In Episode 9, we welcome Melissa McQueen, the president and co-founder of Transplant Families. After her youngest son received a heart transplant in 2009, Melissa found herself searching for a support that was devoted solely to pediatric transplant families and that was accessible to all who needed it. When she didn’t find the resources she was seeking, she brought together fellow caregivers to build the community they wanted to have.

Listen in as Melissa recounts the emotional challenges of discovering her son Dylan's need for a heart transplant. Through her story, she offers a raw and honest glimpse into the emotional and logistical hurdles faced by families navigating the complex world of pediatric organ transplantation. We talk through the pivotal moments, including the family's decision-making process in choosing a transplant center and the life-altering call about a donor heart. Melissa opens up about the impact of the transplant on family dynamics, finances, and mental health, highlighting the critical role of medical professionals and loved ones. Her passion for advocacy shines through, as she shares stories of how parental voices can influence medical advancements and policies. Join us as we celebrate the resilience of families, like the McQueen’s, who are navigating the transplant journey!

Links & Resources:

• www.TransplantFamilies.org
• www.COTA.org

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA).

In episode 8 of the Pressing On Podcast, we hear from Clay and Lauren Buckwalter! The Buckwalters have experienced several difficult trials personally, including seeing their daughter spend nearly a week in the NICU at West Penn Hospital when she was born. Their experience has led them to partnering with Pressing On in creative ways, including using Clay’s upcoming Pittsburgh Marathon to care for hospitalized families. They both talk through their family's hospital experience, share how they navigated the NICU and why they're using Clay's Run to support the work that Pressing On does with hospitalized families. Listen in to this inspiring episode!

Clay is a Personal Trainer & Health Coach, with a degree in Exercise Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Lauren earned her teaching degree from Liberty University and currently teaches Middle School Science virtually for CCA. The Buckwalters have been married for 8 years and reside in Irwin, PA with their two kids, Roby and Blake.

SUPPORT CLAY'S RUN: https://www.pressingon.org/claysrun

PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically! SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) ⁠⁠⁠https://cota.org/⁠⁠⁠

FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.PressingOn.org⁠⁠⁠

MUSIC: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com

In this episode, we sit down with Jay & Rachel Mitlo as they share their family’s journey of dealing with the tragic effects of pediatric cancer. In a very real and vulnerable way, they give personal perspective and encouraging hope to parents that have lost a child. Their youngest son, Trey (nicknamed “Young Warrior”), completed his battle with cancer on November 5th, 2014. During our talk, they discuss what they learned from Trey’s life, how they intentionally leaned on their community during the many hospitalizations, how they championed the emotional needs of their other children during this difficult time, and how they’ve celebrated their child’s life as they heal.

Jay is the Pastor at Faith Community Church and Rachel serves as a Paraprofessional at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and they’ll reach their silver anniversary together here in 2024, having been married for 25 years.

PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically!

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) ⁠⁠⁠https://cota.org/⁠⁠⁠

FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.PressingOn.org⁠⁠⁠

MUSIC: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com

In this podcast episode, we talk with Rick Lofgren, President & CEO of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), as he shares his passion for serving families on the journey of pediatric transplant. Rick’s relational leadership style is contagious and it was a joy to hear him share numerous stories of persevering transplant families that he’s built relationships with over the years. During our talk, he describes the ins & outs of fundraising for a major surgery and how important it is to have supportive friends and loved ones with you on the journey. If you or someone you know is affected by a pediatric transplant, this is a must-listen episode! Rick has a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University, an MBA from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a Master of Science in administration from Central Michigan University. Rick and his wife, Lisa, have two married children and three grandkids. They are avid cyclists and gardeners, as well. PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically! SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) ⁠⁠⁠https://cota.org/⁠⁠⁠ Founded in 1986, COTA has helped raise more than $160 million for transplant-related expenses and seen over 3,000 COTA patients transplanted successfully. FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.PressingOn.org⁠⁠⁠ MUSIC: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com

In this podcast episode, we talk with Korbin Diggs as she shares her family’s traumatic healthcare experience of having not one, but two of her children diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma within a span of two years.  Korbin gets vulnerable about what hospital life feels like as a parent and how she walked the isolating road of caring for her children in and out of the hospital, supported by her strong faith.  Korbin shares graciously about topics like the effects of chemotherapy, how to coach your support system on what is helpful when you’re in the hospital, how perseverance in prayer gave her strength and the amazing care her family received from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Oncology team.   Korbin serves as the Administrative Director at Reclamation Church and is a former Marketing & Training Director for Chick-fil-A.  She has a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and has now lived in Pittsburgh for 34 years.  She’s been married to her husband Reno for 26 years and has three adult children, Evan, Ross and Gillian. PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically! SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) ⁠⁠⁠https://cota.org/⁠⁠⁠ FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.PressingOn.org⁠⁠⁠ MUSIC: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com

In this episode, we chat with Pat and Brittany Smith, as they share their family's story of navigating the challenging waters of pediatric transplant in a very unique season: during the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020. Pat and Brittany share the challenges of managing their child's disease, how and when they decided to opt for transplant, the pros / cons of spending so much time in the hospital during Covid, how to harness the power or your relationships during healthcare trauma and how their faith shaped their journey.

Pat and Brittany Smith have been married for 13 years and they have 3 children: Mia (their oldest, who’s 10) and their twins, Emma and Owen who are both 8. They reside in New Wilmington, PA where Brittany is an educator as a 5th Grade Teacher and Pat is the Head Swimming & Diving coach at Westminster College. Their family has collectively shown resilience in the face of a critical illness and facing the long journey of pediatric transplant for their daughter Emma.

PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically!

SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) ⁠⁠⁠https://cota.org/⁠⁠⁠

FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.PressingOn.org

⁠⁠⁠​MUSIC: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com

In this episode, Jim Barnard discusses how medical trauma and physical suffering affects the whole family. Jim is a coach, author, pastor and speaker who enjoys helping people explore their hurts and the "expectation gap" in their lives – between what they envisioned and what they’ve experienced. In his unique and vulnerable way, Jim shares Alisha's medical journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrone, how we can all address the "expectation gap" in our lives and parenting tips during a medical crisis.

Jim and his wife Alisha got married in 2006 and within 3 months, Alisha got terribly sick. Her health took a dramatic turn when she could no longer keep any food down. Just months after being married, they made their way to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where Alisha was ultimately diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Jim chronicles Alisha's illness and their difficult medical journey in his book "The Suffering Guy" where he combines vulnerability with wit in an inspirational way. Check it out!

Jim & Alisha Barnard have been married for 17 years and they reside in Denver, CO with their 13-year old son, Anderson.

Buy the book "The Suffering Guy"

Tiller Coaching - connect with Jim!

PODCAST PURPOSE: To amplify voices of perseverance and highlight the journey of hospitalized families, so that everyone who listens will be encouraged to “press on” through tough times holistically! SPONSOR: The Pressing On Podcast is sponsored by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) ⁠⁠https://cota.org/⁠⁠ FREE PRESSING ON RESOURCES: For more information and to access all of our free resources for hospitalized families and those on the transplant journey, visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.PressingOn.org⁠⁠​ MUSIC: ⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com