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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 Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega.
This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye 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 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Title: "Meeting My Kidney Sister: Sarah Green-Moore’s Story of Healing and Purpose"
🎙️ Episode Summary
In this heartfelt episode of This Thing Called Life, we sit down with Sarah Green-Moore, a kidney transplant recipient whose story is as inspiring as it is extraordinary. Sarah shares the unforgettable moment she met her “kidney sister” — the woman receiving the other kidney from the same donor — in the hospital lobby just before their transplants. Now, thriving with a new lease on life, Sarah is paying it forward by caring for her 8-year-old daughter who needed her when she was least expecting it. This is a moving story of second chances, sisterhood, and the power of showing up when it matters most.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Title: "Legacy in Life and Loss: Adria Johnson on Her Son’s Gift of Hope"
🎙️ Episode Summary
In this powerful and emotional episode of This Thing Called Life, we sit down with Adria Johnson, President and CEO of Metro United Way in Louisville, Kentucky, as she shares the deeply personal story of losing her son, KJ, in a tragic car accident. KJ made the selfless decision to become an organ donor — a choice that gave the gift of life to others even in his passing.
Joined by Barry Massa, CEO for Network for Hope, this episode also sheds light on the critical difference between DCD (Donation after Circulatory Death) and brain death, offering clarity and compassion for families navigating organ donation.
Together, Adria and Barry bring heart, hope, and understanding to a conversation that touches every aspect of life, love, and legacy.
✨ Episode Highlights
- Guests introduced: Host Andi Johnson welcomes Barry Massa and Adria Johnson, who share their experiences with organ donation.
- Adria’s story: She recounts losing her son, KJ, in a car accident and the remarkable impact of his donation — his heart saved a 36-year-old man, and his kidneys gave two mothers renewed life.
- Barry’s perspective: He reflects on how KJ’s story fuels his passion for the mission of organ donation and inspires his work every day.
- Support from COTA: Adria and her family received compassionate care from the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, which walked alongside them during the most difficult moments.
- KJ’s decision: Paperwork revealed that at just 18 years old, KJ had already elected to be an organ donor, a decision that turned his loss into hope for others.
- The Honor Walk: KJ’s hospital held a moving ceremony to honor his life and gift of donation, a moment that deeply touched his family.
- Hospital partnerships: Barry stresses the critical role of strong hospital relationships in ensuring organ donation success.
- Understanding donation: The episode clearly explains the difference between brain death and DCD. Brain death occurs when all brain function ceases, while DCD is donation after the heart stops — both allowing for organ donation under specific conditions.
- Family acceptance: Adria shares how she fully supported her son’s decision, finding comfort in his selflessness.
- Aftercare support: Network for Hope’s Aftercare department provided Adria’s family with ongoing emotional and memorial support, helping them through grief and connection with recipients.
- Organizational challenges: Barry speaks about recent challenges in the field, including investigations, corrective action plans, and congressional hearings around organ procurement modernization.
- Medical recommendations: HRSA guidance calls for neuro exams every 12 hours for DCD cases to ensure accurate assessment.
📝 Key Takeaways
- The power of one decision: At only 18 years old, KJ’s choice to register as an organ donor transformed his tragic passing into a legacy of life, saving and improving the lives of multiple recipients.
- Compassion and support matter: From COTA’s care to Network for Hope’s Aftercare team, Adria’s family experienced how vital emotional and practical support is for donor families navigating both loss and healing.
- Education brings clarity and courage: Understanding the differences between brain death and DCD helps families make informed decisions, reduces fear, and fosters greater trust in the organ donation process.
📢 Tweetable Quotes
“You know, it was hard enough to prepare to say goodbye to my son and know that KJ would no longer be here, but he had elected at the age of 18 to be an organ donor, unbeknownst to us, and certainly, I consider him probably the premier selfless hero that I will know in my lifetime because of that gift.”
- Adria Johnson
“You know, it really takes a lot of dedication, and if you're just in it for a job, you'll never make it. You have to be passionate about the mission.”
- Barry Massa
“And when that decision was made, what I really appreciated was, again, just the tenderness, the comprehensive way in which they prepared us for all of it, you know, just what needed to take place for the duration of K J's hospital stay.”
- Adria Johnson
“And very early on in when I became Executive Director of Life Center, before becoming CEO of Network for Hope, I felt like relationships with their hospitals were going to be the key for our success to honor those gifts of donation.”
- Barry Massa
“ I didn't have any reservations, like I said, from the minute all of this started for us, and even just in being made aware that you know your son did elect to be an organ donor, and if you know that is something you all want to pursue.”
- Adria Johnson
“I mean, from the minute we had to get through all of that painful episode, and you're now kind of adjusting to life without this person, it was. I mean, just consistent check-ins:
‘How is your family doing?’ I mean, even the you know, helping us in terms of, ‘do you want to try and have some connectivity with the folks that have been the recipients of his gifts?’ So there's all of that also added an element of support. “
- Adria Johnson on receiving support from the AfterCare Team
Resources:
https://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.networkforhope.org/stories-of-hope/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Title: Twice Gifted: Beth Otto’s Journey As a 2 Time Kidney Recipient
🎙️ Episode Summary
In today’s episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson interviews Beth Otto. At just 25 years old, Beth Otto received her first life-saving kidney transplant from a deceased donor. Years later, a second transplant — this time from a selfless friend — gave her a renewed lease on life. In this inspiring episode, Beth opens up about her journey as a two-time kidney recipient and how those experiences shaped her purpose. Motivated by the care she received, Beth became a nurse, dedicating her life to helping others. This episode is a powerful reminder of the impact of organ donation and the resilience of the human spirit.
✨ Episode Highlights
- Beth’s Journey as Patient and Nurse: Beth Otto, a two-time kidney transplant recipient, shares her dual perspective as both a nurse and a patient.
- 35 Years in Healthcare: Beth has worked as a nurse for over three decades, bringing compassion and purpose to every role she has held.
- Symptoms Overlooked: Early warning signs such as back pain and fatigue were ignored until Beth discovered her blood pressure was alarmingly high—260 over 180—before teaching an aerobics class.
- First Transplant Experience: Beth recalls her first kidney transplant from a deceased donor and the time she spent on peritoneal dialysis beforehand.
- Living with Gratitude: She reflects on the gift of life she was given, sharing how she now lives with deep gratitude and purpose, never taking moments for granted.
- Choosing Nursing as a Calling: Inspired by the care she received, Beth pursued nursing school and built a career dedicated to patient care.
- Diverse Nursing Career: Over the years, Beth worked in physical medicine and rehabilitation, cardiac care, and wellness, blending personal passion with professional expertise.
- A Family Friend’s Gift: Beth’s second transplant came from her mother’s longtime friend—who became her perfect living donor match.
- The Difference with Living Donation: Beth shares how the experience of having a living donor was unique—allowing her to build an ongoing relationship and celebrate life together.
- Community Inspiration: Beth believes her donor’s act of generosity inspired many others in the Fort Thomas community to register as organ donors.
- Raising Awareness Through Storytelling: Her journey has helped alleviate fears and spread awareness about the importance of organ donation.
- The Power of Living Donation: Beth emphasizes how living kidney donors can make a profound and immediate difference in someone’s life.
- Celebrating Milestones: Every September 18th, Beth and her donor celebrate their transplant anniversary together, honoring the bond and the gift of life they share.
📝 Key Takeaways
- Every Organ Donation Extends Far Beyond One Life. Beth’s story shows how organ donation not only restores health but also inspires communities to register, talk openly, and advocate for donation.
- Living Donors Create Unique Bonds. A living donation carries a special connection between donor and recipient—allowing them to celebrate milestones together and share a lifetime of gratitude.
- Purpose Through Gratitude. Beth transformed her personal health journey into a 35-year nursing career, using her experiences to fuel compassion, service, and advocacy for others facing similar challenges.
📢 Tweetable Quotes
“So then went to the hospital. They ended up finding out that I had just had complete renal failure. They tested me, and I had no kidney function whatsoever.”
- Beth Otto on her firsthand experience of Kidney Failure
“Thank you from the bottom of my kidney. I don't ever take a moment for granted. I live every day as hard and as fast as I can, and try as hard and as fast as I can to help everybody else have that same joy.”
- Beth Otto
“So that's why I went back to nursing school, and that's where I felt like what I gained from being in the hospital, and the care that I received while I was getting my transplant, I was like, Okay, this is I gotta do this.”
- Beth Otto on going to nursing school
“And so I really always wanted to become a heart nurse, okay? And so I ended up getting and working in cardiac and the cardiac unit cardiac rehab, and I did that for 19 years, and then I worked alongside wellness and cardiac care.”
- Beth Otto on her roles as a heart nurse
“And the perfect match is obviously an identical twin. She was the second-best thing, just a perfect match. She said the only thing that would have been better was if I had had a twin.”
- Beth Otto on her 2nd kidney transplant
“I guess they differ because I have the ability now to be with my donor all the time. Yeah, we go out frequently. We, you know, celebrate each other's successes, stories, and lives. We're all family, right? Her husband always says, “they're all here”, and so that's just a really fun way, and it's really true.”
- Beth Otto on how the 2 transplants differ
“That's what I hear often from people who have been donors, living kidney donors, as much of a blessing as they have been to that person that they're able to help, they feel they were equally as blessed because they were able to give this gift.”
- Andi Johnson
Resources:
https://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.networkforhope.org/stories-of-hope/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega.
This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation.
Resources:
https://getoffthelist.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
https://aopo.org/
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Title: One Family, Three Transplant Journeys: Life with Alport Syndrome
🎙️ Episode Summary
In this heartfelt episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson speaks with Amanda and Hunter, a mother and son living with Alport Syndrome—a rare genetic disease that affects just 1 in 50,000 live births. Their story is one of resilience, family strength, and the life-changing power of organ donation.
Amanda and Hunter share their family’s long history of transplants and the challenges of living with this condition, which impacts not only the kidneys but also the ears and eyes, leading to hearing and vision loss over time. From Amanda’s first transplant on New Year’s Day 2015, to Hunter’s sudden kidney failure at age 20, to Caitlin’s emergent transplant journey—this episode paints an intimate picture of how one family continues to navigate illness, hope, and healing together.
Most importantly, Amanda and Hunter underscore the critical importance of organ donation and living donors, emphasizing how education and awareness can make a profound difference for families like theirs.
✨ Episode Highlights
- Introducing the Guests: Andi welcomes Amanda and Hunter, who both live with the rare genetic disease Alport Syndrome.
- What is Alport Syndrome?: Amanda explains that it affects type four collagen in the kidneys, also present in the ears and eyes, leading to kidney failure, hearing loss, and vision loss over time.
- A Family History: Amanda recounts her lifelong connection to the disease, being diagnosed in infancy, and how her grandparents also faced kidney disease.
- Amanda’s First Transplant: At age 31, on New Year’s Day 2015, Amanda received her first kidney transplant after traveling to Arkansas when a match was found through the University of Kentucky.
- 10 Years of Health, Then Rejection: The transplant allowed her to live relatively healthy for a decade, until October of last year, when she was diagnosed with chronic rejection. Her kidney function has now dropped to 9%, and she is preparing for dialysis access surgery.
- Hunter’s Journey: Diagnosed young, Hunter went into kidney failure suddenly at age 20. Now on hemodialysis, he shares the physical exhaustion and emotional toll of treatment while awaiting a kidney transplant.
- Milestones Interrupted: Hunter turned 21 while on dialysis, reflecting on the difficulty of celebrating life milestones while facing health challenges.
- Caitlin’s Emergent Case: Amanda’s daughter, Caitlin, experienced a different path, requiring an emergent ICU stay. She had a tunnel calf, placed her GFR, and got down to four or five before she started dialysis.
- Facing Uncertainty: Hunter opens up about the mental and emotional strain of waiting for a transplant, but finds reassurance in his family’s shared experiences.
- Searching for Hope: Amanda, Hunter, and Caitlin are currently seeking a living donor, while also remaining on the waiting list.
- The Power of Living Donation: Amanda discusses how living donors have transformed her family’s story and recalls the touching moment she received a letter from her donor.
- Holding on to Dreams: Hunter shares his hope to return to his passion for music, which has been put on hold due to his health.
- Closing Gratitude: Andi thanks Amanda and Hunter for their openness and for shining a light on the life-saving importance of organ donation.
📝 Key Takeaways
- Alport Syndrome Impacts More Than Just the Kidneys. The disease affects collagen in the kidneys, ears, and eyes—causing kidney failure along with hearing and vision loss. Families living with Alport face a multifaceted battle that extends beyond dialysis and transplants.
- Living Donation Changes Lives. Amanda and her family’s story highlights how living donors can provide not just organs, but hope, extra years of health, and renewed possibilities for families facing genetic diseases.
- The Emotional Toll Is Real, But So Is Resilience. From Amanda’s transplant journey to Hunter’s daily dialysis struggles, the episode underscores both the emotional challenges of waiting for a transplant and the strength families draw from one another while navigating uncertainty.
📢 Tweetable Quotes
“Alport Syndrome is a relatively rare genetic disease. I think it affects my daughter has all the stats, like one in 50,000 live births, about 200,000 people across the United States. It affects the type four collagen in the kidney, which is also found in the ears and the eyes. So, along with deterioration of the kidneys, it also causes hearing loss, vision loss over time.” - Amanda
“So I got the call. We were getting ready to have dinner for New Year's Eve, and I got a call from UK (University of Kentucky) saying we have a match out of Arkansas. I went to the hospital by myself, and they did all of my testing, and then everything was perfect. Somehow it was kind of miraculous, and they did the transplant the next day.” - Amanda
“I noticed kind of recurring symptoms…They did a biopsy at that point and showed signs of just chronic rejection, which the average lifespan is about 10 to 12 years for a kidney, so they really couldn't find a cause for it. They just said it was chronic.” - Amanda
“Well, it was kind of just out of nowhere, when it first happened, when I first knew I was going into kidney failure. It was literally just no warning, in one day. It's like a switch flipped, and that was just the case.” - Hunter
“It leaves you pretty drained… once you're off of it, the rest of the day, you're pretty much useless. It just saps everything out of you; you're not really left with much energy. So usually it's just getting off dialysis. If I have anything that needs to be attended to, I'll just do it real quick and then just go home and breathe, you know, fall asleep immediately.” - Hunter
Resources:
https://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.networkforhope.org/stories-of-hope/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
"Full Circle: Interview with Markeyah Lewis on Life, Lupus, and the Gift of a Kidney"
Markeyah Lewis was diagnosed with Lupus, leading to early kidney failure. When her mother wasn’t a direct transplant match, they turned to Advanced Kidney Donation—a life-changing decision that helped Markeyah receive her transplant in 2022. Now a mother and soon-to-be Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Markeyah shares her powerful story of resilience, motherhood, and the miracle of second chances.
✨ Episode Highlights
- Andi introduces Markeyah Lewis and invites her to reflect on how they first met four years ago, during her battle with lupus.
- Markeyah shares her inspiring story of resilience and hope amid life-altering circumstances.
- She describes undergoing hemodialysis during her senior year of college.
- Her mother, although not a direct donor match, was determined to help.
- Markeyah explains how Advanced Kidney Donation allowed her mother to donate to another person—making Markeyah a priority on the transplant list.
- In 2022, her mother donated a kidney to a stranger named Charlie, with whom they still keep in touch.
- Andi and Markeyah discuss the importance of honoring the gift of life after a transplant.
- Markeyah offers heartfelt advice for those battling chronic illness, emphasizing the importance of a strong support system.
- They explore the role of faith in navigating health struggles and finding purpose.
- Markeyah shares her deep gratitude for her mother’s selfless act.
- She opens up about her pregnancy journey, which was unexpectedly smooth despite the risks associated with lupus and kidney disease.
- Markeyah also details her mother’s donation journey and her current health.
- She expresses thanks to their medical team and looks forward to becoming an occupational therapist.
- The episode concludes with Markeyah reflecting on her first Mother’s Day.
📝 Key Takeaways
- Markeyah's story sheds light on the power of organ donation and the impact of Advanced Kidney Donation. Her mother’s courage to donate a kidney to a stranger not only saved a life but also gave Markeyah a new beginning.
- Despite the challenges of chronic illness, Markeyah’s journey illustrates the importance of faith, community, and perseverance.
- Her experience of motherhood and her educational pursuits underscore the promise of living life fully post-transplant.
📢 Tweetable Quotes
“I believe it's called advanced kidney donation, where she is not able to donate to me, but she is able to donate to someone else who is in need of a transplant, and that essentially makes me a priority.”
- Markeyah Lewis
“So your mom affectionately named her kidney that she donated brown sugar. Yes. So brown sugar is doing well with Charlie.”
- Markeyah Lewis
“And so I think that is like the biggest promise that I can keep, again, to my donor and their family and myself, is just to continue to live my life fully.”
- Markeyah Lewis
“It was often hard for me to imagine what my life would be like, not on dialysis or, you know, not battling a chronic illness. And it may seem simple, but really truly, just don't give up.”
- Markeyah Lewis
Resources:
https://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega.
This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation.
Resources:
https://getoffthelist.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
https://aopo.org/
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Title: "The Gift of Life: A Conversation with Dr. Alex Ancheta, Transplant Surgeon"
🎙️ Episode Summary
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Alex Ancheta, a transplant surgeon at the UK HealthCare Transplant Center. Dr. Ancheta shares his journey into the world of transplant surgery, from his educational path to the personal motivations that drew him to this life-saving field. He opens up about the emotional and professional drive behind his work, as well as the vital importance of clear and compassionate communication, especially when addressing generational concerns surrounding organ donation. Join us for a powerful discussion on what it truly means to give, receive, and advocate for the gift of life.
✨ Episode Highlights
- Meet Dr. Alex Ancheta. Andi welcomes Dr. Ancheta, a transplant surgeon at UK HealthCare's Transplant Center, who shares his career journey from EMT to physician, and what drew him into transplant surgery.
- The Rewards and Challenges of Transplant Surgery. Dr. Ancheta opens up about the emotional rewards of helping save lives, while also reflecting on the ethical and logistical challenges of organ donation—such as finding suitable matches and ensuring fair allocation.
- The Role of AI and Data. He discusses how artificial intelligence and advanced data systems are helping improve organ allocation and streamline transplant logistics.
- Patient Stories and Lifelong Impact. Andi and Dr. Ancheta discuss how patients’ courage and gratitude inspire their continued work. Dr. Ancheta shares that his responsibility doesn’t end after surgery—it continues as patients live on with their new organs.
- Restoring Faith in Humanity. Dr. Ancheta reflects on the power of witnessing anonymous organ donation, saying that moments like these reaffirm his belief in the goodness of people.
- Clarifying Misconceptions Around Registration. He debunks a common myth: registering as an organ donor doesn’t guarantee donation. Only a small percentage of people become eligible at the time of death, but registering still matters.
- Addressing Mistrust and Misconceptions. Dr. Ancheta talks about the mistrust in underserved communities, and how open dialogue, education, and firsthand stories from organ recipients can begin to rebuild understanding and hope.
- Breaking Down Barriers to Transplant Evaluation. Together, Andi and Dr. Ancheta discuss the importance of making transplant evaluation more accessible, including the role of support groups and education in guiding patients through the process.
- The Power of Living Donation. Dr. Ancheta shares how he encourages kidney patients to consider living donation as a life-extending option, and highlights the incredible stories of connection between donors and recipients.
- A Memorable Reunion. Witnessing a transplant recipient meet the donor’s family—an emotional and unforgettable exchange that shows the far-reaching impact of one person’s decision.
- Looking Ahead. The episode wraps with a discussion on how technology continues to transform organ transplant practices, from evaluation to recovery.
📝 Key Takeaways
- Transplant Surgery Is More Than a Procedure—It’s a Lifelong Commitment. Dr. Ancheta emphasizes that his role extends far beyond the operating room. The relationships with patients and their stories continue long after surgery, making the work deeply personal and meaningful.
- Misinformation Is One of the Biggest Barriers to Donation. Many people misunderstand what it means to register as an organ donor. Dr. Ancheta advocates for open, honest education and cultural sensitivity, especially in underserved communities.
- Technology Is Advancing the Future of Transplant Care. AI and data analytics are helping make the organ allocation process more efficient and equitable, bringing hope to patients waiting for life-saving transplants.
📢 Tweetable Quotes
“People who have organ failure from different causes, and being able to see the transformation that you can make the difference in their lives and how much, how much it changes them.”- Dr. Ancheta
“I think transplant as a specialty is a fairly young specialty, and, you know, dealing with the immune system compatibility, there's, you know, such an incredibly complex field that there's still, honestly, a lot to discover.” - Dr. Ancheta
“I think AI can be very useful in helping us to analyze the, you know, the outcomes data and the allocation processes. So I think that's going to be one of the biggest roles that AI is going to help us in determining how we can always, how we can improve the way that we're allocating organs, so how we can improve the way that we're assessing donors.” - Dr. Ancheta
“So it's very gratifying to see you know someone who's had a transplant 10 years ago, and they tell you about their life and the family that they've started…” - Dr. Ancheta
“It requires, you know, a lot of stars to align to be able to donate.” - Dr. Ancheta
Resources:
https://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.networkforhope.org/stories-of-hope/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega.
This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation.
Resources:
https://getoffthelist.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
https://aopo.org/