This Thing Called Life

EP 84: Mes de la Concientización del Riñón

This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega.  The monthly interview will provide the Spanish Community with information about Life Center and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.

EP 83: Todos Podemos Ayudar

This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega.  The monthly interview will provide the Spanish Community with information about Life Center and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.

 

EP 82: Heartbeat Chronicles - Pioneering Heart Transplant at Christ Hospital With Guest Terri and George Cecere

Heartbeat Chronicles - Pioneering Heart Transplant at Christ Hospital With Guest Terri and George Cecere

 

February is American Heart Month, where women are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. In today’s episode, we want to introduce you to George and Terri Cecere. Tune in and hear about their journey together managing heart disease and ultimately a heart transplant as Husband and Wife. 

 

Episode Highlights:

• Andi introduces George and Terri Cecere
• George and Terri tell the story of how they met and Terri being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma early in their relationship
• In 2002, Terri was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy at 43 years old
• Terri found a cardiologist with experience in heart failure treatment, which helped manage her condition until the time she needed a heart transplant at age 62
• Andi asks about the symptoms of Cardiomyopathy
• Terri explains her symptoms and relates them to common heart failure 
• Terri lived with cardiomyopathy for 17 years, receiving treatment and care from Dr. O'Brien and the advanced heart failure team
• Her condition gradually worsened over time, leading to the recommendation of a heart transplant
• Terri received a heart transplant at Christ Hospital Health Network, becoming the first recipient of the program
• Andi asks Terri about how she feels about all the media attention
• Terri shares her story and advocates for heart health awareness with the help of her husband George and Life Center
• Terri expresses gratitude to the donor family for giving her the gift of life, acknowledging their difficult decision to donate
• Terri also talks about how the reality of having to care for someone with heart disease is challenging and the gift George has been through this journey

3 Key Points:

1. Terri and George talk about how they thrived through 17 years of Heart Disease
2. They share their experiences for 17 years leading up to the heart transplant and express gratitude for how they were cared for by their doctor(s) and hospital
3. Terri now advocates for heart health awareness with the help of her husband George and Life Center

 

Tweetable Quotes:

• “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.” - Andi Johnson
• “I decided I needed a cardiologist who had experience with heart failure in particular, because it makes a huge difference.” - Terri Cecere
• “But I do think that intellectually we knew that at the end of the journey, the heart transplant was possible.” - George Cecere
• “Since Terri's transplant, which was, you know, only about 15 months ago, they've completed 19 heart transplants, which is an astounding number considering you know, how new the program is.” - George Cecere
• “And there's not a better person to have as your caregiver than George. I mean, he's, he was amazing.” - Terri Cecere

Resources:

https://lifepassiton.org/

https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/

https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH

https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

https://aopo.org/

EP 81: The Impact Of Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation On Our 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.  In this episode, we talk with Don Juan Fasho from 100.3 Cincy's R&B station.

 

Resources:
https://lifepassiton.org/
https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH
Life Center Phone # 513-558-5555

EP 80: A Guide Through Loss And Transformation, With Kelly Gunnels Valines

A Guide Through Loss And Transformation, With Kelly Gunnels Valines

 

In today’s episode, we want to introduce you to Kelly Gunnels aka author K.R.V. Gunnels as she discusses her story of advocacy and activism following the murder of a family member in 2017. Through the passing of her brother, she shares the importance of addressing systemic issues affecting black communities and how you can help others through organ donation. Kelly also talks about her book “A Widows Guide” and the inspiration behind it.

 

Episode Highlights:

• Kelly Gunnels shares her story of advocacy and activism following the murder of her brother Reco in 2017.
• Reco just renewed his license and when he was asked to be an organ donor, he said yes. Reco’s decision gave Kelly the confidence and comfort to contact Life Center. 
• When Kelly was asked to speak about stopping gun violence in the community her journey of activism and leadership began.
• So often, in the black community, organ donation is not discussed but when Reco died, his family was able to honor his wishes and donate his organs, which helped several people in need. 
• Kelly recalls the moments when Reco was brought to the ER, and how the hospital staff fought for his life.
• Kelly also experienced the loss of her husband which inspired her book; a Widows Guide. Her journey in writing made her recognize something about herself, she writes when she’s in pain. 
• She recounts her journey through grief after losing her husband suddenly, including an investigation which enhanced her struggle to come to terms with the loss.
• Kelly met a fellow author who introduced her to a spiritual mentor, who helped her find faith and surrender to God's plan.

3 Key Points:

1. Kelly Gunnels talks about the passing of her brother Reco and how the tragedy launched her journey to use her voice and talk about the reality of violence in the community and the importance of organ donation. 
2. She talks about her family’s legacy and how she started writing. The passing of her husband and the difficulty of the situation inspired her to write her book “A Widows Guide”.
3. Organizing a blood drive and healing after loss.

Tweetable Quotes:

• “​​We're all working to be the best that we can be.” - K. Gunnels
• “Everyone's not going to be a match for you. But you have to decide.” - K. Gunnels
• “So yes, they will fight for you, even if you sign up to be a donor they will still fight for your life.” - K. Gunnels
• “What I recognize about myself, is that I always write when I'm in pain.” - K. Gunnels
• “God shows up for us all the time.” - K. Gunnels

Resources:

https://lifepassiton.org/

https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/

https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH

https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

https://aopo.org/

 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=widows+guide+journey+through+insanity

 

Facebook: Kelly Gunnels - https://www.facebook.com/kgunnels

Un nuevo año de donación y DoNation' ?

This episode of This Thing Called Life will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega.  The monthly interview will provide the Spanish Community with information about Life Center and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.

The Four Year Journey Of Waiting For A Kidney Donation

The Four Year Journey Of Waiting For A Kidney Donation

 

In today’s episode we want to introduce you to Carmelita C Jones. Carmelita discusses how she dealt with the realities of kidney failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, adulting, and why it is important for her to be an advocate for her circumstances. By understanding the real struggles of kidney disease and the symptoms associated she hopes to help the next generation avoid long term damage to the kidneys and help them live a better and healthier life!

 

Episode Highlights:

• Carmelita Jones shares her story of needing a kidney transplant and her passion for giving and loving others
• She shares about career changes and medical challenges after a car accident
• She talks about her diagnosis and treatment options for Kidney Failure.
• Life before the accident, Carmelita knew she had diabetes and high blood pressure. 
• Carmelita discusses diabetes, the organ transplant waitlist, and the black community.
• “Make better choices, eat to live, not just live to eat.”
• She points out the importance of teaching the next generation about nutritional value because they risk making the same mistakes as the past generation.
• There is a rise in children being diagnosed with diabetes at a much younger ages.
• There are more organizations to help with better nutrition, such as fresh fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, cooking classes, community gardens, etc. that could help with the problem.
• Carmelita describes her dialysis routine, including early morning appointments and time spent in the bathroom. She also describes how COVID-19 affected her financial situation.
• Carmelita shares her struggles with kidney disease and the impact on her daily life, including the importance of regular dialysis treatments and the need for a kidney transplant
• Carmelita advocates for normalizing conversations about mental health and wellness in the black community, emphasizing the importance of being open and honest about one's struggles.
• She reflects on the importance of a supportive tribe in navigating adulting and its challenges.
• She provides contact information for those interested in learning more or donating, emphasizing the anonymous process and the positive impact on donors' lives.

3 Key Points:

1. Carmelita Jones shares the reality of having Kidney Failure and how she found it out after an accident. She also shares that prior to the accident, she knew she was diabetic and had high blood pressure. 
2. Carmelita discusses a brief connection of the african american history and how we pass on the generational curse of bad choices when it comes to our health.
3. Carmelita advocates for normalizing conversations about mental health and wellness in the black community, emphasizing the importance of being open and honest about one's struggles

Tweetable Quotes:

• “High blood pressure is another major factor. Not to specify one particular group, but you know, African Americans suffer from high blood pressure because of our history literally on slave boats.” - Carmelita Jones
• “We need to teach our children first and foremost. So we don't give them our bad habits.” - Carmelita Jones
• “If you look at obesity, and our young people, it's off the charts. It's ridiculous. And it's because they're following our habit.” - Carmelita Jones
• “Adulting is hard. It requires so much patience. And a lot of times we take that time to take care of ourselves.” - Carmelita Jones

Resources:

https://lifepassiton.org/

https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/

https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH

https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

https://aopo.org/

 

Christ hospital call Bree @ 513-585-1427 for answers to any questions about the process of kidney donation for Carmelita

 

Facebook: Carmelita C. Jones - https://www.facebook.com/carmelita.c.jones

Todos Pueden Ser Donantes

Todos Pueden Ser Donantes

 

During this episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson speaks with Courtney Schapier, a liver donor, the sister of a liver recipient, and one of the Organ Donation Coordinators at LifeCenter. Upon learning about her brother’s need for a liver, Courtney made the incredibly brave decision to make a difference. Her story is simply amazing!

 

Episode Highlights: 

 

• Courtney has been an Organ Donation Coordinator at LifeCenter for the past 6-7 years.
• Donation Coordinators handle the medical management and evaluation for organ donors.
• Amongst other responsibilities, Courtney plays a large part in matching organs to donors.
• Sometimes, organ donation acts as the silver lining to families that are going through an incredibly hard time.
• Donation coordination is a 24-hour job because donation does not run on a 9-5 schedule.
• From the time that a case opens to the time it closes, Courtney is on the clock for 36 hours.
• Courtney uses CrossFit and a great support system as outlets for the high stress levels of this job.
• With such a high-stress job, it’s no surprise that there is a high level of turnover.
• There have been times where the stress of the job has made Courtney question her desire to be here.
• COVID brought everything to a screeching halt when it first exploded back in March.
• The sheer amount of unknown information has made the ongoing global pandemic that much scarier.
• Things have finally begun to get back to normal, meaning more lives are being saved via organ donation.
• In 2016, Courtney’s brother discovered a huge mass on his liver that required a transplant.
• Unfortunately, Courtney lost her father when she was only 2 months old, so her brother acted as a father to her.
• Courtney was informed that she was a donor match for her brother while supporting a family that was pulling life-support.
• The weight of the situation started to feel heavy when Courtney sat on the pre-op table.
• Sitting outside the OR doors on the pre-op table, Courtney was rolled back for surgery after only 20 or 30 minutes.
• There were a handful of signs that something was wrong with Courtney’s brother’s liver long before the doctors caught it.
• After everything was said and done, it took a 10-hour procedure for Courtney to donate over half of her liver.
• The first thing that Courtney can remember is getting sick immediately after surgery.
• Courtney finally got to see her brother when she was transferred to the ICU.
• It was a complete shift in lifestyle for Courtney from the moment that she found out she was a donor match for her brother.
• Finding living liver donors is more rare than finding living kidney donors.
• Both Courtney and her brother fully recovered and are as healthy as they can be today.
• TX Jet was kind enough to donate its services to fly Courtney and her family out for surgery.
• After her donation, Courtney was sure that she was at the right job at LifeCenter.
• Courtney was comforted by the knowledge that everything in her life made her the perfect donor for her brother.
• This year, Courtney is focusing on being more present when she is with loved ones.
• The amazing thing about donation and transplantation is the opportunity to potentially save a life.

 

3 Key Points:

1. Organ Donation Coordinators manage everything from the moment a donor decides to donate, to the time that the organ is sent to its recipient.
2. It takes a very special person to not only manage the responsibilities of being a Donation Coordinator, but also the rollercoaster of emotions that come with the job.
3. Courtney donated just over 50% of her own liver, which was oversized, to begin with, to save her brother’s life.

 

Resources Mentioned:

• LifeCenter (website) (Facebook) (Instagram) (YouTube) (Twitter)
• Andi Johnson (website) (LinkedIn)
• TX Jet (website)

May 2023 Appreciation and Community Impact Events - EP 76 Mini

Episode 76: MAY 2023 Appreciation and Community Impact Events

 

It’s been a minute! April was National Donate Month, and we honored and celebrated our donor heroes across the region. Now sliding into May, we extend our gratitude to nurses and teachers, Happy National Nurses Week, National Transplant Nurses Week, and National Teacher Appreciation Week! 

Episode Highlights:

• Life Center partnered with Hospitals across the region to honor donors, healthcare teams, and recipients. 
• They also celebrated the donor heroes from 2022 with the Anual Donor Family Recognition ceremony.
• Life Center also partnered with the Center For Closing the Health Gap to discuss generational health and the Black Community at the Annual Health Expo
• A partnership with the Cincinnati Reds also kicked off by honoring a donor hero 
• Sliding into May, we extend our gratitude to nurses and teachers, Happy National Nurses Week, National Transplant Nurses Week, and National Teacher Appreciation week! 
• 103,871 Men, Women, and Children need life-saving organ transplants, and 21 people will die because what they need isn’t available.
• Learn the importance of registering to be a donor, and why it matters!

 

3 Key Points:

1. Life Center partnered across the Region to honor and celebrate donors, healthcare teams, and recipients.
2. May will be a month of gratitude towards Nurses and Teachers!
3. We must learn the importance of registering as a donor, why it matters, and the truth about organ donation. 

Tweetable Quotes:

• “Today, 103,871 Men, Women, and Children need life-saving organ transplants, and 21 people will die because the organ they need isn’t available.” - Andi
• “Take a moment to learn why donation matters, and why registering to be a donor absolutely matters.” - Andi

Resources:

https://lifepassiton.org/

https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/

https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH

https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

https://aopo.org/

Episode 75: A Fifteen-year-old’s Decision to Become an Organ Donor and the Impact on his Family

On this episode of This Thing Called Life, Andi Johnson speaks with Aimee Cordrey. She will be sharing the gift of life that her son, Nicholas has given to many recipients and how influenced others to do the same. She will also be reflecting some light upon the life of her son and sharing her story of grief and pathway to healing. Tune in now for this special story.

Episode Highlights: 

• Aimee Cordrey is married to Darren Cordray. They have been married for over 20 years and been together for a little bit longer than that. They met in college, and they have two sons Richard, a 19 year old, and Nick, who would be 17, but he is forever 15. Both of them are athletes, very different yet very similar in their interests and just how they approach life.
• In the middle of the pandemic Aimee and her family had been quarantined like everyone else for quite some time. School had just ended. Nick had just finished freshman year of high school and it was Memorial Day. Nick and Aimee went shopping that day to get some hamburgers and some vegetables and different things to grill out.
• Nick hadn't seen his friends because of quarantine. Aimee allowed him to go meet some of his friends at a local ice cream shop that was within walking distance of their house because one of his best friends was leaving for vacation the next day and she was going to be gone for two weeks.
• Nick decided to take a shower at night. All of a sudden Aimee heard the water go on and then they heard some really heavy, intense breathing, they were shocked. They thought it was our other son Richard, playing video games. She went to the basement, but it was not Richard, it was Nick.
• Nick loved life and he approached everything with this attitude of – "I can do it." His family really believed he was going to be okay and pull through.
• Aimee explains how and when they went about the conversation of Nick being an orgn donor. The hospital staff acknowledged all the protocols that they have in place, and they contacted Life Center.
• Nick had not yet been able to get his temps. He would have been eligible for them. The month that everything happened, he had actually registered as an organ donor.
• The letter that Aimee received said that Nick saved five people with seven organs, and probably impacted 40 to 50 others. The only thing Nick was unable to donate was his intestines, which they initially believed he was going to be able to do until they started doing the surgery.
• Aimee shares her thoughts on what it all meant to her, Darren and Richard to know that Nick helped so many people by donating his organs. 
• “Learning that sometimes bad things happen to good people and learning to be ok with that and it is not even being ok with it, it's just accepting it- that is one piece of it. The donation piece brings that pride.” -Aimee
• Aimee thinks that being able to talk about organ donation enables her to talk about Nick. 
• Andi feels like Aimee is doing so much just to help people understand the magnitude of the donation and its impact.
• Andi asks Aimee about the project that she is working on at his school in his honor. 
• One of Nick's friends, Grayson, started a change.org petition. He wanted to have the school board name the soccer field after Nick.
• There isn't a lesson here when it comes to losing a son. The only lesson that Aimee has learned is that bad things happen to good people, and she has learned that when you encounter a loss like this you integrate it into your life, you don't overcome it.
• Grief is something that has stages and some stages may be re-visited at times. It is ongoing.
• Nick loved everything. All of the time he was researching,  reading to understand deeply, caring deeply, everything was with passion, everything was with full intent. He didn't do anything without truly caring about it. If he was gonna do it, he was doing it 100% all in and that's what Nick was, and he is.

3 Key Points:

1. Nick had a brain aneurysm that his family didn't know about. Nick did not complain of a headache that day. He didn't have any signs of anything that day. He had an amazing day, and it was that quick. They called 911. They were very quick, they took him to the hospital, his aneurysm ruptured three times. At the hospital, they did surgery on him and for 9 days his family thought Nick was going to make it. 
2. Aimee tells the listeners how Nick was able to help other people through the gift of life that he was able to give. 
3. Each one of us is different. Unique as people, Aimee thinks everyone's grief is very unique. She needed to be around other people. Aimee thinks that the donor family council is amazing. They are a source of strength. They are unshakable.

 

Resources Mentioned:

• LifeCenter | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter
• Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn 
• Organ Donation Website