Episodes

  • A Home When Needed

    A Home When Needed
    Jul 9 2024
    This episode of “Let’s Talk About Life” is about celebrating! We are taking time to acknowledge a huge accomplishment, the tenth anniversary of the opening of Transplant House of Cleveland. If you’re unfamiliar with Transplant House of Cleveland, it’s a nonprofit organization providing affordable, temporary housing and a welcoming, supportive community to organ transplant patients and their families. This community is not just a group of people, but a network of support and understanding, making Transplant House of Cleveland a compassionate home-away-from-home. Elaine Turley, Executive Director, and Aaron Babcock, Manager of Communications and the Annual Fund, will discuss the beauty […]
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    30 mins
  • Bella's Journey to Transplant

    Bella's Journey to Transplant
    Jun 25 2024
    Join us as we delve into Angela Voisard’s heart-wrenching story about her fourth child, Bella, a beautiful baby whose life took an unexpected turn after two months. An emergency visit to Akron Children’s Hospital brought to light the stark reality that Bella’s life was hanging by a thread. Don’t miss our enlightening conversation with Bella’s mom and her Pediatric Cardiologist from Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, Dr. Shahnawaz Amdani. We’ll discover the unique complexities of pediatric transplantation, Bella’s extraordinary journey, and the pressing issue of dwindling pediatric organ donors. This discussion could reshape your understanding of pediatric health issues and perhaps […]
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    29 mins
  • Grieving Loss on Father's Day

    Grieving Loss on Father's Day
    Jun 11 2024
    As Father’s Day approached, we had a conversation with Ryan Dornon, a father who lost his almost two-year-old daughter, Kinsley. Ryan shared their unimaginable story and talked about his journey through the immense grief he feels. Elissa Berman, Lifebanc Bereavement Services Manager, provided insights and information on the grieving process and ways to recognize specific differences of grieving men.
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    28 mins
  • The Kidney Foundation of Ohio Services

    The Kidney Foundation of Ohio Services
    May 28 2024
    The Kidney Foundation of Ohio has assisted hundreds of individuals burdened with kidney disease since the 1950s. It has an esteemed but surprising history and a direct connection to organ donation and patient assistance programs that put dollars in the hands of those who need help the most. Learn more about this “little organization that could” on this episode, featuring guests Kelly Dowling, Executive Director, and Jennifer Clegg, Client Services and Community Manager of the KFO.
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    29 mins
  • Considering Donor-Recipient Communication?

    Considering Donor-Recipient Communication?
    May 14 2024
    Lifebanc Bereavement Services Department has a stellar history of providing support and care to grieving families. We’re committed to continually enhancing our services for relatives of organ, eye, and tissue donors, a key part of which includes facilitating correspondence between donor families and recipients. Over the years, some common questions have been asked, such as why some donor families or recipients haven’t received any communication from the other party. Dena Balk, our Bereavement Services Coordinator, and Counselor addresses these complex matters in a dedicated episode. After tuning in, if you wish to delve deeper into the topic, we invite you […]
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    20 mins
  • Neighborhood Shop Talk

    Neighborhood Shop Talk
    Apr 30 2024
    Relax in a cozy chair at Rival Barber Lounge and immerse yourself in the ambiance. You’ll feel like you’re part of an engaging conversation. Edmund Wilson III, the Lifebanc Community Outreach Program Manager, assumes the role of podcast host, exploring the neighborhood and discussing organ, eye, and tissue donation. Edmund and the owner of Rival Barber Lounge, Aaron Turpin, are joined by Michael Fordham, a kidney transplant recipient. They have an honest and open discussion about his transplant experience, the mistrust in the medical field, and the importance of everyone making a donation decision.
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    20 mins
  • Donate Life Month Message

    Donate Life Month Message
    Apr 2 2024
    We’re privileged to share a conversation with a remarkable individual who has experienced the donation process firsthand. Hannah Fleming, a dedicated nurse from the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Surgical team, has been a part of donor recoveries with Lifebanc. Hannah lovingly shares her experiences as an O.R. nurse and the profound bond she feels with every organ recovery case she’s been a part of.
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    19 mins
  • Abbie's Echo

    Abbie's Echo
    Mar 19 2024
    You can hear Abbie’s echo in Matthew Carey’s voice if you listen very closely. Matthew Carey, a former firefighter and EMTP-P, knows firsthand through his whirlwind experience of needing a heart transplant to survive that life is fragile. His 15-year-old daughter, Abbie, echoed the hero who saved her father and decided to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Matthew never expected the heartwrenching circumstances of agreeing to fulfill his daughter’s decision. Listen to this moving story about life received and then given.
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    33 mins