Today’s episode is extra special because we’re diving into something deeply personal—my brand-new memoir, More Parts Than a Chicken Nugget.

But this book wasn’t written alone. By my side through the process was Christina Metcalf—a gifted writer and, more importantly, someone who understands the meaning of the gift of life firsthand. Christina is a living donor, having given part of her liver to her half-sister in an incredible act of courage and love.

Together, Christina and I wove my journey into words—the surgeries, the setbacks, the resilience, and yes, even the humor that has carried me through. In this episode, Christina shares what surprised her most about my story, why she took on this project as a passion, and the bigger message we both hope readers will carry with them.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to turn a life’s worth of experiences into a memoir—or how organ donation touches not just one life but entire families—this conversation is for you.

Listen now and join us as we celebrate writing, resilience, and the gift of life.

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Welcome back to the Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast.

Today we’re honored to share the powerful story of Monica Douglas Davis—a wife, a mother, a licensed counselor, an author, a life coach, and a heart transplant recipient.

Monica’s journey began after the birth of her twin daughters, when she was just 42 years old. What should have been a time of pure joy quickly turned into a fight for survival. She was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM)—a rare and often devastating form of heart failure that strikes new mothers.

Her battle ultimately led her to the ultimate gift—a life-saving heart transplant in 2024. But Monica’s story is more than survival. It’s about resilience, faith, and purpose. She has transformed her darkest chapters into a message of hope and healing, now guiding others as a counselor and life coach.

In this heartfelt conversation, Monica opens up about her struggles, her transplant journey, and the way she’s turning her second chance at life into a mission to inspire and uplift others.

LinkedIn.com/Monica-Davis-LPC-408a45290

HTTPS://Facebook.com/careservicessite

HTTPS://Amazon.com/Monica DouglasDavis

Website https://carescounseling.com

This is an episode filled with courage, perseverance, and the reminder that every heartbeat is

Let’s Stay Connected

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• 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.

This week, we meet Lisa Vecchione, a heart transplant survivor whose story reminds us of the delicate balance between life, timing, and the gift of organ donation.

Lisa’s journey began long before her transplant. A heart murmur noticed back in junior high might have been a warning sign—but no one could have predicted the road ahead. Years later, while working as a barista and suddenly feeling unwell, Lisa went to the ER only to learn that her heart was in far worse shape than she had ever imagined.

What followed was a battle for survival—filled with challenges, uncertainty, and ultimately, the life-saving gift of a new heart. But Lisa’s story doesn’t end there. In one of the most emotional moments of her journey, she met her donor’s family, giving them the chance to hear their loved one’s heartbeat living on inside her. It’s a story of connection, gratitude, and love that transcends loss.

This episode is not just about survival—it’s about the bonds that organ donation creates, the hope it restores, and the way it turns tragedy into life.

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This week, we welcome Sean Pinegar, another heart transplant survivor whose story is deeply intertwined with the genetic condition LMNA-related cardiomyopathy.

Sean takes us on a heartfelt journey—from the earliest signs that something wasn’t right, through the challenges and uncertainty, and finally to the life-changing gift of a new heart. His path is one of courage, resilience, and hope.

But Sean’s story holds a unique surprise: what became of his old heart. In a way that continues to touch lives, his former heart is now contributing to research and may one day help others facing the same struggles.

This episode is a reminder of the ripple effect of organ donation. Each gift not only saves a life but can also bring knowledge, comfort, and healing to countless others. Sean’s journey highlights the strength of the human spirit and the incredible generosity of donors and their families.

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If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:

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Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.

Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

In this week’s episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, host BJ Odom takes on a topic that every transplant recipient knows about, but many fear: rejection.

Our scheduled guest, Randy, had to postpone his appearance due to experiencing a bout of rejection with his liver transplant. In his absence, BJ turns the microphone toward an open and honest conversation about what rejection really means, how doctors treat it, and why it doesn’t always spell the end of a transplant journey.

• What rejection is and why it happens – the immune system’s role in protecting us, and how it sometimes mistakenly attacks a transplanted organ.

• How doctors prevent and treat rejection – from daily immunosuppressant medications to regular bloodwork, biopsies, and adjustments in care.

• The balancing act of transplant medicine – keeping the immune system calm enough to protect the new organ, but strong enough to fight infections.

• The hopeful side of rejection – why early detection and treatment often mean rejection can be reversed.

BJ also shares his own powerful experience with antibody-mediated rejection, a specific kind of rejection caused by donor-specific antibodies (DSA). He explains what it’s like when the body creates antibodies that attack the transplanted organ, and how treatments like plasmapheresis, IV infusions, and targeted therapies can help patients overcome it.

His message is clear:

You’re not alone.

Treatments exist.

With the right care team and follow-ups, transplant recipients can face rejection and still thrive with the gift of life.

Rejection is not the end—it’s a reminder of how important it is to listen to your body, stay consistent with medications, and never miss follow-up care. With vigilance, hope, and medical advances, transplant patients can continue living the second chance they’ve been given.

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Welcome to Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast. I’m your host, BJ Odom.

Today’s episode is a powerful reminder we all need: if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Our guest, John Perkins, learned this lesson in the hardest way. What began as a nagging sense that something was wrong eventually led him down the road of needing not one, but two life-saving transplants—a liver and a kidney.

John’s journey was long and painful, filled with challenges not only for him but for his entire family. At one point, it would’ve been easy to give up. But thanks to the encouragement of a hospital employee, John found the strength to keep fighting for his life.

In this conversation, John shares his story of resilience, hope, and the importance of paying attention to your body—and why seeking medical help early can make all the difference. This is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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If John’s story touched your heart, please help us spread the message:

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• 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.

Sometimes the most precious gifts we pass down to our children are love, values, and memories. But for families like Jennifer’s, there is also a shared genetic legacy—one that brings with it enormous health challenges.

You may remember Dr. Robert Pritt from Episode 38, whose life was saved by a heart transplant. Robert and his daughter Jennifer share not only a deep bond as father and daughter, but also the same LMNA-related cardiomyopathy gene. This condition can lead to life-threatening heart problems and is now known to be carried by Jennifer’s brother and daughter as well.

In today’s episode, Jennifer bravely shares her own life-saving transplant journey—a story filled with resilience, gratitude, and hope. Thanks to the generosity of an organ donor, she can continue to cherish her husband, her four children, and the joy of a brand-new grandbaby.

We’ll also touch on promising research that gives hope for a future where this gene can be stopped from causing harm to others.

This is more than a story about survival—it’s about the strength of family, the power of science, and the incredible impact of organ donation.

⸻

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If this episode touched your heart, please help us spread the message:

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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.

Sometimes, life brings people into your path for a reason. On a recent visit to Tampa General Hospital, I found myself needing a ride — and that’s when I met Tammy Zettles. As I climbed into her car, I noticed a Donate Life sticker on her window. That simple sticker led to a powerful conversation that I’ll never forget.

Tammy is a donor mom. Her son, DJ, passed away at the young age of 21 — a tragic and heartbreaking loss. But in the midst of that unimaginable grief, DJ gave the ultimate gift. He was an organ donor who saved and enhanced many lives.

In this special episode, Tammy joins us to honor DJ’s life and legacy. With grace, strength, and love, she shares his story — not just the story of how he died, but the story of how he lived. She reminds us that behind every donation is a family, a heartbeat, and a love that continues to ripple through the world.

I’m proud to now call Tammy a friend, and even prouder to welcome her to the Gift of Life family. DJ’s light continues to shine through her words and her advocacy.

You don’t want to miss this touching conversation about love, loss, and the legacy of giving.

Let’s Stay Connected

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Say “yes” to donation – be someone’s gift of life