Gift of the Graft

Conal Beban | Organ Donation & Transplant Stories
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  • Personal Journals

This podcast is an honest look at organ donation and transplantation told by the people who’ve actually lived it. Through unfiltered conversations with recipients, donors, families, clinicians, and those working behind the scenes, we explore what it really means to be given a second chance at life. The good, the uncomfortable, the stuff that doesn’t always make the pamphlets or the hospital discharge notes. We talk about fear, gratitude, identity, survival, resilience and the realities of life before and after transplant. It’s not about inspiration porn or tidy endings. It’s about truth, perspective, and the human stories that sit at the heart of organ donation. If you’re curious about transplantation, connected to it, or just interested in stories where life gets real, this is for you.

Episodes

  1. May 24

    Helen Bickers | 35 Years of Living with a Gift | Kidney Transplant

    What does it take to keep a kidney transplant thriving for nearly 35 years? For Helen Bickers, it took unmatched resilience, the power of patient self-advocacy, and surviving the darkest corners of chronic illness. In this episode of The Gift of the Graft, Conal sits down with Helen to trace her incredible, decades-long journey through the changing landscape of New Zealand's medical system. Diagnosed with dual renal reflux as a child, Helen's life took a massive turn at just 17 when she plunged into complete renal failure. From the grueling reality of five years on home hemodialysis to navigating the crushing emotional roller coaster of four failed transplant opportunities—including cancelled surgeries and organ rejections—Helen shares her story with a beautiful, raw, and pragmatic honesty. In this episode, we dive into: The Power of Your Own Voice: How a 17-year-old Helen caught a major medical error, and why being your own "eyes, ears, and voice" is essential for survival.The "Full-Time Job" of Dialysis: The unseen mental and physical toll of managing home dialysis while trying to maintain a normal life.Hitting Rock Bottom & Finding an Anchor: A vulnerable look at medical burnout, overcoming severe psychological hurdles, and the importance of having someone to hold you to the ground.Love, Marriage, and the Healthy Unknown: The unique perspective of Helen's husband, who married her while she was on dialysis, and the anxiety of wondering "Who is Helen when she isn't sick?"The Bright Orange Thermos: The unforgettable moment her third transplant finally arrived, and what it truly means to honor a donor's legacy every single day. Helen’s journey is a powerful testament to the triumph of the human spirit and a must-listen for anyone navigating their own medical path or supporting someone who is. Follow & Share The Gift of the Graft: Don't forget to hit follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.If Helen’s story touched you, please leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Have conversations with your loved ones about organ donation—alignment matters. Note: This episode includes open discussions about mental health and medical burnout. If you or someone you know is struggling and needs to talk, free call or text 1737 anytime in New Zealand to speak with a trained counselor.

    1h 14m

  2. Apr 28

    Jess Avenell | Learning to Breathe Again | Double Lung Transplant

    Jess’s story is one of those ones that really stays with you. Diagnosed with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), she went from living a full, active life to a place where even a single breath could feel like a hard-fought win. In this episode, we talk about: what it actually feels like to lose your breath, slowly, over timethe emotional side of being sick trying to hold onto normal life while everything is shifting underneath youthe surreal lead-up to transplant including the call, the chaos, and getting herself to hospitaland what life looks like on the other side of a double lung transplant Jess is open, honest, and incredibly grounded. There’s a lot in here that will resonate, whether you’ve been through transplant yourself or not. 🔗 Connect with JessJess now supports others going through transplant through her work: 🌐 Website: www.thetransplantcoach.co.nz 📸 Instagram: @the_transplantcoach

    1h 28m

  3. Apr 7

    Shane "Legend" Leger | "Death Can Have Me When It’s Earned Me" | Heart Transplant Journey

    Shane Leger’s story is one of resilience, perspective, and what it means to grow through life’s toughest moments. Diagnosed with a serious heart condition at birth, Shane faced challenges early that would shape the way he sees the world today. But what stands out isn’t just what he went through—it’s how he’s processed it. There’s a calmness and clarity in Shane’s outlook, captured in a line that sums him up perfectly: “death can have me when it’s earned me.” In this conversation, Shane reflects not only on his heart transplant journey, but how his mindset has evolved over time. From the fearlessness of youth to the deeper awareness that comes with having more to lose, his story is honest, grounded, and quietly powerful. This episode isn’t just about survival—it’s about perspective, growth, and learning what really matters.

    1h 13m

  4. Mar 18

    Antony Vlatkovich - Liver Transplant Recipient

    In this episode, I sit down with Antony Vlatkovich, liver transplant recipient, cancer survivor, and all-round legend. We talk about his childhood growing up with the knowledge that he would one day need a transplant, the weight of that reality, and how it shaped who he became. Antony shares the moment he received “the call,” the life-saving operation that followed, and his recovery. This is a conversation about resilience, perspective, and what it means to be given a second chance at life — and how you choose to live it.

    58 min

  5. Feb 16

    Andy Bryant - Live Kidney Donor

    The first episode of the Gift of the Graft podcast features a conversation between kidney transplant recipient Conal Beban and his kidney donor, Andy Bryant. The podcast aims to provide information and support for individuals considering live organ donation. The conversation covers the emotional and physical journey of becoming a kidney donor, including the motivation, decision-making process, medical tests, psychological evaluation, family support, financial security, hospital admission, and the operation day experience. The conversation covers the experience of kidney donation and the impact it has had on both the donor and the recipient. It delves into the recovery process, the emotional impact, and the rewards of donation, highlighting the unselfish act and the resilience of both individuals. Takeaways Live organ donation processEmotional and physical journeySupport and preparation for donation Unselfish ActRecovery and Resilience Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast05:25 Preparation for Donation: Medical Tests and Psychological Evaluation11:24 Family Support and Financial Security for Donors23:23 Pre-Operation Experience: Hospital Admission and Preparation33:35 Operation Day: Donor's Experience and Recovery38:41 The Operation and Recovery Process49:13 The Impact and Rewards of Donation

    1h 13m
  • 5 Episodes

About

This podcast is an honest look at organ donation and transplantation told by the people who’ve actually lived it. Through unfiltered conversations with recipients, donors, families, clinicians, and those working behind the scenes, we explore what it really means to be given a second chance at life. The good, the uncomfortable, the stuff that doesn’t always make the pamphlets or the hospital discharge notes. We talk about fear, gratitude, identity, survival, resilience and the realities of life before and after transplant. It’s not about inspiration porn or tidy endings. It’s about truth, perspective, and the human stories that sit at the heart of organ donation. If you’re curious about transplantation, connected to it, or just interested in stories where life gets real, this is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Conal Beban | Organ Donation & Transplant Stories
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Conal Beban | Organ Donation & Transplant Stories
  • Show Website
    Gift of the Graft