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!

Episode seven of Invisible Threads is dedicated to our heroes. Get to know the 13 heroes featured in our Virtual Walk to ConnectLife's Virtual Memorial Garden. We share their stories, and you'll hear from their loved ones, in their own words.

View the Virtual Memorial Garden here: ConnectLife.org/Walk

On episode six of Invisible Threads, our hosts speak with guests Kevin Gramlich, Senior Vice President of Organ, Eye & Tissue at ConnectLife and Wayne R. Waz, MD, Chief, Division of Nephrology and Medical Director, Kidney Center at Oishei Children’s Hospital. We talk about how world events of the past and the COVID-19 pandemic today have affected donation and transplantation locally in Western New York and across the country.

Each episode we honor our heroes. This episode’s hero is organ donor, Marques Anthony Barker. 

On episode five of Invisible Threads, our hosts discuss community blood donation. We talk with guests, Rosanne Schaller, blood recipient mom and blood donor, Frauke Stoffel, blood drive sponsor, and Amanda Farrell, Director of Blood Recruitment Services at ConnectLife. We discuss the constant need for blood donors in our community and blood donation in the times of COVID-19 and social distancing. Each episode we honor our heroes, this episode’s hero is blood donor, Sue O’Hara.

On episode four of Invisible Threads, we kick off National Donate Life Month with a game show! Our two contestants, Adam Sassone Director of WNY Operations for Governor Cuomo’s Office and Pat O’Brien from Lender Logix, go head to head in our first ever Trivia Game Show. Grab some friends and play along. Download our game here - questions & answers.

We honor organ donor, Michael Walter, and let you know how you can get involved in National Donate Life Month online celebrations including our 30 Day Challenge.

To keep up with everything happening at ConnectLife, follow @weconnectlife on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  To see how you can make an impact in your community, visit ConnectLife.org.

Still not registered as an organ donor? You’ve got to be kidney me! On episode three of Invisible Threads, our hosts talk about kidney health, kidney disease, and kidney translation with Jeremy Morlock and Barbara Breckenridge from the Kidney Foundation of WNY! You’ll also hear our answer to a question from our first listener submission.

For our hero portion, we are changing it up a bit! Barbara will share her amazing story 20-years post kidney transplant.

To keep up with everything happening at ConnectLife, follow @weconnectlife on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To see how you can make an impact in your community, visit ConnectLife.org.

On episode two of Invisible Threads, our hosts discuss the framing of organ donation in entertainment television, specifically the positive and negative impact these stories have on public opinion of donation and transplantation. Guests, Karen Swierski, Executive Director at JDRF, Nicole Knox, Director of Transplantation at ECMC and Parveen Minhas, ANP at ECMC help us understand what impact these organ donation storylines have on all of our lives. Each episode we honor a hero, this episode’s hero is organ donor, Kevin Thomas Grenier, Jr. 

To keep up with everything happening at ConnectLife, follow @weconnectlife on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To see how you can make an impact in your community, visit ConnectLife.org.

The Life Saving Soap Operas

Entertainment (Mis)Education: The Framing of Organ Donation in Entertainment Television