Let's Talk About Life

"At this point, my filtration level is about 14%... and, at 10%, it means you are definitely in need of dialysis." Brendan Coakley

"It didn't take me long to realize this was a song that needed to be written." Dan Modlin, musician

In the book Rare Birds, a 12-year-old boy is dealing with the underlying dread that his mom will need a heart transplant to live. The family also relocates to Florida to wait […]

"It's been 15 years, and it still brings me comfort that something positive came out of it." Rochelle Ogbuji, Donor Mom

Reggie & Maria Roundtree play traditional drums to educate the community. But Reggie has a special connection to the rhythm since he is a heart transplant recipient. Listen to this […]

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and spent time with those you love. We also hope you were able to honor and share fond memories of those individuals […]

We love sharing the stories of men, women, and children receiving the gift of life and enjoying restored health. We also love to talk with donor families who have been […]

Listen to Lee and Larry Elmore share their story of watching Lee's grandmother go blind and then learning she had the same disease.

Lisa Knoll knows a lot about service. As a young girl, her mom’s transplant set her on a path of giving back. For twelve years, she’s served her country in […]

A mother’s instinct is powerful. After giving birth to her son, Shawna immediately knew something was wrong. After being released to go home, she left one hospital and took her […]

When Lifebanc staff are in public and the topic of where you work or organ donation comes up, a long involved conversation usually ensues. However, recently at a local restaurant […]

We share many stories about organ donor families and transplant recipients, but it isn’t very often that we talk about someone whose loved one died because they didn’t receive the […]

Lifebanc staff members work alongside the hospital staff at centers to ensure that donation protocols and policies are in place. As you can imagine, communication is critical. One way to […]

There are many reasons why people love this event but primarily, they participate to honor a loved one touched by donation or transplantation, or for a cause they strongly support. […]

If you've driven down west 25th street in the past few months, you'll have noticed a lot of new construction at MetroHealth. But a new hospital building isn’t the only new thing happening at Metro. […]

Lynda Corea knows the joy and gratefulness of being the mom of a transplant recipient, as well as the unimaginable pain of then being the mom of an organ donor. […]

Walter Mootz was a pizza-making radio DJ who loved music and traveling. He also was a fantastic swimmer and an Elvis impersonator. More than anything, Walter loved helping people. So […]

As the Chief of HR Services for Cleveland Clinic, Don Corpora supports the 65,000 domestic and 72,000 global caregivers employed by the Clinic. He also has served on the Lifebanc Finance Committee and is now the Treasurer of the Lifebanc […]

Imagine being only 18 and having to make a donation decision for you mom. Joey Gase, know as a car driver and owner in the Xfinity and Cup NASCAR series, […]

We can hardly believe that we have reached an epic milestone of 100 episodes of our podcast. When we started in 2019, we had no idea how vital each episode […]

We celebrate motherhood, something we hold in high regard. This episode is uplifting as it is emotional. Chuck and Rose Vinci happily expected their second child when a fatal diagnosis […]

There are many intriguing stories of transplant recipients and their journey toward health. But the path for lung transplant recipients can be long in some circumstances. Our guest, Jacqueline Weiler, […]

Recently, we were given a gift at Lifebanc. We received an email from Karen Ormiston inquiring about getting involved with Lifebanc. When we heard Karen’s story, we were impressed with […]

The majority of individuals on the national organ waitlist require a kidney transplant. The average wait time here in northeast Ohio is three to five years, with most people enduring […]

As spring approaches, we welcome wedding bells and brides choosing their extraordinary dresses. We're so excited to be a part of Jacqueline’s Bridal “Wedding Rewind” and grateful to be the beneficiary of this fundraiser. But what’s the connection between donation and wedding dresses, you ask? Listen to the Bonilla family’s story to discover how the staff at University Hospitals Medical Center and a donor hero changed their lives forever.Amber Bonilla provided an update that only four tables are available for the event. Purchase tickets before the Wedding Rewind sells out – a fun way to support the mission of Lifebanc!

Individuals from all over the country come to Cleveland seeking medical care, including organ transplantation. When you’re in a strange city, the transplant journey can be especially overwhelming. Transplant House of Cleveland provides a home-away-from-home for patients in the evaluation process for transplant, on the waiting list, and post-transplant. Annette Humberson, LISW at Transplant House, shares why it is so much more than a place to sleep. You will also hear from a guest, Katelyn Lambert, staying at Transplant House while waiting for an intestinal transplant.

For Chris Klug, skateboarding and snowboarding were a way of life and something he loved since he was young. He quickly discovered that he excelled at the new sport of competitive snowboarding. Chris won eleven National Champion titles, five world cup championships and realized every athlete’s dream when he participated in the 1998 Olympics! You can understand why, then, Chris could hardly believe his ears when the doctors at his routine physical explained that he had a liver disease and would eventually need a transplant. Enjoy an engaging conversation with this three-Olympian as he shares his journey of competing after a liver transplant, winning a bronze medal, and meeting his donor’s family the next day.

At only 15 years old, Candice Monroe was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and placed on the heart transplant waiting list. Her condition was dire as she waited at the Cleveland Clinic.  Chuck Roberts and his family lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a few hundred miles away. When he received devasting news that his 15-year-old daughter, Alicia, had a tragic accident, Chuck’s other daughter shared that Alicia had wanted to be an organ donor. Chuck felt relief knowing that Alicia had made this important decision and that something good would come out of this tragedy.Now 20 years later, Candice and Chuck reminisce about meeting each other and how the gift of life has kept the spirit of Alicia alive.

This week, host Colleen Gerber visits with one of our newer staff members, Dena Balk, Bereavement Coordinator & Counselor. Dena had big shoes to fill when she began at Lifebanc last fall, but she's a perfect fit, and the new skills she brings are enhancing services to donor families. Dena also shares her very personal connection to our mission and why she is driven to give back and serve our families. You won’t want to miss a word of her story!

Join host Colleen Gerber for the last podcast of the year as she revisits memorable conversations and special guests from 2021. We look forward to 2022 and continuing to save lives is the reason for a third season of Let's Talk About Life, although some changes will occur, as announced in this episode.

Do you know that, according to the CDC, blinding eye diseases affect 80 million Americans? The economic impact of major vision problems among U.S. adults 40 years and older is more than $145 billion each year. Northeast Ohio is rich with institutions that diligently work to improve lives at home and abroad. Listen to a fascinating conversation with Dr. Onkar Sawant, Director of the Eversight Center for Vision and Eye Banking Research, as he shares the work of the center and the ground-breaking research taking place. 

This year, Lifebanc has been celebrating 35 years of saving and healing lives. If we think about that for a moment, that means hundreds of thousands of lives have been touched by the work of Lifebanc. It's amazing to look back and stand in awe of all we've accomplished. However, as much fun that would be, to remain successful in our mission, Lifebanc must be focused on year 36 and beyond. re through the legacy of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Lifebanc CEO Gordon Bowen shares some of the challenges and opportunities we face in the coming year, along with an update about the Gift of Life Walk & Run, Over the Edge. and the annual Donor Memorial Service.

Are you ready to be part of a team that saves lives every day? Jodi Baldwin, Lifebanc Human Resource Generalist,joins the podcast to talk about the advantages of being a Lifebanc staff member. She also explains our Top Performer Philosophy that helps us identify individuals who will positively impact the mission as a Lifebanc team member. Lastly, Jodi shares the current job openings available at Lifebanc.

A continuation of the conversation with Michael Lynn, a professional musician and liver transplant recipient. Michael shares what happened when he posted on his Facebook page that he was celebrating the ninth anniversary of his transplant. A colleague at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Robert Walters, and his 11-year-old daughter Saya Walters join the conversation explaining why organ donation is now meaningful to their family.

Michael Lynn is a highly accomplished musician. He is an expert in flute and recorder, a professor at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a devotee of baroque music. He has played with many symphonies and ensembles, including for the inaugural luncheons of both Presidents Obama and Trump. In addition to teaching at the Conservatory, Michael served for a time as the associate dean. However, all that stopped when he was told he would need a liver transplant to live. Listen as Michael chronicles his journey and the impact of liver disease on his life and career. You'll want to tune in for next week's episode, when we'll continue Michael's story and learn how it influenced a colleague, Robert, and his 11-year-old daughter to take action.

The holidays are usually viewed as a time of happiness and rejoicing, but for some people, it can be a period of painful reflection, sadness, anxiety, and depression. Feelings of sadness that last throughout the holiday season, usually from November through December, are often referred to as the holiday blues. But for someone who has lost a loved one, this time period can be more than the holiday blues. With the available vaccines, the covid restriction aren't as stringent this year, and people are looking forward to gathering together for the holidays.  However, if there has been a loss of a loved one, there is a potential for very dark holiday season. How does one cope with loss during a time of celebration.  Elissa Berman, the Sr. Bereavement Services Counselor for Lifebanc provides practical advice on how to cope with grief through the holidays.

The first successful cornea transplant was performed in 1945 by Dr. Charles I. Thomson at University Hospitals, but it wasn't until 1958 that Cleveland established a local eye bank. Northeast Ohio has a rich history of service and innovation in supporting those who experience issues with sight. At the center of the eye healthcare community has been the Cleveland Eye Bank Foundation. Once known as the Cleveland Eye Bank, this group is instrumental in ground-breaking achievements that improve and restoresight for thousands of people in northeast Ohio and across the country. The Cleveland Eye Bank Foundation is celebrating 63 years of service to enable sight through vision research funding, along with professional and community education. Listen as Executive Director Debbie May Johnson discusses their historical accomplishments, exciting future, and mission to fund research projects to accelerate cures for some of the most critical eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma

It goes without saying that things mean more to us when they hit close to home – and that is precisely the experience that the host of Let's Talk About Life, Colleen Gerber had earlier this year. Listeners to the podcast know that Colleen is a kidney transplant recipient – twice. Because of her own experience, she has a passion and deep respect for organ, eye, and tissue donors and understands how they change lives with their gifts. Besides the two kidney donors that have saved her life, the is another extraordinary donor that she holds in high esteem in her heart. That is the cornea donor who gave her husband, Ernie, the gift of sight. Earlier this year, Ernie Gerber underwent a cornea transplant after suffering from an eye disease since he was in his teens. The procedure changed his eyesight in one day, and now that he is several months post-transplant, Colleen invited him on the podcast to share the journey with you.

Roy Allen Bumpers first came to know Lifebanc when he participated in the Lifebanc Stepping For Life shows. Roy was part of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and helped make that event a success. Although Roy knew at the time that he had kidney disease, he lived his life and tried to maintain good health. That worked for years, until an unexpected trip to the hospital revealed he would need to begin dialysis treatments immediately.We continue our conversation with Roy while he receives a dialysis treatment at the Centers for Dialysis Care in Shaker Heights. Listen as he shares some of the obstacles he overcame and what his hopes are for the future.

Roy-Allen Bumpers was first introduced to organ donation and Lifebanc through participating in the Stepping for Life show. As a member of Alphi Kappa Psi, he and his fraternity brothers work hard to help educate college students and their families about the need for more registered organ donors. Roy had a personal stake in the events because he had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. We reconnected with Roy while he was undergoing a dialysis treatment at the Centers for Dialysis Carein Shaker Heights. Listen to part 1 of our candid conversation as Roy talks about being a Lifebanc advocate and his current health challenge.

It sounds like the beginning of a joke: two guys walk in to a bar. However, the conversation that took place was no joke and forever changed the lives of Mark Scotch and Hugh Smith. After talking about general topics like sports, politics, and the weather, Mark was surprised when Hugh got up to leave. Mark kidded him, saying it was still early enough in the day to enjoy another beer, but Hugh explained he needed to get home to begin a dialysis routine. Although Hugh never brought up living kidney donation, Mark thought that it was something he could do. As Mark began researching living donation, he was shocked to learn about the critical need for kidney transplants. He felt more could be done to raise awareness for this need, and he wanted to give an example of life after living donation. Listen as Mark shares his unique experience riding his bike on the Organ Trail.

In the darkest moments of crisis and trauma, Lifebanc Family Support Liaisons sit with families in their pain and offer the opportunity to leave a legacy of life. These interactions are intense and emotional and often create a bond between Lifebanc and the donor family.Two women, Kelly Armstead-Dickerson (Lifebanc Family Support Specialist) and Jaylene Roberts (donor mom) discuss their experience when Jaylene's son became a donor hero at the age of 22 and when they met again months later.

We know thousands of Ohioans have registered their donation decision through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.The Ohio Donor Registry is managed by the state of Ohio through the BMVs and each agency ask citizens if they would like to give the gift of life. September is National BMV Appreciation month, and a time to thank our partners for helping to save lives. It is not an exaggeration to recognize the Bureau of Motor Vehicles as a vital partner in the mission of saving and healing lives along with Lifebanc. We do not take that for granted and thank all BMV staff members. But for one staff member, Jim Stinson s BMV field representative the mission became personal when he became a living kidney donor to his brother, Jerry Stinson a kidney transplant recipient. The brothers shared their experience and why donation is something we all should consider.  

Colleen Flynn Goss knows what a challenge looks like and has remarkably overcome many in her life time with style and grace. Being a young woman in her teens, Colleen noticed her vision was changing and it was discovered that she had a disease that affected her eyesight. It use her significant visual impairment. Although her vision was deteriorating, Colleen didn't let that deter her from her education and became an attorney and is now an intellectual lawyer, advising domestic and international clients on all aspects of trademark law. Colleen also went on to raise a family and was able to be there when her sister, Karen needed her the most.

End of Life advance directive and preplanning may be uncomfortable to think about or discuss. Although it may be a topic that is easier to avoid, making those decisions for yourself will help your loved ones at a time when they are in the midst of grief and a highly emotional period. In tragic circumstances - your family is in the grips of making many end-of-life decisions and arrangements. The act of preplanning final arrangements and being a registered donor, you've given your loved ones the gift of peace of mind because they know your wishes.

Marva was a young women when she came to work at Lifebanc. Although she didn't have a personal connection to the mission, she loved being part of saving lives. Little did she know that, many years later, her husband would be one of the lives saved by a donor hero when he received a heart transplant. Listen in as Deacon Kenneth and Marva Smith share their story about how Lifebanc's mission became deeply personal for them.

A group of geniuses from the Lifebanc Quality Services department created a process called the Whiteboard Walk About to communicate how each department, and ultimately each staff member - plays a key role in the success of Lifebanc and how we are all connected. Lifebanc, and all recovery agencies are highly regulated and to ensure that we not only know and follow regulatory procedures, the Lifebanc Quality Service departments provides training, spearheads projects, and overall supports Lifebanc staff so we meet and exceed the expectations of our mission. The Whiteboard project was created to engage and enlighten staff on their role and educate them on what other department teams are doing as well.

Do you know that 60% of those on the national waiting list are either, African Americans, Hisapanic/Latino, Asian Pacific Islanders or American Indian/Alaska Natives. But these groups make up less 50% of those who receive transplants. Also, these groups are less likely to register as OET donors. Linda D. Kimble, Executive Director of Cleveland MOTTEP discusses this important issue and what is being done to save the lives of those on the waiting list.

No one could imagine how life would carry on when four teenagers from Brunswick, Ohio were killed in a car crash, a day before their high school graduation. Kevin Fox, one of the teens in the car, made the decision two years prior to the accident to be a registered donor. Kevin's sister, Colleen Fox talks about her brother and why they celebrate him and the lives he saved through organ donation at the Gift of Life Walk & Run each year.

For 35 years, Lifebanc has coordinate thousands of letters and cards sent to and from donor families and recipients wanting to connect. At the heart of this process is Mary LaRiccia, Bereavement Services Coordinator and Elissa Berman, Sr. Bereavement Services Counselor.  Listen as they discuss the many aspects of communicating and what it takes to connect families touched by donation or transplantation.

Part two of our conversation with  longtime Cleveland TV personality, Jan Jones.  As we learned last week,Dr. Sheldon Artz was an amazing man and his transplant story was certainly dramatic and unique. After his heart transplant, Jan and Shelly shared 15 added years together.  During those years, becoming Lifebanc ambassadors and advocating for organ donation became a passion for them. Even after Shelly sadly passed away, Jan remained dedicated to Lifebanc and the cause of organ donation. So much so, she and her family are taking their support to a whole new level!