January is National Blood Donor Month! 

On episode 17, our hosts talk to four guests about our month-long blood donor promotion with Perry's Ice Cream. When you give a pint of blood, you get a pint of ice cream! This episode's hero story is special. You will hear from a member of the Perry’s team, who is also a donor dad and an amazing advocate of the ConnectLife mission. 

Thank you for tuning in to our first episode of 2021. Don't forget to subscribe and follow Invisible Threads.

There is so much misinformation out there about organ donation. It is important that people say yes, but it’s more important that people know the facts. So that is exactly what we’re going to do on this episode. On episode 16, our hosts talk to Amanda Habermehl, Manager of Hospital Development at ConnectLife and walk through the deceased donation process.

Because this is our last episode of 2020, we honor all of the local donation heroes from this year.

On episode 15, we talk about our annual Holiday Heroes campaign. Although this year, it looks a little different. Our hosts talk to guests Geoffrey Falkner, Vice President-Strategy & Marketing at YMCA Buffalo Niagara, Catherine Shick, Communications Director for FeedMore WNY, and Amanda Farrell, Director of BDS Recruitment at ConnectLife.

We honor a local hero - a ConnectLife blood donor, Alex Jordan. Join our Holiday Heroes campaign and donate blood with ConnectLife this December!

If you’re like most Western New Yorkers, you’re always looking for ways to give back to your community. Our hosts break down 4 ways to give back through ConnectLife.

1. Give Life
2. Give Time
3. Give Blood
4. Give Support

Every episode we honor a local hero, this episode's hero is organ, eye, and tissue donor, Tony Papp.

November is Eye Donation Month! Did you know that one cornea donor can give the gift of sight to two people? Our hosts talk to Dave Carlson, a two-time cornea recipient, and Mary Pfeiffer, Director of Eye and Tissue Services, about ConnectLife's work as an eye bank.

We honor a local organ, eye, and tissue donor hero, Hannah Kinkaid.

On episode 12, our hosts talk with guests Wendy M. Guyker, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor at UB’s Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology and Lea Sobieraski, liver transplant recipient, about how to cope with feeling of grief, guilt, anxiety, and depression.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out for help. Look for a counselor in your area or reach out to someone in your life that you trust. Also see below for resources suggested by both Lea and Wendy.

Podcasts for morning meditation:

• The Morning Ritual
• Molly’s Mornings (guided meditations and inspirational messaging) 
• Mindful in Minutes 
• Meditation Minis (great for calming anxiety, helping you overcome negative thinking and increase your confidence)  

Apps: 

• Insight Timer: An app for sleep, anxiety and stress.
• Motivation: You set how many positive motivations you want sent to your phone and during what times. You also get to choose what type of motivation you want. Free trial then a small fee*
• Action for Happiness: You receive simple, daily action ideas to help you boost your own well-being and spread more happiness to others. 

Books & Tools:

• Yogis in Science a local non-profit that Wendy is involved with – she's provided a link to free weekly yoga classes (currently on Zoom).
• Mindfulness and Yoga for Self-regulation: A Primer for Mental Health a book written by Wendy's colleague, Dr. Catherine Cook-Cottone, on yoga and mindfulness for self-regulation.
• The Five-Minute Journal: The journal requires only five minutes of thought each morning and night. You begin each day with setting intentions and asking yourself what would make today great end then circle back at night to discuss the days positive moments and how you can improve for tomorrow.
• Mindful Self-Care: free survey that Wendy and her colleague developed with results and resources automatically e-mailed to you.

Did you know there are 113,000 people across the United States waiting for an organ transplant? 10% of those waiting are right here in New York State.

On episode 11, our hosts talk with two guests - Aisha M. Tator, Executive Director at Donate Life New York State and Kevin Gramlich Senior Vice President of Organ, Eye & Tissue Services at ConnectLife. We discuss how we work together to honor the "yes" to organ donation in New York State.

On episode 10, you will hear the amazing story behind Team Fleetwood. Debbie, Emily, Mark, and Scott Fleetwood are our guests. We talk about the family’s journey through organ donation and transplantation, and how they are continuing that legacy of giving through blood donation.

Every episode we honor a hero, this episode we honor Scott’s anonymous organ donor.

On episode nine, we talk myths and misconceptions. If you heard it on a TV show or as an off-handed comment, it’s probably wrong. That’s why we are here to clear the air and tell you the truth about donation. Have you heard a myth you want us to discuss? Send it in to podcast@connectlife.org. Your myth might just get featured in our next episode.

Every episode we honor a local hero. This episode, we honor tissue donors, John and Rita McGrath.

On episode eight, our hosts walk you through what it's like to donate blood at a ConnectLife blood drive. We recorded this episode at New Era Field at our annual Buffalo Bills blood drive. We talk to Sue Roney, a member of ConnectLife staff, four blood donors, and Ashley Meganck, Director of Corporate Sales at Pegula Sports & Entertainment.

Every episode we honor a local hero, this episode's hero is blood donor, Kaitlyn Morris. Listen for our answer to our FIRST question submission from an Invisible Threads listener!