Transplant Talks

I didn't know it would help me too 💚 Maureen Carrig's living liver donation

🎙️In this episode of Transplant Talks, living liver donor Maureen Carrig shares the deeply personal story behind her decision to donate. After hearing about the critical need for pediatric liver transplants at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Maureen felt moved to act—and made her decision within just a few days. She describes the nerves of telling people, the weight of choosing something so life-altering, and the quiet certainty that kept her moving forward.
Maureen ended up donating to an adult and was one of the first donors at her center to undergo robotic right lobe donation using the Da Vinci system—resulting in tiny incisions that “look almost like pinpricks,” in stark contrast to the full midline incision co-host Rachel Davis experienced during her own donation. Together, Rachel and Maureen compare their recoveries: the upper back and shoulder pain from laparoscopic gas inflation versus the intense incisional pain of open surgery, and the shared challenge of overwhelming fatigue as their livers regenerated. Early recovery was difficult for both—walking even half a block was initially exhausting.
They discuss the emotional impact of donation, the importance of strong caregivers, and the unexpected ways the experience reshaped their lives. Rachel talks about feeling empowered by what her body could do, eventually running five half-marathons. Maureen reflects on how she has exchanged letters with her recipient, while Rachel has met hers in New Mexico. Both donors say without hesitation that they would do it again.
As Maureen puts it: “I thought I was doing something positive for someone else. I didn’t realize how much it would benefit me as well.”
For more information on organ transplantation:
https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org 
https://www.livingliverdonation.com
Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/american_transplant_foundation/  https://www.facebook.com/AmericanTransplantFoundation/  https://www.tiktok.com/@americantransplant  https://x.com/amertransplant
💚If you are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to Rachel.Davis@CUAnschutz.edu 

Dave's 397-Day Fight for Life

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🚁When flight nurse Dave lifted off for what seemed like a routine helicopter transport, he had no idea it would end in catastrophe. Moments after takeoff, the helicopter crashed—killing the pilot, leaving Dave with burns over 90% of his body, and injuring his partner, who managed to scramble out. Dave was airlifted once again—this time as the patient—to a burn center where doctors gave him a negative 140% chance of survival. After 397 days in the hospital, countless surgeries, dialysis, and the loss of circulation to his limbs, Dave defied every medical prediction. He spent 5½ months in a coma, waking up unable to move or speak—a nightmare come true for both him and his wife, Amanda, who is also a nurse. Amanda was by his side every single day, advocating, hoping, and helping him find strength when he couldn’t see it himself.
Dave’s first words were, “I want to die.” But the next morning, when he realized he could move and speak, he made a choice—to fight. From that moment, he and his wife built a path forward together. For nearly a year, Dave hovered at death’s door, facing every imaginable complication and losing half his body weight. When his kidneys failed, an acquaintance named Matt—“he barely even knew me, just knew my name”—stepped up as a living donor, giving Dave the gift of life once again.
Today, Dave and his wife are powerful advocates for burn survivors, living donation, and helicopter safety, determined that no one else should have to go through what they did. They’ve turned tragedy into purpose, finding meaning and grace in survival itself.
“It helps us heal every time we tell our story.”
“When you recognize you’ve been given a gift—you get to go forward.”
Now back to driving, hiking, and running rivers in an inflatable kayak, Dave continues to redefine what it means to survive—and to truly live.
Also listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yPv16c... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
For more information on organ transplantation: https://www.americantransplantfoundat... https://www.livingliverdonation.com
Follow us on social media:   / american_transplant_foundation     / americantransplantfoundation     / americantransplant   https://x.com/amertransplant

The Strength of My Scars - Dr. Maria Baimas-George

https://strengthofmyscars.com/
🎙️Today’s guest, Dr. Baimas-George, describes her transplant surgery fellowship as the hardest challenge of her career — one that brought her face to face with the full spectrum of organ donation, including the extraordinary commitment of living donors who undergo surgery they don’t medically need. She calls it “controlled mutilation” — a deliberate act of harm to the body, transformed into the gift of life for someone else.
Beyond the operating room, she is equally passionate about correcting myths and misconceptions around organ donation — like sensational claims that registered donors won’t receive full medical care. In reality, donation often brings patients and families profound comfort.
Her story also has a creative twist. During residency, Dr. Baimas-George began writing and illustrating children’s books to help young patients understand their procedures. When publishers weren’t interested, she proved the impact herself with a randomized controlled trial showing that her illustrated books reduced anxiety for kids and caregivers. Since then, she’s authored more than 40 books for children and adults, expanding her mission to tackle one of medicine’s biggest blind spots: health literacy. In the U.S., too many pamphlets and handouts are written at levels patients can’t easily understand — and in transplant, low health literacy leads to worse outcomes.
In this episode, Dr. Baimas-George reflects on the demands of transplant surgery and how creativity can make healthcare clearer and more humane for patients and families. 🎨🖌️⚕️
For more information on organ transplantation: https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/american_transplant_foundation/  https://www.facebook.com/AmericanTransplantFoundation/  https://www.tiktok.com/@americantransplant  https://x.com/amertransplant 
💚If you are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to Delaney@americantransplantfoundation.org💚

Four Kidneys, Endless Hope

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🎙️In this powerful episode of #TransplantTalks we hear from Kelsey, who was diagnosed with medullary cystic kidney disease at just 17 years old after routine lab work before college revealed she was already in kidney failure. Forced to delay college and begin hemodialysis, Kelsey's journey began with a selfless act from her father, Steve, who became her first kidney donor. When her body rejected his kidney—a devastating blow—Steve channeled his heartbreak into determination, launching a mission to find another perfect match. Kelsey’s path wasn’t easy. Her immune system rejected two more kidneys from living donors before a stranger, moved by a billboard sharing her need, donated the kidney that has now sustained her for nine years. Throughout it all, Kelsey’s resilience shone through. “I just had to keep pushing forward,” she says—a mindset that continues to guide her in her current role as a social worker in a dialysis center, supporting others through the same challenges she once faced. This episode is a testament to perseverance, family love, and the power of strangers to change lives.  
💚If you are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to Delaney@americantransplantfoundation.org.💚

Doctors, Depression, and Disclosure: A Conversation About Stigma

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Dr. Jeff Druck, an emergency medicine physician and Vice Chair for Faculty Advancement, Transformation, and Wellbeing at The University of Utah. Dr. Druck shares his experience with depression, including the months it took him to recognize that something was wrong, and the painful reality of having suicidal thoughts. He sheds light on the stigma that continues to silence many healthcare professionals and explains how his drive to continue practicing medicine ultimately kept him going.
Dr. Rachel Davis, psychiatrist at University of Colorado Anschutz and living liver donor, also opens up about her own experiences with OCD and depression, discussing the cultural and professional barriers that made it difficult to seek help. Together, they explore the complex intersection of burnout and mental illness, and the very real fears clinicians face about potential repercussions on licensure when they disclose a diagnosis.
Adding another dimension to the conversation, Anastasia Henry, Executive Director of the American Transplant Foundation and co-host of the Transplant Talks podcast, shares her insights into burnout among nonprofit professionals. She highlights the emotional toll of mission-driven work and the silence that often surrounds mental health challenges in the nonprofit sector. Anastasia emphasizes the importance of proactive stress management strategies.
https://www.vibrantlifeunlocked.com/newsletter/
This episode also touches on a disheartening reality: after reaching out to over 100 transplant professionals, not one felt safe enough to publicly share their own struggles with depression or other mental illness. Why is it still so hard to talk about this?
We dive into what needs to change—how to truly destigmatize mental illness in medicine and nonprofit work, and what institutions can do to support medical students, nonprofit professionals, and practicing clinicians alike.
💚If you are interested in sponsoring and episode, reach out to Delaney@americantransplantfoundation.org
https://drlornabreen.org/
https://drlornabreen.org/removebarriers
https://988lifeline.org  
https://www.fsphp.org/physician-suicide-prevention-resources
 

Kerre & Lola

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The day after her 50th birthday - also the day after she was convinced she was going to die - Kerre received the gift of life: a liver transplant. Her diagnosis was elusive, with her doctors suspecting Wilson’s disease, a rare condition that usually presents in childhood. Despite the uncertainty and the gravity of her illness, Kerre’s mindset never wavered. Kerre has been accused of having “toxic positivity,” but her optimism has served her well in life - as a senior executive and mother, and recently, through her diagnosis of end-stage liver disease and transplant journey. Now, she uses her experience to support and inspire others, and she’s become a passionate advocate for organ donation.
💚If you're interested in sponsoring the Transplant Talks podcast, please reach out to Delaney@americantransplantfoundation.org💚

Transplant in the Context of Migration - Ethical and Practical Challenges

In this episode, Dr. Sixto Giusti joins us for an important conversation about the critical yet controversial topic of transplantation in the context of migration, with a particular focus on undocumented immigrants in the United States. Sixto Giusti, MD, FASN is Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension and Director of the Hispanic Transplant Clinic.
The number of forcibly displaced people has been rising for the past two decades, reaching 117.3 million by the end of 2023. People flee their home countries due to war, violence, persecution, human rights violations, and public unrest, and mass migration presents significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Among these challenges, the impact of end-stage organ disease in migrant populations is profound, raising complex medical, ethical, and policy questions.
Dr. Giusti challenges several common myths surrounding transplantation in non-citizen U.S. residents, including:🔹 "They don’t contribute to the system, so why should they get access to organs?"🔹 "Allowing non-citizens into the transplant system will reduce access for U.S. citizens."🔹 "Non-citizens will have poor transplant outcomes due to inadequate post-transplant care."🔹 "Migrants are crossing the border just to seek transplants or treatment."
Drawing from global experiences in managing transplantation for refugees, Dr. Giusti explores how different countries approach organ allocation and provides insights into how Colorado is addressing healthcare access for non-U.S. citizens with end-stage organ disease.
Join us as we navigate the intersection of ethics, policy, and medicine, examining what is fair, what is financially responsible, and what the future holds for transplantation in migrant populations.
💚If you're interested in sponsoring the Transplant Talks podcast, please reach out to delaney@americantransplantfoundation.org💚
 
 

Transplantation in the Context of Migration - Ethical and Practical Challenges

🎙️leave a review: https://tinyurl.com/5bp9ytx 👍Don't forget to like and subscribe!In this episode of @TransplantTalks-Podcast Dr. Sixto Giusti of @CUAnschutz and @UniversityofColoradoHealth joins us for an important conversation about the critical yet controversial topic of transplantation in the context of migration, with a particular focus on undocumented immigrants in the United States. Sixto Giusti, MD, FASN is Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension and Director of the Hispanic Transplant Clinic. @CUAnschutzDOM The number of forcibly displaced people has been rising for the past two decades, reaching 117.3 million by the end of 2023. People flee their home countries due to war, violence, persecution, human rights violations, and public unrest, and mass migration presents significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Among these challenges, the impact of end-stage organ disease in migrant populations is profound, raising complex medical, ethical, and policy questions.Dr. Giusti challenges several common myths surrounding transplantation in non-citizen U.S. residents, including:🔹 "They don’t contribute to the system, so why should they get access to organs?"🔹 "Allowing non-citizens into the transplant system will reduce access for U.S. citizens."🔹 "Non-citizens will have poor transplant outcomes due to inadequate post-transplant care."🔹 "Migrants are crossing the border just to seek transplants or treatment."Drawing from global experiences in managing transplantation for refugees, Dr. Giusti explores how different countries approach organ allocation and provides insights into how Colorado is addressing healthcare access for non-U.S. citizens with end-stage organ disease.Join us as we navigate the intersection of ethics, policy, and medicine, examining what is fair, what is financially responsible, and what the future holds for transplantation in migrant populations. @americantransplant 💚If you're interested in sponsoring the Transplant Talks podcast, please reach out to delaney@americantransplantfoundation.org💚Also listen on @Spotify or @Apple podcasts:https://open.spotify.com/show/6yPv16c6bl9Al4oYs6Iqih?si=0db7c872ef9c42a2 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transplant-talks/id1775090608For more information on organ transplantation: https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org www.livingliverdonation.com Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/american_transplant_foundation/ https://www.facebook.com/AmericanTransplantFoundation/ https://www.tiktok.com/@americantransplant https://x.com/amertransplant

The Liver Lowdown with Dr. James Burton

In this episode of Transplant Talks,  @CUAnschutz  liver expert, Dr. James Burton talks with us about all things liver related. Have you ever wondered how alcohol leads to liver damage? Or if binge drinking is as bad as daily drinking? What about liver cleanses - are they any good? Is acetaminophen safe when you already have liver disease? How about ibuprofen? And much more! #hepatology #liverhealth  @americantransplant 
Alcohol-related health tools:
https://auditscreen.org/check-your-drinking/ 
https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/php/online-tools/index.html
For more information on organ transplantation: https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org https://www.livingliverdonation.com
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/american_transplant_foundation/  https://www.facebook.com/AmericanTransplantFoundation/
https://www.tiktok.com/@americantransplant
https://x.com/amertransplant 

The Liver Lowdown with Dr. James Burton

In this episode of Transplant Talks, @CUAnschutz liver expert, Dr. James Burton talks with us about all things liver related. Have you ever wondered how alcohol leads to liver damage? Or if binge drinking is as bad as daily drinking? What about liver cleanses - are they any good? Is acetaminophen safe when you already have liver disease? How about ibuprofen? And much more!#hepatology #liverhealth @americantransplant Alcohol-related health tools:https://auditscreen.org/check-your-drinking/https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/php/online-tools/index.htmlAlso listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yPv16c6bl9Al4oYs6Iqih?si=0db7c872ef9c42a2 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transplant-talks/id1775090608For more information on organ transplantation: https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org https://www.livingliverdonation.com Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/american_transplant_foundation/ https://www.facebook.com/AmericanTransplantFoundation/ https://www.tiktok.com/@americantransplant https://x.com/amertransplant