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  • EP 105: 'El mejor regalo de la vida

    EP 105: 'El mejor regalo de la vida
    2024/12/24

    LifeCenter ahora es Network For Hope! (LifeCenter now is Network For Hope!) This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Julie Luebbers on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation.

    Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/
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    10 分
  • EP104: A Transplant Surgeon’s Journey To Help Others, with Dr Madison Cuffy

    EP104: A Transplant Surgeon’s Journey To Help Others, with Dr Madison Cuffy
    2024/12/17

    A Transplant Surgeon’s Journey To Help Others, with Dr Madison Cuffy

    During this episode of This Thing Called Life podcast, host Andi Johnson speaks with Dr. Madison Cuffy, an Associate Professor at UC Health. Dr. Cuffy has built trust-filled relationships with his transplant patients throughout the years and loves nothing more than to see them live their lives to the fullest after getting their transplant.

    Episode Highlights:

    • Dr. Cuffy started his medical journey back in 2002 which led to a multi-organ transplant fellowship at New York Presbyterian.
    • Growing up in Brooklyn, Dr. Cuffy was first introduced to Cincinnati by Talib Kweli and Hi Tek.
    • As a 14-year-old, Dr. Cuffy became interested in medicine while volunteering in a hospital cleaning instruments.
    • Even to this day, no one in Dr. Cuffy’s family has experience in medicine, nor any clue what a transplant surgeon does.
    • Dr. Cuffy was born in the Caribbean and grew up with his great aunt in New York.
    • One of the most common misconceptions surrounding organ donation is that the medical community will let you die.
    • After being in transplant and seeing how one can help create life during a time of despair, Dr. Cuffy became an organ donor.
    • The medical community is not out to harm organ donors in order to harvest their organs, contrary to popular belief.
    • According to the statistics, on average, 22 people die every day waiting on an organ transplant.
    • While most of his focus is on kidney transplants, Dr. Cuffy does work with all transplant organs.
    • There is an access problem for people who need a kidney transplant and are on dialysis.
    • Dr. Cuffy facilitates living kidney donation as the best option to treat end-stage renal disease.
    • Andi has noticed that people of color tend to shy away from sharing their donation needs with other people.
    • Socioeconomic issues and disadvantages can make it more difficult for certain patients to share their stories.
    • People who don’t want to share their stories need a donor champion to do it for them.
    • There are different forms of literacy, so Dr. Cuffy makes sure his patients know that there is no stupid question.
    • It’s important for patients to speak up about their questions to their doctor so that they don’t get misinformation from another source.
    • If your physician is too busy to answer your questions now or in the future, you may need to find a different provider.
    • Dr. Cuffy feels rewarded by his job when he sees his patients experiencing life after their transplant.
    • His grandmother’s advice was “Always be yourself”, even when things get tough, this message helps Dr Cuffy get through hard days.
    • Raised without his parents in Brooklyn, Dr. Cuffy knows first hand that you can do anything you set your mind to.
    • Dr. Cuffy has always had an extra gear that has allowed him to outwork everyone around him.
    • When he goes back to Brooklyn now, Dr. Cuffy gets a different kind of respect from the people he grew up with.
    • Dr. Cuffy thoroughly enjoys going to J. Alexanders in Cincinnati because of the sheer amount of professional African Americans that go there.

    3 Key Points:

    1. While volunteering at a hospital with the hopes of staying off the streets as a 15-year-old boy, Dr. Cuffy had the opportunity to watch a kidney transplant up close, and that’s how he chose the transplant route.
    2. Unlike in other cities that have multiple transplant programs with different surgeons, Cincinnati has a single transplant program where the doctors act as one unit.
    3. Living donor kidneys last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, recipients don’t have to wait on a list to get one, and the quality is usually very good.

    Resources:

    https://www.networkforhope.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/

    https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO

    https://getoffthelist.org/

    https://www.uchealth.com/en/transplant

    Dr Madison Cuffy
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    48 分
  • EP 103: Tis The Season Of Giving

    EP 103: Tis The Season Of Giving
    2024/12/13

    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, eye 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 from 100.3 FM Cincy's R&B station in Cincinnati.

    Resources

    https://getoffthelist.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/

    https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
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    5 分
  • EP 102: How Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation Helps The Sick and Injured In Our Community

    EP 102: How Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation Helps The Sick and Injured In Our Community
    2024/11/27

    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 from 100.3 FM Cincy's R&B station in Cincinnati.

    Resources

    https://getoffthelist.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/

    https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO

    https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope.

    https://aopo.org/
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    6 分
  • EP 101: Heartfelt Care: Dr Bonomo Explains The Vision For A Holistic Donor Care Unit Within The New UCMC ICU

    EP 101: Heartfelt Care: Dr Bonomo Explains The Vision For A Holistic Donor Care Unit Within The New UCMC ICU
    2024/11/19
    Welcome to today’s episode of This Thing Called Life, where we delve into the ever-evolving care plan of organ, eye, and tissue donation. In this episode, we’re joined by Andi Johnson and Dr. Jordan Bonomo to explore a key recommendation from the 2021 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report aimed at transforming organ donation and transplantation practices to create a more equitable system. Dr. Bonomo shares insights into a groundbreaking initiative—the establishment of a donor care unit within UCMC’s new Flex ICU. This innovative, first-of-its-kind model is designed to improve organ donation outcomes by providing comprehensive, compassionate care to both donors and their families. Tune in for this important conversation on enhancing the donor experience and advancing the future of organ donation. Episode Highlights: Introducing Dr. Jordan Bonomo. He is a physician at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He's the Medical Director of the flex ICU and a professor of Emergency Medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, and neurocritical care. He is also the attending physician for anesthesia, critical care, and ECMO, and he's the medical director for donor management, for Network For Hope, formerly Life Center. Dr. Bonomo explains the long-term development of the Flex ICU, emphasizing its multifaceted purpose to serve critically ill patients and enhance organ donation capacity.The Flex ICU aims to provide specialized care for organ donors, improving the yield and survival rate of donated organs.Specialized units can focus on the needs of the donor from a physiological standpoint and the needs of the family from an emotional standpoint. This aims to provide a much more synchronized environment and holistic care for the families and adhere to the donor wishes.All the staff are fully trained and they're vetted and vested at the same time in the process of donation. The purpose is to have the best donor care unit available anywhere in the country.The unit is staffed 24/7 by dedicated teams to support the mission of Network for Hope.The unit is limited to donors who have been declared dead by neurologic criteria. Note that in the month of October, the first month of the launch of Flex ICU, there were zero patients declared brain dead in the region.Dr. Bonomo explains the intentional design of the unit to accommodate donor families, offering them the option to be with their loved ones or to step back as needed.The Flex ICU aims to respect the wishes of donors and families, facilitating their involvement in the donation process.Dr. Bonomo discusses the potential impact of the Flex ICU on organ donationThe goal is to optimize the process for donors, families, and organ recipients, balancing the need for timely transplantation with the potential for increased donation.Andi adds that the DCU, which is housed within the flex ICU, has been discussed as a key part of the flex ICU with providers, nurses, and physicians who will be working in this unit.The team is committed to doing right by donors, recognizing the privilege and obligation that comes with their role.The Flex ICU has attracted dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving organ donation and transplantation.The process of establishing the unit has been lengthy, involving multiple stakeholders and legal considerations. He shares that this is an organ procurement organization initiative that really is somewhat independent of the healthcare system.The belief that donation can bring healing and good from tragedy has been a driving force for Dr. Bonomo. Dr. Bonomo has a strong foundation in bioethics, having earned his undergraduate degree in the field. Throughout his career, organ donation has been a central focus of his work in biomedical ethics.Dr. Bonomo invites listeners to ask questions and seek education about the organ donation process.The importance of accurate information and understanding the process is important for effective collaboration and support. 3 Key Points: Dr. Bonomo explains the long-term development of the Flex ICU, emphasizing its multifaceted purpose to serve critically ill patients and enhance organ donation capacity. The Flex ICU aims to provide specialized care for organ donors, improving the yield and survival rate of donated organs.The unit is limited to donors who have been declared dead by neurologic criteria. So brain dead donors, and brain dead vernacular term death by neurologic criteria. Dr. Bonomo explains the intentional design of the unit to accommodate donor families, offering them the option to be with their loved ones or to step back as needed.The Flex ICU has attracted dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving organ donation and transplantation. The team is committed to doing right by donors, recognizing the privilege and obligation that comes with their role. Tweetable Quotes: “Dr shutter explained to me that we do our best to ...
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    29 分
  • EP 100: Network For Hope Community Breakfast - An Annual Event Celebrating Those Impacted By, And Community Advocates For, Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation

    EP 100: Network For Hope Community Breakfast - An Annual Event Celebrating Those Impacted By, And Community Advocates For, Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation
    2024/11/12

    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 Lincoln Ware from WDBZ the Buzz of Cincinnati talk station.

    Resources:

    https://getoffthelist.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/

    https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO

    https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope.

    https://aopo.org/
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    5 分
  • EP 99: Community Heroes - Gratitude From Those Affected By Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation

    EP 99: Community Heroes - Gratitude From Those Affected By Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation
    2024/11/05

    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, Tissue, and Eye donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation.

    Resources:

    https://getoffthelist.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/

    https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO

    https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope.

    https://aopo.org/
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    8 分
  • EP 98: Breath of Hope: Navigating the double lung transplant journey

    EP 98: Breath of Hope: Navigating the double lung transplant journey
    2024/10/29
    Welcome to today’s episode of This Thing Called Life, where we explore the evolving landscape of organ, tissue, and eye donation. Join us as we chat with Andi Johnson, featuring Jennie Wright, a double lung transplant recipient, and her daughter, Siri Imanin. Jennie, diagnosed with sarcoidosis and pulmonary hypertension, waited a year to be listed for a transplant and another two years to receive the lungs. She recounts the challenges, including antibiotic-resistant infections and the emotional toll on her family. Siri shares how her mother's journey influenced her music and activism, emphasizing the importance of organ donation education in the Black community. They discuss the need for proactive health awareness and the impact of supportive networks on their recovery. Episode Highlights: Andi Johnson introduces the mother-daughter duo Jennie Wright and Siri Imani, and asks Jennie to share her transplant journeyJennie shared that she had sarcoidosis, and as a result, her lungs were severely damaged, which caused pulmonary hypertension. So before the donation, she had a backpack that had oxygen and a fanny pack that had a heart pump.It took a year to get Jennie listed and two years before she got her transplantJennie recounts the emotional and physical challenges, including contracting antibiotic-resistant infections and the decision to postpone the transplant due to her condition.Andi asks about the support journey for both mother and daughterSiri, Jennie’s daughter answers that she was happy once everything was settled because she recalls the long period where her mother’s life felt limited and the journey they had to go through in organ donation.Andi asks Siri, who is an artist, creator, activist, & cultivator, how the journey influences her music and the work that she does from a creative standpoint.Siri answers that it influenced everything and that she grabs inspiration from her mother and grandmother in every way. Siri shares that when they first got the diagnosis, she documented and made music about it.Andi asks Siri to share her favorite memory with her grandmotherAndi asks what they would like to share with others, particularly in the black community, after just living through this experience.Siri shares her personal journey of overcoming misinformation and distrust, emphasizing the need for education and awareness.Andi questions what they would like to say to their donor family.Jennie expresses her deep gratitude to the donor family for their selflessness and the opportunity to continue living.Jennie and Siri discuss the activities and experiences they can now enjoy, such as walking and attending events. 3 Key Points: Jennie shared that she had sarcoidosis, and as a result, her lungs were severely damaged, which caused pulmonary hypertension. So before the donation, she had a backpack that had oxygen and a fanny pack that had a heart pump. It took a year to get Jennie listed and two years before she got her transplant because there were certain conditions to be met for her to get the transplant.Siri, Jennie’s daughter recalls the long period where her mother’s life felt limited and the journey they had to go through in organ donation. Siri is also an artist, creator, activist, & cultivator, and she found inspiration in her mother’s journey.Siri shares her personal journey of overcoming misinformation and distrust, emphasizing the need for education and awareness. The conversation touches on the historical context of distrust in the medical system within the Black community and the importance of updating that narrative. Tweetable Quotes: “...with that waiting process, the stars have to be perfectly aligned, because you have to be, to be at the top of the list, you got to be the sickest of the sick, right? But you can't be too sick.” - Andi Johnson“My faith helped to sustain me, and I feel like God showed me a moment on the other side of this. And I just kind of held on to that.” - Jennie Wright“I think a lot of our work with people experiencing homelessness just came from the understanding early that life could take you anywhere, no matter what type of person you are, no matter where you come from, you can place where you just need people.” - Siri Imani“I was always planning on making sure, like, people knew who my mama was, people knew who my grandma was, and really remember because they made it clear who they were in their lifetimes.” - Siri Imani Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/
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    41 分