Network for Hope

Mark was driving home in Cincinnati when he passed a yard sign: “A Kidney for Elaine.” Elaine had already found a donor by the time he called, so in 2020, Mark donated a kidney to a stranger instead. Five years later, he did it again, this time donating part of his liver to Mike Hopkins at UC Health. Weeks before surgery, Mike spotted a man in a Red Cross T-shirt in the waiting room and had a feeling he was his donor. When they met after surgery, Mike knew him right away. “This man is my hero,” Mike said. “I’m proud to call him my friend.” 💙💚 Mark’s advice? Learn more about living donation: networkforhope.org/why-becom… Story and photo credit: @uchealth

“It feels really good to know that she (Aunt T’Neil) helped a lot of people. It's a great feeling. Everybody talks about her a lot.” — Bella, Donor Niece of T’Neil an Organ and Tissue Donor

After years of navigating kidney failure, dialysis, and the uncertainty of waiting for a transplant, Carmelita learned that a donor kidney was available. Now, one year after her lifesaving kidney transplant, Carmelita joins Andi Johnson on This Thing Called Life to share the journey that brought her here, the people who helped her through it, and what life looks like today. Full episode is LIVE! 🎧Listen here: podbean.com/pw/pbblog-ed779-… 📺 Watch here: youtu.be/EOXqrpQbUJI

Reverend Damon Lynch, Jr. reminds everyone, including his own congregants at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, to tell the truth about donation. "God has given us life and if at all possible that you could be a donor do it." November is Faith and Hope Month, and we're thankful to leaders, like Rev. Lynch, who share the positive impact of organ, tissue, and eye donation with their community.

From Taylor Sang-Bush, recipient family and Mrs. Kentucky America: “Organ donation gave my son, Little Charlie, the opportunity to know and love his grandpa, Big Charlie. If you haven’t already, please consider becoming an organ donor or donating to Network for Hope or Donate Life Kentucky Trust. These organizations help donor families through the toughest times and care for people who are waiting for a life-saving transplant.”

When Bryan Rosado was just four months old, his mother learned he needed a liver transplant—and Puerto Rico couldn’t perform it on children. “We gave it our all to save our son’s life.” - Carmen Ana Rosado-Reyes, Mom of Bryan, Liver Recipient

More than 96,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant. Debbie Coleman was once one of them. After being diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure in 2023, Debbie needed a transplant. Her husband, Tom, wanted to donate his kidney, but the two weren't a compatible match. Through a paired exchange program, Tom donated his kidney to a stranger, allowing Debbie to receive a compatible kidney from another living donor. “My husband was my hero,” Debbie shared. Today, Debbie is celebrating the lifesaving transplant that gave her more time and sharing her story to encourage others to consider living donation. Story credit: LEX 18.

What does it mean to make a difference? For our own Jordan Mize, it meant turning loss into hope for someone else. 💙💚 After watching her stepdad, Mikey, live with liver disease, Jordan knew she wanted to become a living donor. When Mikey passed away less than a week after his transplant consultation, she remained determined to give. This May, Jordan became a living liver donor through @uc_health. She hasn’t met her recipient, but she knows someone out there received the alternate ending she had hoped for Mikey. “I hope they are leaving their own legacies and enjoying life to the fullest, all in honor of Mikey.” This National Make a Difference Day, we’re proud to share Jordan and Mikey’s story and the incredible difference one person can make.

8,895 people in the United States are waiting for a lifesaving liver transplant. For some, that lifesaving gift can come from a living donor. Because the liver can regenerate, a healthy person can donate a portion of their liver while they are still living. Deceased organ donation and living liver donation both create opportunities for people waiting to receive the transplant they need. Learn more about the impact of donation at networkforhope.org.

When Jon McSorley got the call that a donor liver was available, he had just hours to get from Minneapolis to Cincinnati for surgery. With the last flight overbooked, a Delta Air Lines employee stepped in, and 15–20 passengers volunteered their seats to help him make it home in time. Seven years later, Jon joins us on 'This Thing Called Life' to share his story and thank the strangers who helped him make it to his lifesaving transplant! Help us get this story to Delta and thank the incredible people who made it possible! 🎙️Hear Jon's full story tune into the latest episode. 🎧 Listen: bit.ly/4Bj2Kyn 📺 Watch: bit.ly/3TSeqYa