Join host Anna Morgan-Palardy as she sits down with CKF Executive Director Jessi Rochel and Chris Klug, founder of the Chris Klug Foundation, to explore his incredible journey from receiving a life-saving liver transplant to winning an Olympic bronze medal. In this episode, Chris shares his personal story of resilience, the mission of his foundation, and the impact of organ donation. Discover how Chris's passion for board sports and his commitment to giving back have inspired countless others. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about second chances and the power of community. #LiveLifeGiveLife

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🎙In this episode of "The Unspoken," host Anna Morgan-Palardy dives into the transformative world of organ pumps with Dr. James Trotter from Intermountain Health. 🎙

⚡️Discover how this groundbreaking technology is revolutionizing the field of organ transplantation, increasing the number of successful transplants, and reducing wait times for patients. Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of implementing organ pumps nationwide and the profound impact they have on both donors and recipients. Tune in to learn how these innovations are paving the way for a brighter future in transplant medicine.⚡️

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In this conversation, Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Michael Wells, team captain of Team Rocky Mountain, about the upcoming Transplant Games of America. They discuss the significance of the games, the emotional impact on participants, and the goals for Team Rocky Mountain. Michael shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of community engagement, and highlights inclusivity to Team Rocky Mountain. The conversation highlights the positive atmosphere of the games and encourages potential participants to get involved.

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In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, Anna Morgan-Palardy interviews Elaine Perlman, the executive director of Waitlist Zero, about the urgent need for kidney donations and the legislative efforts to pass the End Kidney Deaths Act.

Elaine shares her personal journey into the world of organ donation, the challenges faced by living donors, and the potential impact of the proposed legislation, which aims to provide tax credits to altruistic kidney donors. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support and advocacy in addressing the kidney crisis in America.

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In this episode of the Unspoken Podcast, host Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Brian Martindale, the Program and Communications Director at Kidneys for Kids. They discuss the importance of living kidney donation, particularly for pediatric patients, and the various initiatives aimed at raising awareness and advocating for organ donation. Brian shares his personal journey as a kidney donor and the impact of his work in recruiting donors for children in need. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in finding donors, the role of media in promoting organ donation, and the need for education and legislative efforts to support living donors.

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Anna is joined by the 2024 CKF Award Winners Mark Scotch, Denise Redeker and Abby Gray. They share their journeys and experiences joining and within the transplant and donation community. They share their experience as the CKF Award Winners and attending CKF's Wine & Dine Gala. Finally, they announced the winners of the 2025 CKF Awards!

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In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Dave Galbenski from the Living Liver Foundation about the importance of living liver donation. They discuss the mission of the foundation, the significance of raising awareness about living organ donation, and the personal experiences that drive advocacy. The conversation highlights the psychological aspects of being a living donor, the legislative efforts to support donors, and the future initiatives aimed at promoting living donation. The episode emphasizes the need for community engagement and the power of conversations in inspiring potential donors.

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In this episode of The Unspoken Podcast, host Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Paula from NMDP about the critical topic of stem cell donation. They discuss the importance of increasing the donor registry, the myths surrounding the donation process, and the personal journey of becoming a donor. Paula shares her own experience as a donor, the significance of diversity in the registry, and the support provided to donors throughout the process. The conversation emphasizes the need for education and outreach to encourage more individuals to join the registry and help save lives.

00:00 Introduction

01:01 CKF In The Brief

04:27 Introduction to NMDP and Stem Cell Donation

06:57 Understanding Stem Cell Donation and Its Importance

09:47 Debunking Myths About Stem Cell Donation

13:54 The Importance of Diversity in the Registry

17:39 Personal Stories and Experiences with Donation

22:09 Support for Donors and Overcoming Barriers

27:49 How to Register as a Stem Cell Donor

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