This Thing Called Life

Network For Hope
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This Thing Called Life is a podcast dedicated to acts of giving, kindness, compassion, and humanity. Host Andi Johnson introduces you to powerful organ, tissue, and eye donation stories from individuals, families, and front-line healthcare teams. These stories are meant to inspire and remind you that while life can be challenging and unpredictable, it’s also incredibly beautiful. We hope this podcast inspires you to connect with our life-saving and life-healing mission.

  1. JAN 20

    EP135: Reflexiones de Año Nuevo (New Year's reflections)

    This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/ RegisterMe.org/NetworkforHope

    10 min

  2. 12/23/2025

    EP 134: Honoring the Gift of Life: Erica Randall’s Journey with Network for Hope and Organ Donation

    EP 134 Title:  Honoring the Gift of Life: Erica Randall’s Journey with Network for Hope and Organ Donation   Episode Summary In this heartfelt episode, Erica Randall, Community Partnership and Events Manager at Network for Hope, shares her inspiring journey in building stronger communities and advocating for organ donation. Erica opens up about her role within the organization, highlighting the rewarding experience of organizing the annual Network for Hope Community Breakfast. But the conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Erica reflects on her family’s connection to organ donation, including the passing of her cousin Jason, who became an organ donor after a tragic car accident, and her mother-in-law Gail, who gave the gift of sight through cornea donation. Erica also discusses the creation of the SODA (Student Organ Donation Advocates) chapter in Cincinnati, which has now grown to 7-8 thriving chapters, and her deep passion for honoring both donors and recipients. Tune in to hear about Erica’s mission to spread awareness, inspire others, and make a lasting impact on the lives of those touched by organ donation.  Episode Highlights Erica Randall discusses her role at Network for Hope as the Community Partnerships and Events Manager, where she builds bridges between communities and the life-saving mission of donation. They recently held their annual breakfast event, themed “Voices of Hope,” where speakers reflected on the joy, resilience, and positivity of children and young adults impacted by donation. The event was visually brought to life through participants’ paintings surrounding the word hope, creating a powerful representation of lived experiences. Andi and Erica highlight Keegan, a young boy waiting for a lung transplant whose optimism and enthusiasm inspired everyone in the room. Erica shared the story of Jaylynn, a cornea recipient who is now thriving as a high-school senior, illustrating how donation restores independence and possibility. Erica has spent nine years in the OPO field and is deeply committed to educating communities about how the donation process truly works. Erica shares how the loss of her cousin Jason, who became an organ donor after a fatal car accident at 23, introduced her to the world of donation. She reflects on more than a decade of donation support services, building meaningful relationships with donor families during their most vulnerable moments. Erica explains why specific medical questions are asked during tissue donation, emphasizing safety, ethics, and protection for recipients. Erica’s mother-in-law Gail was diagnosed with liver cancer yet still became a cornea donor at age 66, restoring sight to two people in Saudi Arabia. Gail’s story highlights the importance of educating the public that certain donations are still possible—even with active cancer diagnoses. Erica shares her work with the Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) chapter in Ohio, where over 550 students registered as donors. She emphasizes how today’s teenagers are setting a powerful standard for social impact and advocacy. Andi thanks Erica for her transparency, leadership, and dedication to sharing knowledge that empowers informed decisions about donation. Key Takeaways Education dispels fear. Accurate, compassionate education helps families and communities understand donation and make informed decisions rooted in truth—not misinformation. Hope has many voices. From children waiting for transplants to recipients thriving years later, each story demonstrates the ripple effect of donation. Legacy lives on through giving. Personal loss, like Erica’s experience with her cousin Jason, can transform grief into purpose and lifelong advocacy. Tweetable Quotes “​​So our theme is voices of hope. And we did feature children and young adults. And I liked that idea because I wanted to show people it's not just adults who go through this. It does impact, you know, children at birth, or it does impact children very young age.” - Erica Randall   “So Jalen scratched her cornea when she was two years old and had to receive a cornea transplant. She is now a senior in high school in cosmetology. I'm so proud of her, and she is a signed professional Fisher woman. Oh, my God, and to see her just thrive all because of a cornea transplant, and how her life, I mean, she could be 17 years old with no eye, or she could have no vision.” - Erical Randall   “At 23 years old, he (Jason, Erica’s cousin)  became a superhero, and he was able to donate his heart, his liver, his kidneys, and he was a tissue donor. So that completely flipped our lives upside down, but introduced me to a world of donation I had no clue even existed.” - Erica Randall   “I think it's an honor to give them the chance to have that light that somebody gave me when Jason became a donor. It gave us some positivity to his death. It gave us some glimpse of hope, some light in our lives, and to give that, to pass that on to somebody else, to have that chance was a great privilege.” - Erica Randall   “She (Gail, Erica’s Mother-in-Law) became a cornea donor at the age of 66 in her corneas, or in Saudi Arabia. So two people in Saudi Arabia have the gift of sight because of her. So, again, great moment here to educate people that can be cornea donors and have active cancer.” - Erica Randall   Resources: Donatelifeky.org https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.networkforhope.org/stories-of-hope/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/ RegisterMe.org/NetworkforHope

    27 min

  3. 12/02/2025

    EP 133: “Walking by Faith: Maria’s Story of Survival and Purpose”

    Title:  EP 133:  “Walking by Faith: Maria’s Story of Survival and Purpose” 🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode of This Thing Called Life, we meet Maria Valentina Almeida — a college graduate, a passionate advocate, and a woman whose faith has carried her through a lifetime of medical battles. Born with sepsis and a rare Colecta malformation that led to kidney failure, Maria now shares her story to bring hope, dignity, and strength to others living with disabilities. Her journey is still unfolding, and she is in urgent need of a kidney donor — but her spirit remains unshakeable. This conversation shines with resilience, purpose, and the power of believing in something bigger.   ✨ Episode Highlights Maria shares her background, including her mother's history with kidney disease and transplants. Maria's mother was diagnosed with kidney failure at 19 and underwent multiple transplants, inspiring Maria. Maria's mother had Maria and her twin sister during her second transplant, highlighting her resilience and determination. Maria was born in Venezuela with sepsis and underwent emergency surgery on her first day of life. She spent 45 days in the NICU and faced alarming prognoses from doctors, but she has proven them wrong. Maria had her kidney removed at nine years old during a surgery in the United States in 2011. Despite her health challenges, Maria has always tried to live a normal life and take her treatments seriously. Maria discusses the impact of her chronic illness on her life, including feeling different from her peers. She emphasizes the importance of not seeing herself as a victim and using her challenges as a strength. Maria shares her faith and how it has helped her through her difficult times. She talks about the power of sharing her story and connecting with others who have similar challenges. Maria graduated from college early due to her kidney failure symptoms and received two degrees in journalism and public health. She also has a minor in health behavior analysis and plans to use her education to advocate for others. Maria's faith and family support have been crucial in her journey, and she aims to continue sharing her story. She expresses her desire to use her platform to help others who may not have the same resources or support. Maria's twin sister has been a strong advocate for her, creating a Canva campaign and getting billboards to raise awareness. Maria's parents have also been very supportive, attending her appointments and taking care of her. Maria's faith and family support have helped her stay positive and hopeful through her challenges. She shares her dreams of receiving a transplant and how it would change her life. She encourages others to reach out for help and support, and to continue dreaming and achieving despite their challenges. Andi Johnson concludes the podcast by thanking Maria and reminding listeners of the importance of living donation and kindness.   📝 Key Takeaways Resilience is cultivated, not accidental. Maria’s journey — from emergency surgery at birth to kidney removal at age nine and ongoing health battles — reflects a life shaped by determination, faith, and a refusal to see herself as a victim. Family support and advocacy can change outcomes. From her mother’s perseverance through three transplants to her sister launching awareness campaigns and her parents accompanying her to appointments, Maria’s story is a testament to the life-saving power of community. Sharing your story can create purpose and hope. With degrees in journalism and public health, Maria is committed to helping others navigate illness and disability. By speaking boldly about her own journey — and her need for a kidney donor — she offers courage, information, and connection to others on the same path.   📢 Tweetable Quotes “She is a third-time transplant survivor, and she's just my biggest inspiration. But something that stands out a lot about my mom is that she had my twin sister and me during her second transplant, after her second transplant had happened. It's just so motivating to see how she persevered and how she had this goal of being a mom, even despite what she went through since such a young age.” - Maria on her Mother’s experience with Kidney Disease   “The doctors gave my parents a lot of alarming prognoses of just my future, and even told them that it would take a miracle for me to just live to make it. And if I were to make it, I would have a lot of complications. I would not be able to walk. Talk, talk, I would not be just a normal human being, and I have just proven them wrong. I am so blessed, and that just comes to show how much God loves me.” - Maria’s first day out into the world and her first surgery   “I went through a couple of surgeries from the very beginning to correct my condition that I was initially born with, which was cloaca malformation to colorectal malformation, and my kidney was removed at nine years old when I came to the United States in 2011.” - Maria on her surgery to remove her kidney at 9 years old   “So I was managing finishing school and symptoms and just life the last four months, five months of the year of 2024, and it was a challenge, but I made it. I walked across that stage with two degrees and a technical.” - Maria Valentina Almeida   “Yes, I I know that I'm called to share my story, to continue to do this as a as a long term thing, as a lifelong thing, just stand and raise my voice for for my vulnerability, but also the vulnerability of others that are not able to have this platform, that are that don't know where to start, that don't have just the motivation, or don't have the support or the resources. “ - Maria Valentina Almeida   “I dream of my kidney. I have had many dreams where I am literally lying in a hospital bed waiting to go into the or and I wake up, and I say, Maybe today's it. So I'm not gonna lie. I'm very eager, and sometimes I get very desperate, but that's normal.” - Maria Valentina Almeida   Resources: Donatelifeky.org   https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.networkforhope.org/stories-of-hope/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/ RegisterMe.org/NetworkforHope

    28 min

  4. 11/18/2025

    EP 132: Desayuno Comunitario & Experiencias de Voluntariado con Carmen Rosado (Community Breakfast & Experiences of a Volunteer with Carmen Rosado)

    This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/ RegisterMe.org/NetworkforHope

    11 min

  5. 11/11/2025

    EP 131: “Three Hearts, One Journey:  The Massie Family’s Journey with Alport Syndrome”

    Title:  EP 131:  “Three Hearts, One Journey:  The Massie Family’s Journey with Alport Syndrome”    🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode of This Thing Called Life, we meet Katelyn Massie, whose family’s story is one of strength, resilience, and hope. Katelyn, her mother Amanda, and her brother Hunter all live with Alport Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that leads to kidney disease and, for many, the need for a transplant. Katelyn shares how her family’s challenges have turned into a powerful story of advocacy, awareness, and gratitude for the gift of life. Katelyn has turned her personal challenges into purpose — pursuing a Master’s Degree in Bioengineering at the University of Washington and working on developing a portable dialysis device that could change the future for patients like her. Andi Johnson introduces Katelyn Massie, the daughter of Amanda and sister of Hunter, who joins the podcast from Vanceburg, Kentucky, where she is currently receiving dialysis treatment. Katelyn shares her background, including her Alport Syndrome diagnosis, her Master’s Degree in Bioengineering, and her innovative work on a portable dialysis device at the University of Washington — a project inspired by her own experience as a patient. Katelyn addresses the widespread misconceptions surrounding organ donation, encouraging listeners to research thoroughly and rely on credible medical sources instead of fear-based narratives. She clarifies that being a registered organ donor does not affect the quality of medical care you receive — an important myth to dispel. Katelyn emphasizes making informed decisions based on facts and personal conviction rather than hearsay or outdated assumptions. Andi inquires about the process of learning more about living kidney donation and how individuals can register as donors. Katelyn highlights the UK Living Donor Clinic, sharing her positive experience and the inspiring number of people willing to get tested for potential matches. She mentions that her father was told he didn’t need to get tested because there were already so many individuals in the pipeline — a beautiful testament to generosity in action. Katelyn encourages others to take initiative, reminding listeners that every potential donor adds hope for someone waiting. When asked about her daily life, Katelyn opens up about her family’s shared journey, explaining the emotional and physical toll of living with kidney disease. She shares that she and her brother attend dialysis together, which helps them both find comfort and strength in shared understanding. Katelyn recounts emergencies when her low hemoglobin levels required hospitalization — moments where her brother’s presence made all the difference. Andi expresses deep gratitude to Katelyn for her courage and transparency, wishing her family continued strength and healing as they wait for transplants. The episode closes with a heartfelt reminder from Andi: over 100,000 people are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant — 90,000 of whom need kidneys. Listeners are encouraged to register as organ donors or consider living donation through trusted platforms such as RegisterMe.org and Network for Hope. 📝 Key Takeaways Knowledge Over Fear: Katelyn reminds listeners that misinformation is one of the biggest barriers to organ donation. By turning to medical and scholarly resources, individuals can make empowered, informed decisions rooted in truth rather than fear. The Power of Family Support: Facing dialysis alongside her brother Hunter, Katelyn’s story highlights how shared strength and empathy within families can turn even the hardest challenges into moments of connection and resilience. Innovation and Hope for the Future: Through her studies in bioengineering and her work on a portable dialysis device, Katelyn represents the next generation of changemakers — patients turned innovators who are redefining what’s possible for kidney health.   📢 Tweetable Quotes   “I think that there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding organ donation and that that gives people a lot of hesitation, but I would just encourage people to do your research and really look into it and look at it from scholarly sources, rather than, like, fear mongering.”  - Katelyn Massie   “And I've actually had really great success with that, because UK has told me that they just have a massive list of people willing to get tested to the point where they haven't even, like they contacted my dad when he was willing to get tested and told him, like, we have plenty of people in the pipeline. We don't need you, and they haven't called him back to ask him to get tested.” - Katelyn Massie   “It's stressful for sure, because I'm worried about myself, but then I also have to worry about Hunter and mom as well.”  - Katelyn Massie   “It gives me a lot of anxiety just worrying about them all the time, but at the same time, it's kind of nice to have people that understand what I'm going through and that I can relate to, like Hunter and I go to dialysis together.”  - Katelyn Massie Resources: Donatelifeky.org https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.networkforhope.org/stories-of-hope/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/ RegisterMe.org/NetworkforHope

    6 min

  6. 11/04/2025

    EP 130: “The Ripple Effect: Maggie Luken’s Journey of Loss, Love, and Life”

    Title:  “The Ripple Effect: Maggie Luken’s Journey of Loss, Love, and Life”   🎙️ Episode Summary In this deeply moving episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson welcomes Maggie Luken, whose story reminds us that even in profound loss, love can create ripples of life. When tragedy struck, Maggie Luken chose compassion. In this moving interview, she reflects on a year marked by major back surgery, the loss of two brothers, and the life-giving decision that followed. Inspired by her brother Brendon’s organ donation, Maggie became a living donor herself. Now an Ambassador for donation, Maggie's story is a testament to resilience, purpose, and how one act of kindness can create ripples of life.   ✨ Episode Highlights Andi Johnson welcomes Maggie Luken, setting the stage for a story of resilience and hope. Maggie opens up about her lifelong battle with back issues due to a genetic defect — a condition that began affecting her as early as age 12. Over time, severe back pain led her to use a wheelchair and undergo extensive physical therapy. After having two children, Maggie’s condition worsened, leaving her unable to stand for more than five minutes and suffering intense nerve pain. She describes her bilateral spinal fusion and discectomy — a major surgery that replaced damaged discs with metal rods and screws. Maggie recalls the painful recovery but also the immediate relief she felt when the nerve pain vanished. Now, 2.5 years post-surgery, Maggie shares her gratitude for a full recovery and no longer needing medical visits for her back. Tragedy struck when her 24-year-old brother Brendan suffered a heart attack while at the gym. Maggie recounts the devastating details, including a delay in help and the family’s desperate hope as Brendan was placed on ECMO life support for a week. Despite their faith in a miracle, scans revealed irreversible brain damage, forcing the family to face the unimaginable. Maggie shares the heartfelt decision to donate Brendan’s organs, knowing his legacy would live on through others. She finds comfort in knowing that Brendan’s heart, kidneys, and eyes gave life and sight to multiple people. Reflecting on his legacy, Maggie describes Brendan as a source of inspiration, pushing her to continue his story through advocacy. She also reveals the unexpected loss of her second brother, Colin, just months later, to an accidental overdose — a loss that deepened her purpose in helping others. Maggie shares how she was inspired by a podcast episode and a local kidney recipient’s story to become a living donor herself. With the unwavering support of her husband and community, she embarked on the journey to donate a kidney — describing the procedure as less invasive than her back surgery and the recovery as surprisingly manageable. Maggie speaks candidly about her emotional healing after the surgery and how the experience became part of her process of grief and renewal. She encourages listeners to consider organ and living donation, reminding them that it’s not only life-changing for the recipient but healing for the donor as well. Maggie shares how her advocacy inspired Carrie, a local dietitian, to donate her own kidney to a stranger — a ripple effect that continues to grow. She closes by reflecting on her brothers’ legacies, her mission to honor them, and the hope that others will be moved to give life through organ donation. Andi Johnson thanks Maggie for her openness and courage, closing with a message of gratitude for those who turn tragedy into purpose.   📝 Key Takeaways Turning Pain into Purpose: Maggie’s story shows how personal tragedy can become a powerful catalyst for compassion. Her choice to become a living donor transformed grief into hope — not only for herself but for others in need. The Ripple Effect of Donation: From Brendan’s selfless organ donation to Maggie’s own kidney gift — and now Carrie’s — one act of kindness can inspire a chain of generosity that touches countless lives. Healing Through Advocacy: Maggie’s work as an organ donation ambassador highlights how sharing personal stories can encourage others to register, donate, and change lives while preserving the memory of loved ones.   📢 Tweetable Quotes “After having two children, you carry two babies and your back. It really does a number on it, right? So, yeah. By the end of 2022, I couldn't stand for more than five minutes at a time. My nerve was completely pinched. I had been told I wasn't allowed to pick up my kids anymore.”  - Maggie Luken   “And so I have like, two metal rods and four screws and a fake disc in my back now, yeah, but I feel great. It's, I mean, as soon as I woke up from surgery, the nerve pain was gone. It's, you know, it's awful their recovery. I'm not gonna lie, it's the hardest thing physically that I've ever gone through.”  - Maggie Luken   “We found out that he had a heart attack at the gym where he worked at Planet Fitness, and nobody tried to help him. They just walked around him for almost five minutes before they tried to help or called 911, and so by the time the paramedics got there, they were able to restart his heart, but it had been 40 minutes…” - Maggie Luken on her brother, Brendan’s heart attack   “It's really crazy to think that you know somebody out there is literally seeing the world through my brother's eyes. Somebody's heart is pumping blood through his heart valves. You know, there's somebody who has a personal liver now, and people have kidneys, and we got a message from someone who received like tissue and they were able to heal from something that they had been struggling with.”  - Maggie Luken   “So the actual incisions for where it's done are very small, and then they do take it out in one piece, and so you have the larger, like, it's basically a C-section score. So I kind of just felt like I didn't have a C-section with either of my children, but I kind of just felt like I had to chill again. Like, after you have a baby, you're just taking it easy.” - Maggie Luken on her surgery Resources: Donatelifeky.org https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.networkforhope.org/stories-of-hope/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/ RegisterMe.org/NetworkforHope

    32 min

  7. 10/21/2025

    EP 129: Actividades para la Comunidad (Community Activities)

    This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/ RegisterMe.org/NetworkforHope

    11 min

  8. 10/14/2025

    EP 128: "Meeting My Kidney Sister: Sarah Green Moore’s Story of Healing and Purpose"

    Title:  "Meeting My Kidney Sister: Sarah Green-Moore’s Story of Healing and Purpose"     🎙️ Episode Summary In this heartfelt episode of This Thing Called Life, we sit down with Sarah Green-Moore, a kidney transplant recipient whose story is as inspiring as it is extraordinary. Sarah shares the unforgettable moment she met her “kidney sister” — the woman receiving the other kidney from the same donor — in the hospital lobby just before their transplants. Now, thriving with a new lease on life, Sarah is paying it forward by caring for her 8-year-old daughter who needed her when she was least expecting it. This is a moving story of second chances, sisterhood, and the power of showing up when it matters most. ----more---- ✨ Episode Highlights   Sarah Green-Moore shares her story, beginning in 2015 when her primary physician referred her to a specialist for kidney issues, and a moment that would soon change her life. Ignoring the warning signs, Sarah initially brushed off her doctor’s advice, believing she was healthy and active. But her mother’s illness with multiple myeloma in 2012 became a turning point that reminded her of the fragility of life. Determined to face her health head-on, she decided to take responsibility for her well-being to avoid burdening her siblings, who relied on her strength and support. When her specialist advised starting dialysis, Sarah resisted the idea, struggling to reconcile how someone who “felt fine” could be so sick. The emotional weight of the diagnosis sank in, and she had to come to terms with the reality of living with kidney disease. Sarah shared the difficult news with her oldest brother, whose heartbreak reflected the entire family’s shock and concern. In seeking answers, Sarah researched her family’s health history, only to find that chronic kidney disease (CKD) didn’t run in the family — making her condition even more puzzling. She decided to break the news to her family through a picnic, a setting filled with love yet marked by emotional reactions and tears. Visiting dialysis centers opened Sarah’s eyes to the reality of the journey ahead, stirring both fear and uncertainty, yet also courage. She remained steadfast in her resolve to maintain her independence and dignity, refusing to let illness define her. With family encouragement, Sarah focused on getting healthier and being placed on the transplant waiting list. In 2017, she received the call that changed everything — her time for a transplant had come. In an extraordinary twist, Sarah met another patient in the hospital and soon discovered they were both receiving kidneys from the same donor, forming an unbreakable bond as the “kidney sisters.” Eight years later, Sarah reflects on life post-transplant and her journey as a mother, a caretaker, and an advocate for others walking similar paths. Her “kidney sister” became her accountability partner and emotional anchor, proving how shared experiences can create lasting friendships. Sarah believes in the power of speaking openly about her experience to encourage others to face their health fears and seek help early. She and Andi discuss the need to educate the public about organ donation, dispelling misconceptions and promoting understanding. They highlight the benefits of the Paired Kidney Exchange Program, which helps match living donors and recipients more efficiently. Sarah closes by encouraging everyone to consider organ donation and embrace the opportunity to give life to others. ----more---- 📝 Key Takeaways Listening to your body can save your life. Sarah’s story reminds us that even when we feel “fine,” it’s crucial to pay attention to medical advice and early warning signs — prevention and awareness can make all the difference. Connection brings healing. Meeting her “kidney sister” turned a medical journey into a story of shared hope, mutual strength, and lasting friendship — showing how donation can create unexpected bonds. Advocacy through authenticity. By sharing her experiences openly, Sarah helps others overcome fear, understand the truth about kidney disease, and see organ donation as an act of compassion and courage. ----more---- 📢 Tweetable Quotes   “And so when I decided to listen, I went to the specialist, and the specialist was like, It's time for you to do dialysis. I'm looking at him like, ‘You're whack’, I'm not having any symptoms, and I've always dealt with being anemic from when I started my menstrual cycle, so that was nothing new to me.”  Sarah Green-Moore on being recommended for dialysis   “ I had to tell him the only thing that's wrong with your sister. She needs a kidney. That's the only thing that's wrong with me.” Sarah Green-Moore on sharing the news with family   “I almost started wanting to fight again, especially when it was time for me to get my access, I was like. I could not fathom being connected to a machine that I knew would save my life.”  Sarah Green-Moore on starting dialysis   “This doesn't define me. This doesn't say who I am, but I have to be honest about going through that journey and visiting the different centers and things that scared the fool out of me.” Sarah Green-Moore   “To be able to have somebody where I could just be there for each other, just hold her hand, and she can hold my hand.” Sarah Green-Moore on having her kidney sister  Resources: Donatelifeky.org https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.networkforhope.org/stories-of-hope/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope. https://aopo.org/ RegisterMe.org/NetworkforHope

    36 min
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4.9
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

This Thing Called Life is a podcast dedicated to acts of giving, kindness, compassion, and humanity. Host Andi Johnson introduces you to powerful organ, tissue, and eye donation stories from individuals, families, and front-line healthcare teams. These stories are meant to inspire and remind you that while life can be challenging and unpredictable, it’s also incredibly beautiful. We hope this podcast inspires you to connect with our life-saving and life-healing mission.

Information

  • Creator
    Network For Hope
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    This Thing Called Life