The Gifted Life: Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Podcast

Show Notes: In this episode, we have an inspiring conversation with Christian Bergeron about his daughter and donor hero, Elleanor "Ella" Claire Bergeron. Christian and his family created the Elleanor Claire Memorial Foundation. Discover how the Foundation aims to comfort donor families through dedicated memorial sites within all 64 of Louisiana's parishes. The sites honor Ella and all children who have given the gift of life through donation, inspiring others to continue offering hope with those gifts. Then in our Mental Health Moment, we examine questions to ask ourselves to focus on prioritizing and sharpening our own self-care tactics, and then we honor donor hero, Rylee Skye.

Show Notes: We sit down with retired physician, Dr. Matthew Harmody, whose life took on new purpose after becoming a living kidney donor in 2017. What began as a personal decision to give the gift of life has grown into a powerful mission of advocacy, and his advocacy has reached new heights, literally. Dr. Harmody, alongside four fellow living donors, set out to climb the highest peak in every U.S. state in just 41 days. Dr. Harmody is proving that organ donation is the beginning of a bold new chapter. His book, Ascending America chronicles breathtaking summits, and the science behind why living donors often thrive after donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we discuss how to prioritize rest and hone in on the type of rest that is restorative, and then, honor hero Dexter Landry.

Show Notes: In this episode, we celebrate generosity and the impact of stepping forward to give the gift of life to a stranger. Andrea Childers, a living kidney donor, and Jennifer Davis, her transplant recipient, join us to reflect on the journey that saved Jennifer's life. Andrea's confidence in giving the gift of life set in motion a life-changing path for both of them. Together, they open up about the emotions and hope that has carried them through. In our Mental Health Moment, we focus to discuss tips for reducing distractions and honing in on what you want, and then, honor donor hero Gary Champagne.

Show Notes: On this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast, we share a 30-year journey rooted in service as we highlight the extraordinary impact of longtime donation advocate and LOPA Board Member David Puckett. David reflects on his family’s transplant journey with his daughter, Lauren, a journey that led him to become her living kidney donor for her first lifesaving transplant. That selfless gift, followed by a second kidney transplant, made countless milestones possible including the unforgettable moment David walked Lauren down the aisle. Beyond his role as a devoted father and living donor, David has given years of dedicated service to LOPA’s Board of Directors, helping guide the organization’s mission and champion donor families, recipients, and the lifesaving power of donation. His leadership, compassion and advocacy have left a lasting mark on LOPA and is a celebration of the moments made possible through the gift of life. In our Mental Health Moment, we discuss tips for examining what is important to you and how to fill your life with moments that matter, and then, we honor donor hero, Walker Johnson.

Show Notes: We welcome Beth Sparks, mother of donor hero Clayton Sparks, to share more about her son whose legacy continues to touch so many lives. Clayton, became an organ donor at the age of 24, and was the inspiration for the children’s book Clayton Sparks Leaves His Mark, written by Abby Gray, the wife of Clayton’s liver recipient. Beth reflects on Clayton’s vibrant personality, his compassion, and the impact he made in his short life. Hear how telling his story continues to bring comfort and inspires others to consider organ donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we offer practical tips for processing memories in a positive, productive manner, and then, honor hero Justin Bonvillian.

Show Notes: On this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast, we welcome Abby Gray, author of Clayton Sparks Leaves His Mark and Impatiently Waiting for Miracles. In January 2017, Abby began writing as a therapeutic outlet while she and her husband, Reid, faced serious health challenges. Four years later, their lives changed forever when Reid received a liver transplant through a directed donation from organ donor Clayton Sparks. Abby shares how her family and the Sparks family have become forever connected through the powerful ripple effect of organ donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we talk about ways grief can manifest in our lives, and discuss tips to cope with that loss in a positive manner. Then, we honor donor hero, Skylar Guidry.

Show Notes: On this episode we shine a spotlight on an incredible woman whose story combines generosity and advocacy with a touch of pageant sparkle. Jeri Gill, an altruistic living kidney donor, was recently crowned 2025 Ms. Senior World Louisiana in the 60’s age category. Jeri's platform is organ donation, and she uses her voice to champion the gift of donation. Don’t miss Jeri’s inspiring journey, her passion for donation, and how she continues to turn her personal gift into a movement of hope. Then in our Mental Health Moment, we chat about the various roles in our everyday lives, and offer practical tips for navigating those different roles with ease, then we pause to honor donor hero, Lainey Glaze.

Show Notes: On this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast we welcome Miss Louisiana’s Teen 2025, Virginia Kirkpatrick. 17 year old Virginia is an impressive leader on every level, but what really stood out is her Community Service Initiative to educate and encourage registration as an organ and tissue donor, “Life After Mine: Your Choice, Their Chance. Virginia shares her journey to the crown and why donation advocacy is so close to her heart. In our Mental Health Moment, we first ask the simple question “How are you?" We discuss ways to pause and really examine our feelings and tactics for embracing those feelings. Then, we honor donor hero Bret Flowers.

Show Notes: On this episode, we sit down with donor mom and author Maggie Fanera, whose debut book is titled Beautifully Broken. Maggie opens up about the lies she once believed about herself, and how God met her in the depths of abuse, heartbreak, and loss to rewrite her story. Maggie invites us into her journey of healing and purpose where she discusses what it means to break toxic cycles and speak life over your future, even when you feel broken beyond repair. Don’t miss this empowering conversation. In our Mental Health Moment we offer tips for setting and communicating your boundaries and then, we circle back to our guest, Maggie, who honors her son and donor hero, Caiden Stokes.

Show Notes: In this episode, we spotlight a groundbreaking advancement in transplantation offering new hope to patients with stage 4 colorectal cancer. At Northwestern Medicine, surgeons successfully split a donor's liver to save two lives. One portion of the donor's liver went for a traditional waitlist recipient, and the other portion, for a patient with advanced colorectal cancer. This approach is part of a new trial called CLEAR (Colorectal Metastasis to Liver Extraction with Auxiliary Transplant and Delayed Resection). We’re joined by Barclay Missen, the first Northwestern patient to undergo this innovative transplant and Dr. Satish Nadig, who shares how the CLEAR program is reshaping outcomes for patients. In our Mental Health Moment, we discuss tips for navigating the ups and downs of your day to maintain positive balance in your emotions, and then, honor donor hero Katherine Thiels.

Show Notes: On this episode of The Gifted Life Podcast, we sit down with Robert Boudwin who's a man known for his larger-than-life presence both on and off the court as the Houston Rockets’ beloved mascot “Clutch the Rocket Bear”. However, Robert’s story goes far beyond entertainment. He’s also a passionate Donate Life advocate with a personal journey of hope and healing. Our conversation is full of energy, heart, and purpose as Robert shares what drives him, the impact of donation on his family, and how we can all be heroes in someone’s story. Later in the episode, we explore how to find opportunities for growth while coping with loss in our Mental Health Moment, and we honor donor hero Michael Snider.

Show Notes: We’re joined by Ron Chapman — lung transplant recipient, author, and passionate advocate for those awaiting a second chance at life. In a powerful conversation, Ron shares his deeply personal story of resilience, fear, hope, and gratitude. Through his heartfelt discussion with our hosts and his inspiring book, A Quest for a Lung, Ron offers guidance and encouragement to anyone on the transplant journey. In this episode’s Mental Health Moment, we explore the power of resilience and share practical tips for overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Finally, we pay tribute to donor hero Asher Chavers.

Show Notes: For our milestone 250th episode, we bring you an inspiring conversation with Louis Smith, an Army veteran and heart transplant recipient, alongside Dr. Benjamin Bryner, a cardiac surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital who saved more than just his life. After serving in the military, Smith’s heart function declined to just 10 percent, leaving him in urgent need of a transplant. Within two weeks, he received a new heart but before the surgery, he had one special request: to preserve the tattoo on his chest that honored his late father. Hear his incredible journey and the unwavering dedication of his medical team. In our Mental Health Moment, we explore how our thoughts shape our paths, share tips on redirecting and reflecting on them, and honor hero Celestino Ornelas.

Show Notes: In this powerful episode, we sit down with Todd and Carrie Hensel. Todd underwent a two day surgery which included a seven-organ transplant, during which he died five times. Fate had other plans and organ donation gave Todd a second chance at life. Now, Todd and Carrie live on a peaceful ranch and we discuss their newly released book, “My Miracle Man – The Deaths and Life of a Seven-Organ Transplant Recipient”, written by Carrie. The book highlights Todd’s incredible story and the profound impact of love, faith, and resilience. In our Mental Health Moment we get curious about curiosity and then we honor a donor hero, Elleanor Bergeron.

Show Notes: In September of 2024, 4 women kidney donors, over 4 days, biked 444 miles to promote living organ donation. We’re excited to have Diane Mills, one of the four women behind the event, join us to share the story of how it all began and the incredible success it achieved. She’ll talk about the supportive people they encountered along the journey and how they were able to demonstrate that living donors can lead active, fulfilling lives after donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we explore the question: Are you in control? We’ll share tips on how to ease the need to control outcomes and we honor donor hero Adah McCurley.

Show Notes: On this episode, we welcome Deputy Kim Bergeron of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, an extraordinary individual who serves, protects and saves lives. Deputy Bergeron shares her inspiring story as a living kidney donor to her high school friend, and her recent experience as a stem cell donor. Discover her journey and the profound impact of giving the gift of life through living donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we offer tips finding a place of forgiveness and then, honor hero Mason Kiley.

Show Notes: We welcome Angie Mikkelson, a heart transplant recipient who’s galloping into her second chance at life. Angie shares her incredible journey from living with a lifelong heart defect to receiving the lifesaving gift of a heart at 25 years old. She shares how the generosity of her donor hero inspired her to push the boundaries of endurance, leading her to embrace an active lifestyle filled with horseback riding and running. In our Mental Health Moment, we explore the topic of “what ifs.” Hear practical tips for turning those “what ifs” into a source of motivation. And then, we honor hero Sean Smith.

Show Notes: In this episode, we explore the journey of living with kidney disease. We talk to Pesh Patel, who has transformed a life altering diagnosis into his mission. Pesh shares his personal story and how he founded A Kidney Life, which includes a podcast, Talk Kidney to Me. This podcast is dedicated to raising awareness for those living with kidney disease and it’s a resource for kidney disease warriors and their families. During our Mental Health Moment, we discuss how to build healthy habits that can make a big impact on your life and we pay tribute to a donor hero, Van Drounett, Jr.

Show Notes: Dr. Satish Nadig with Northwestern Medicine and kidney transplant recipient, John Nicholas, join us to share details about a medical breakthrough in kidney transplantation. The AWAKE Kidney Program (Accelerated Surgery Without General Anesthesia in Kidney Transplantation) is a new approach in kidney transplantation, and in John's case, the 28-year-old was discharged less than 24 hours after surgery and continues to do well. We learn how the process was developed and how it could make kidney recipients' surgical recovery more manageable. In our Mental Health Moment, we discuss how to thoughtfully evaluate emotions and then honor donor hero, Christine McKey.

Show Notes: We welcome Casana Fink, an advocate for organ and tissue donation, nonprofit founder, entrepreneur, author, Miss Tampa and at the release of this episode, the current Miss Florida, who will be competing in the Miss America competition next year. As the daughter of a liver recipient, Casana has dedicated over a decade to educate others about the importance of organ and tissue donation. At just 14 years old, she founded her nonprofit, Give to Live, which has served as a powerful platform to raise awareness. As Miss Florida, Casana is expanding her impact even further, using her platform to continue advocating for lifesaving organ and tissue donation. In our Mental Health Moment, we discuss tips for embracing change to move forward and then honor hero Kristian Darden.