Gift of Life

This week, we meet Wayne Adam Greer — a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and author whose faith and resilience carried him through one of life’s biggest challenges.

Wayne’s journey began with what seemed like nothing more than a stubborn cold that just wouldn’t go away. After weeks of no improvement, he headed to the ER expecting a simple diagnosis like bronchitis — but instead, doctors discovered he was in congestive heart failure. Within three months, his condition worsened to cardiomyopathy, but through medication and care, his heart stabilized, allowing him to enjoy 17 more blessed years.

Then, the unthinkable happened — his heart began to fail again. Facing the ultimate test of faith, Wayne would go on to receive a life-saving heart transplant, giving him not just more time, but a renewed purpose to share his story and inspire others.

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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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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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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 You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• 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’s Personal Story: Donor-Specific Antibody Rejection

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.

Key Takeaway

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.

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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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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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.

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In this deeply moving episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we welcome Dr. Angelie Roman—a compassionate physician, an immigrant from the Philippines, and now a grateful kidney transplant recipient.

Angelie came to the United States at a young age, driven by a dream to help others. She pursued that dream and became an oncology physician, dedicating her life to healing patients facing some of their toughest battles. But in her 20s, Angelie faced her own unexpected diagnosis—a hereditary condition discovered during a urinary infection that doctors told her would eventually require a kidney transplant.

Fast forward more than 25 years, and Angelie’s journey came full circle when she received the gift of life—a kidney that transformed her future.

Her story is not only one of medical triumph but also a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the incredible generosity of organ donors.

We also continue to honor National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month, celebrated each August. This vital initiative, led by the National Multicultural Action Group, works to promote a positive culture around organ, eye, and tissue donation—particularly in diverse communities that have historically been underrepresented in donation and transplantation.

 Whether you’re a donor, a recipient, a healthcare professional, or simply someone with a heart for others—this episode will leave you inspired and informed.

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In Episode 67 of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Yesenia Zaragoza — a proud Hispanic woman, a compassionate nurse, and a living kidney donor whose journey is as inspiring as it is impactful.

Yesenia’s story began while working with liver transplant recipients at Tampa General Hospital. Now part of the LifeLink of Florida team, her commitment to saving lives didn’t stop at the hospital doors. One day, while sitting in on a surgery, she overheard a conversation about living kidney donation — including how donors receive top priority if they ever need a kidney themselves. That moment led her to take action.

Motivated by the facts, her compassion, and her culture, Yesenia became a living kidney donor. In this episode, she shares her unique path to donation and how her heritage and profession both play a vital role in her advocacy — especially during National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month.

 Episode 67 is packed with insight, empathy, and a heartfelt call to action for communities of all backgrounds to say “yes” to donation.

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What inspires someone to donate a kidney to a complete stranger?

For Jeri Gill, it started with a viral YouTube video—a woman surprising her husband with a custom baseball card revealing she was his living kidney donor. That moment planted a powerful seed in Jeri’s heart. She couldn’t shake the thought: Could I do something like this for someone else?

A short while later, a Facebook post caught her eye. A woman was searching for a kidney donor. Jeri felt compelled to learn more… and what she discovered would change not only the life of that woman, but her own life forever.

In this deeply touching episode, Jeri shares her emotional and selfless journey from inspiration to action, from stranger to lifesaver. It’s a testament to the human spirit, the power of connection, and the incredible gift of life.

 A must-listen for anyone who believes in kindness, courage, and the ripple effect of doing good.

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In today’s heart-touching episode, we sit down with Kristin Worthen, a devoted mother with an incredible story of courage, faith, and unwavering love. Kristin shares the journey of her amazing son Theo, whose strength and resilience will inspire anyone who hears it.

At Kristin’s final ultrasound before giving birth, she received devastating news—Theo had a severe heart defect. What followed was a long, emotional journey filled with surgeries, hospital stays, prayers, and miracles. After enduring five heart surgeries, Theo’s life was saved by a heart transplant at just 7 years old.

Theo is a true warrior, and Kristin is a shining example of a mother’s love and determination. Don’t miss this powerful story of hope, healing, and the gift of life.

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Today’s story is one of remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and relentless advocacy that lights a fire in all of us within the transplant community.

We are honored to welcome Sierra Hill — a devoted wife, loving mother, passionate mentor, and fearless warrior.

After giving birth to her son, Sierra was diagnosed with severe heart failure due to peripartum cardiomyopathy. Her world shifted overnight, eventually leading to a heart transplant on November 12, 2023. But Sierra’s journey didn’t stop there — she is now facing severe rejection of her donor heart and has already been relisted for a second transplant.

Still, Sierra continues to rise.

She draws strength from her faith, her family, and yes — even her love for makeup — to push forward every day. She serves as a board member of the Georgia Transplant Foundation, mentors others at her transplant hospital, and uses her growing online platform to advocate for organ donation and peripartum cardiomyopathy awareness.

Through every challenge, Sierra’s voice remains strong and full of purpose. She’s on a mission to help others through her journey and unwavering will to survive — and she’s doing exactly that, right here on the show.

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