#BeTheGift Connections
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© Tennessee Donor Services
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#BeTheGift Connections is a series of monthly programs designed to inform and connect the public to lifesaving stories of organ donation and transplantation. Episodes feature real-life conversations with donor hero families, living donors, transplant recipients, and healthcare professionals directly involved in the recovery and transplant of organs/tissues. Each episode tackles a specific aspect of donation and the challenges facing those waiting for their lifesaving gift. We hope these episodes will inform and inspire others to be the gift and save lives by registering at BeTheGiftToday.com.
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February is Heart Month and it’s the perfect time to talk about the Gift of Life. On this #BeTheGift Connections: “Stories from the Heart,” we have two special stories to share with you. Our first story truly illustrates the circle of life. We talk to two mothers…a donor hero’s mother from Tennessee and a recipient mother from Chicago, brought together because of a heart transplant. In our second story, we hear from an inspiring young woman who for years thought that a heart transplant was not an option for her.
Our Tennessee County Clerks are key partners in helping Tennessee Donor Services save and improve lives. In the January #BeTheGift Connections: “Connecting with our Clerks,” several county clerks share why increasing donor awareness is important to them. Grainger County Clerk Angie Lamb’s husband’s life was saved through a liver transplant. A good friend of Loudon County Clerk Riley Wampler is a double cornea recipient. Wayne County Clerk Stan Horton’s brother-in-law is leading a full life because of a heart transplant. In this episode, we talk to the clerks and with the recipients. Register today to #BeTheGift as an organ and tissue donor at BeTheGiftToday.com.
Imagine giving a priceless gift that costs nothing — a gift that not only changes lives but can save them. That’s the gift of organ and tissue donation. And what better time to talk about it than during the season of giving. On the December #BeTheGift Connections: “A Season of Giving,” we share two special stories of giving and the impact it has on others. In this month’s program, Lisa Rousseau shares the story of her daughter Jessie Starnes, a 9-year-old, who left a lasting legacy of giving in her community and beyond. Amy Dodd, a kidney recipient and Kristi Jones, her living donor, share their story of friendship and donation. In addition, we talk about holiday traditions and the gift of life with Marth Rucker, a hospital chaplain with Ascension Saint Thomas Health.
In October’s #BeTheGift Connections we learn about the importance of tissue donation. More than 2.5 million people receive a tissue transplant each year to repair injuries and defects, restore sight and improve or restore mobility. Sometimes a tissue transplant can even save a life. We also learn about the many tissues that can be donated and how they are used. In addition, an orthopedic surgeon discusses how donated tissue is frequently used to repair orthopedic and sports related injuries.
In September's #BeTheGift Connections, we celebrate our partners at the Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS). September is National DMV Appreciation Month. We talk about the successful partnership between Tennessee Donor Services and the TDOS Driver Services Centers. Plus we have personal stories from Driver Service Center staff who share their connections to transplant recipients. It’s an opportunity to recognize and thank our Driver License partners for their commitment to asking customers if they would like to register to #BeTheGift as an organ and tissue donor. They are the people on the front lines and play a vital role in saving and healing lives. Through their efforts over the past years, millions of Tennesseans have made the decision to join the Tennessee Donor Registry.
August's second episode of #BeTheGift Connections continued our focus on National Minority Donor Awareness Month. The discussion examines the inequities affecting communities of color in healthcare, donation and transplantation. We also talk with two physicians about the challenges relating to these disparities and creating greater awareness and acceptance of organ and tissue donation. In addition, a donor family member and an organ recipient join us to share their moving stories. Register to be an organ and tissue donor at BeTheGiftToday.com.
Did you know nearly 60% of patients on the national transplant waiting list are from multicultural communities? In our August #BeTheGift Connections we focus on National Minority Donor Awareness Month. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation within minority communities. This first program, in a series of three, highlights the personal stories of five people of color touched by donation and transplantation. Register to be an organ and tissue donor at BeTheGiftToday.com.
Nationally, almost 80,000 patients last year received a cornea transplant. In the July edition of #BeTheGift Connections: “The Marvelous Gift of Sight,” Dr. Erich Groos, Associate Medical Director for Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank and Dr. Deborah DiStefano walk you through how donor tissue gives hope to many who are blind or visually impaired. In addition, we will explore the important role of an eye bank and talk with two cornea recipients who have received the Gift of Sight. Register to be an organ and tissue donor at BeTheGiftToday.com.
In the June #BeTheGift Connections: “Being Dad,” we recognize Father’s Day and the influence that fathers have on their children, we talk with three dads who are organ recipients. They share how the gift of life has enabled them to play an active role in their children’s lives. Plus, they relate how being a recipient has impacted how they view their role as a father. Register to be an organ and tissue donor at BeTheGiftToday.com.
In the May #BeTheGift Connections: "Birth Tissue: A Mother's Gift," we learn about a living tissue donation that many are not familiar with… Birth Tissue. According to the American Association of Tissue Banks, there is an increasing demand for this type of tissue because of its versatility and numerous clinical applications. Today expectant mothers can choose to donate their placenta after the delivery of their baby, thereby helping as many as 100 patients live a better life. In this #BeTheGift Connections, we learn about the Tennessee Donor Services Birth Tissue Program and talk to two mothers who made the decision to donate. We also hear from a man whose sight was saved through a birth tissue transplant.
On the April #BeTheGift Connections: "Saving Young Lives,” we highlight April being Donate Life Month and the week of April 25th being designated National Pediatric Transplant Week. We have two inspiring stories about remarkable young people. One is a story of Kainen Boring, a donor hero, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 17. His family knew he had talked about being an organ donor and it was important to them to follow his wishes. The second story is one of a family’s love for one another. Liza Cagle was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition when she was just months old. The only option was a liver transplant. Because of the gift of life, Liza is a healthy teenager today. Her cousin volunteered to be her living donor and today they share a special bond. Register to be an organ and tissue donor at BeTheGiftToday.com.
In the March #BeTheGift Connections: "The Miracle of Living Donation," we learn about living organ donation through two special living donor stories. In addition, we have a conversation on the advances in this area of transplantation with a transplant surgeon. Our guests include Finley, a three-year-old kidney recipient, Dr. Alan Koffron, Surgical Director for the Erlanger Health System Kidney Transplant Center in Chattanooga, and living kidney donor Elise who donated a kidney to Crystal, her mom.
Thanks to the generosity of living donors, close to 6,000 lives were saved in 2020. More than 85% of patients on the transplant waiting list need a kidney. Living donation came about because of the critical shortage of organs.
In recognition of National Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, we have a couple of special stories on February's #BeTheGift Connections. Marcia Cunningham, a heart recipient, shares her transplant journey of waiting for and receiving a new heart. Dr. Jonathan Menachem, a transplant cardiologist with Vanderbilt Health Transplant Center discusses the strides that are being made in the field of heart transplants, resulting in more lives being saved. Plus, Bonnie Chakravorty and Doug Turley, a couple who met and fell in love while they were both sick and in need of a transplant join us to share their transplant and romance journey. Register as an organ and tissue donor at BeTheGiftToday.com.
The January 2022 #BeTheGift Connections: “New Year, New Life” features two organ recipients, both of whom are celebrating their one-year transplant anniversary this month! They share their transplant experience and what this second chance means to them. Register to be an organ and tissue donor at BeTheGiftToday.com.
We're celebrating the Season of Giving with heartwarming stories of hope, resilience and the gift of life on #BeTheGift Connections! ✨On this segment, we'll chat with Everett Drewes, a five and a half year old kidney recipient, and his parents, Matthew and Margaret, about the journey that led to the new life of "Everett 2.0." 💙💚
We're wrapping up our series of programs related to cornea donation in honor of Eye Donation Month on #BeTheGift Connections!On our final segment, we'll go behind the scenes of corneal recovery and transplantation with two special guests from Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank (SDSEB), featuring:💙 Dr. Jennifer Li, SDSEB Medical Director and Corneal Surgeon💚 Alyssa Hernandez, SDSEB Director of Marketing and Development
We're continuing our series of programs related to cornea donation and transplantation in honor of Eye Donation Month on #BeTheGift Connections!On this segment, we'll hear from Christine Lichti, a UC Davis Health Pediatric Critical Care Nurse and cornea recipient, as she shares how her cornea transplant transformed her outlook on life - in more ways than one!
In honor of Eye Donation Month, we're featuring a series of programs related to cornea donation and transplantation on #BeTheGift Connections!On this segment, we'll be joined by Ashley Pensis, a donor mother who made the selfless decision to allow her son, Wyatt, to continue seeing the world as a cornea donor hero.
We're wrapping up National Liver Awareness Month with our final liver transplant story on #BeTheGift Connections!Christian Scherba's daughter, Lucy, was born with a congenital liver disease that resulted in years of doctor visits, surgeries and hospital stays.Christian joins us on this segment to take us through Lucy's transplant journey and how the experience strengthened their family.
It's time for our second liver transplant story in honor of National Liver Awareness Month on #BeTheGift Connections!Jake Ragland dealt with chronic liver disease for most of his life, but one single, selfless act changed everything. He joins us to share his transplant journey and the opportunities he's experienced thanks to the gift of life.
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