Gift of Life

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The Organ Transplant Podcast. Gift of Life is Hosted by BJ Odom, a double transplant recipient who received a life-saving heart in 2003 and a kidney in 2015. BJ knows firsthand the power of organ donation. After receiving a heart transplant and facing the challenges of anti-rejection medication, he needed a second transplant – a kidney. Now, BJ shares his inspiring journey and those of others in the organ transplant world. Hear from those in the medical field, transplant recipients, donor families, and more, all to raise awareness about the lifesaving gift of organ donation.

  1. 2d ago

    Gift of Life 116 The Organ Transplant Podcast

    In this unforgettable episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet a true “unicorn” in the world of living organ donation. Kristie Sue’s journey began with a husband born with only one kidney, making organ donation a cause already close to her heart. But with love, faith, and encouragement from her family, she made a life-changing decision that few people ever consider.   She donated one of her kidneys… to a complete stranger.   What she experienced afterward was something impossible to describe fully—the overwhelming feeling of purpose, gratitude, and knowing she had helped save someone’s life. That experience impacted her so deeply that years later, she made another incredible decision.   She became a living donor again.   This time, donating a portion of her liver to another stranger in desperate need of hope and a second chance.   Kristie Sue’s story is one of extraordinary compassion, unwavering faith, and the incredible power of giving. It’s a reminder that even in a world filled with challenges, there are still people willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for someone they may never meet.   This episode will inspire you, move you, and remind you what humanity looks like at its very best.   Let’s Stay Connected:   Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com    Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast    Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.   BJ Odom’s bookMore Parts Than A Chicken Nugget… Grab your copy today: Available on Amazon in paperback & eBook!   If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:   Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform.Share this episode with family and friends.   Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.   Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

  2. Jul 7

    Gift of Life 115 The Organ Transplant Podcast

    This week on Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Kathy Snead. In 2009, Kathy was diagnosed with HCM, a diagnosis that would slowly change the course of her life. Year after year, her health challenges continued to grow more serious. Doctors warned her that one day she may need a liver transplant, but nothing could prepare her or her family for how quickly that day would come.   In 2024, Kathy’s journey took a dramatic turn when she suddenly needed an emergency liver transplant.   Through fear, uncertainty, setbacks, and emotional moments, Kathy leaned on faith, love, and the unwavering support of her husband who stood beside her every step of the way. Together they faced the unknown while holding onto hope and believing that God still had a purpose for Kathy’s life.   In this powerful and emotional episode, Kathy shares the reality of living with chronic illness, the terrifying moments leading up to transplant, the miracle of organ donation, and the gratitude she now carries every single day.   Her story is one of perseverance, faith, second chances, and a reminder that miracles still happen.   Let’s Stay Connected:   Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com    Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast    Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.   BJ Odom’s bookMore Parts Than A Chicken Nugget… Grab your copy today: Available on Amazon in paperback & eBook!   If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:   Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform.Share this episode with family and friends. Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.   Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

  3. Jun 30

    Gift of Life 114 The Organ Transplant Podcast

    This week on Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Steven Gregory, a musician whose life was built around faith, family, and music alongside his wife. Like so many transplant journeys, Steven’s story began with what seemed like a normal life… until everything suddenly changed.In his mid-50s, Steven learned he was suffering from cardiomyopathy, a diagnosis that would turn his world upside down. What followed was a difficult and emotional battle that led to a hospital stay lasting four and a half months. During that time, Steven spent nearly 100 days connected to a balloon pump while waiting and praying for the gift that could save his life.Through every setback, every uncertain day, and every difficult moment, Steven says his faith carried him through.Then came the call that changed everything — a life-saving heart transplant.In this powerful and emotional episode, Steven shares:• His life before heart failure changed everything• The shocking diagnosis of cardiomyopathy• What it was like spending months hospitalized waiting for hope• The physical and emotional challenges of living on a balloon pump• How faith, prayer, and family helped him keep going• The moment he received the call for his new heart• His gratitude for organ donation and the second chance he’s been givenToday, Steven is slowly getting back to normal life, returning to the music he loves, and embracing each day with gratitude and renewed purpose.This episode is a reminder that even during life’s darkest moments, hope, faith, and the gift of organ donation can bring healing and new beginnings.Let’s Stay Connected:Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.BJ Odom’s bookMore Parts Than A Chicken Nugget… Grab your copy today: Available on Amazon in paperback & eBook!If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platforms.Share this episode with family and friends. Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings. Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

  4. Jun 23

    Gift of Life 113 The Organ Transplant Podcast

    This week on Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Sonja Dalbey, whose journey began the day she was born.   Diagnosed as a “blue baby,” Sonja faced serious heart challenges from the very beginning of her life. But as she grew older, doctors discovered her condition was far more complicated than anyone first realized. During a heart catheterization in third grade, her family learned that her heart problems went much deeper than expected.   What followed was a lifetime filled with uncertainty, surgeries, setbacks, resilience, and hope.   Through every up and down, Sonja continued fighting forward with courage and faith. Years later, after enduring a lifetime of heart complications, she reached the point where a heart transplant became her only option for survival.   In this emotional and inspiring episode, Sonja shares:   • What it was like growing up as a child with congenital heart disease• Discovering the seriousness of her condition at a young age• The surgeries and medical challenges she faced throughout life• The difficult road that eventually led to heart transplant• The gratitude she carries for her donor and second chance at life• The overwhelming blessing of living long enough to see her grandchild born   Sonja’s story is a powerful reminder of perseverance, faith, and the incredible gift of organ donation. Her journey shows how hope can carry us through even the hardest seasons of life.   Let’s Stay Connected:   Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com    Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast    Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.   BJ Odom’s bookMore Parts Than A Chicken Nugget… Grab your copy today: Available on Amazon in paperback & eBook!   If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:   Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platforms. Share this episode with family and friends. Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.   Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

  5. Jun 16

    Gift of Life 112 The Organ Transplant Podcast

    This week on Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Garry with 2 R’s Katz, a man whose journey has already been filled with battles, strength, and determination. After defeating cancer, Garry now faces another life-changing challenge… kidney failure.   In this heartfelt episode, Garry shares the emotional reality of living on dialysis, the daily struggles that come with kidney disease, and the hope he continues to hold onto while waiting for the gift of a life-saving kidney transplant. His story is honest, inspiring, and a powerful reminder of why organ donation matters so deeply.   Garry’s courage, humor, and positive spirit shine through as he opens up about navigating uncertainty while continuing to fight for more time, more memories, and a second chance at life.   Please take a moment to learn more about Garry’s journey and how you may be able to help by visiting:www.helpingGarry.com   Let’s Stay Connected:   Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com    Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast    Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.   BJ Odom’s book:More Parts Than A Chicken Nugget… Grab your copy today: Available on Amazon in paperback & eBook!   If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform.Share this episode with family and friends. Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.   Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

  6. Jun 9

    Gift of Life 111 The Organ Transplant Podcast

    In this powerful episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Robbie Knutson, whose journey began long before he ever knew a transplant would become part of his story.   Born premature, Robbie faced health challenges from the very beginning. At just 16 years old, he began experiencing breathing difficulties and learned there was a possibility he could develop emphysema—the same disease that affected his mother. Hoping for a better quality of life, Robbie moved and for a time things seemed to improve. But over the years, breathing slowly became more difficult, and everyday tasks that once seemed simple became exhausting.   Eventually, even making it through a workday became nearly impossible.   Determined to find answers and hope, Robbie traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where doctors delivered life-changing news: he would need a double lung transplant.   What followed was a journey filled with uncertainty, faith, patience, and courage.   Then came the call that would save his life.   Thanks to the incredible gift of organ donation from Mason and his family, Robbie received his life-saving double lung transplant and was given a second chance at life.   In this inspiring episode, Robbie shares:• Growing up premature and facing early health struggles• Learning he could face the same disease as his mother• The gradual decline that changed his everyday life• The emotional journey to the Mayo Clinic• Hearing the words “double lung transplant”• Receiving the life-saving call• His gratitude to Mason and the donor family who made his second chance possible• His message of hope for others facing transplant journeys   Robbie’s story is a reminder that organ donation doesn’t just save lives—it restores hope, purpose, and precious moments that might otherwise be lost.   Let’s Stay Connected:   Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com    Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast    Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.   BJ Odom’s bookMore Parts Than A Chicken Nugget… Available on Amazon in paperback & eBook!   If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with family and friends. Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.   Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

  7. Jun 2

    Gift of Life 110 The Organ Transplant Podcast

    In this heartfelt episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Leah Holverson and hear the powerful story of her unexpected journey to a heart transplant.   What first began as a strange and concerning episode eventually seemed to pass without answers. But less than a year later, the symptoms returned several more times. In July of 2022, Leah was placed on a heart monitor as doctors searched for answers. Even then, she never imagined that a heart transplant would one day become part of her future.   By 2024, Leah learned the life-changing news that she would need a heart transplant.   Through fear, uncertainty, and the waiting process, Leah leaned on the support of family, friends, and an incredible medical team. Thanks to the selfless gift of organ donation and the dedication of her doctors, Leah’s story became one of hope, healing, and a successful heart transplant.   Her journey is a reminder of how quickly life can change and how powerful faith, love, and community can be during the hardest moments.   Let’s Stay Connected:   Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com   Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast   Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.   BJ Odom’s book More Parts Than a Chicken Nugget is available on Amazon in paperback and eBook.   If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform.Share this episode with family and friends.   Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.   Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

  8. May 26

    Gift of Life 109 The Organ Transplant Podcast

    This week on Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we share a powerful and deeply moving story of love, loss, and legacy. We meet Tara Storch, a devoted mother whose life changed forever during a family ski trip when her beautiful 13-year-old daughter, Taylor, tragically lost her life in an accident. In the midst of unimaginable grief, Tara and her family made a courageous decision—one that would go on to save lives and impact countless others. Through Taylor’s selfless gift of organ donation, multiple lives were saved. But the story doesn’t end there. In this heartfelt conversation, Tara shares the full journey—from tragedy to purpose—and how her family turned their pain into something meaningful. Inspired by Taylor’s generous spirit, they founded Taylor’s Gift Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting donor families and helping others heal through giving. Tara’s story is one of faith, resilience, and the incredible ripple effect of one life lived with love.  In This Episode, You’ll Hear: The story of Taylor and the tragic accident that changed everything How one decision in a moment of grief saved multiple lives The emotional journey of a donor family The inspiration behind Taylor’s Gift Foundation How helping others became part of the healing process A message of hope for families walking through loss  About Taylor’s Gift Foundation: Founded in honor of Taylor, this organization provides support, resources, and community for donor families while promoting organ donation awareness.  Learn More: Taylorsgift.org Featured stories about the Storch family’s journey: D Magazine feature on Taylor’s Gift Fox News story on Taylor’s life-saving donations TODAY Show feature on the family’s decision and impact  Let’s Stay Connected:  Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform  BJ Odom’s Book: More Parts Than A Chicken NuggetAvailable on Amazon in paperback & eBook!  Help Us Spread the Message: If this episode touched your heart: Subscribe to the podcast Leave a 5-star review Share this episode with family and friends Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating second chances. Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

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The Organ Transplant Podcast. Gift of Life is Hosted by BJ Odom, a double transplant recipient who received a life-saving heart in 2003 and a kidney in 2015. BJ knows firsthand the power of organ donation. After receiving a heart transplant and facing the challenges of anti-rejection medication, he needed a second transplant – a kidney. Now, BJ shares his inspiring journey and those of others in the organ transplant world. Hear from those in the medical field, transplant recipients, donor families, and more, all to raise awareness about the lifesaving gift of organ donation.

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