What is The Unspoken?

The aim is to discuss everything not discussed when it comes to
donation and transplantation.

The series focuses on different topics, bringing in members from various areas of the donation and transplantation community to discuss their experiences, and help support and advise others in similar positions. The series hopes to raise awareness, encourage individuals to become organ, eye, and tissue donors, and provide support for those going through the transplant process.

Check out the upcoming topics and the previous episodes
from when the series was a webinar.

Find The Unspoken on any of the following platforms:

Click the logo to be taken right to the podcast on each platform.

Logo for The Unspoken Podcast featuring a vintage microphone, radiating orange and yellow rays, with the podcast name and tagline in a circular design.

Check out the newest episode of The Unspoken.

This episode explores the profound impact of eye donation, featuring heartfelt stories from donor families and insights from experts in the field. Anna is joined by donor family Leslie & Brad Vickers, as well as Staci from the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of eye donation compared to other organ donations, emphasizing the importance of early discussions about donation decisions. The episode also delves into the emotional journey of donor families and the life-changing effects on recipients.#LiveLifeGiveLife

Previous Webinars -

  • Promotional poster for a webinar titled 'Mental Health & Caregiving Webinar,' featuring photos of three women and topics about the side effects of caregiving, health importance, and coping strategies, with a colorful background and decorative elements.

    Mental Health & Caregiving

    Anna was joined by the lovely Riki Graves, Tammy Hinman and Abby Gray to discuss the importance of Mental Health and Caregiving. Enjoy an open and honest conversation about the pressures of caring for a loved one experiencing transplantation.

  • Poster for a live webinar titled 'Live Life Give Life', scheduled for April 30th, featuring stories from 2023 CKF Award winners about donation and transplant community, with photos of speakers and a donor recipient.

    2024 Live Life Give Life Webinar

    Our esteemed 2023 CKF Award Winners Dave Galbenski and Katrina Fountain joined us to share their journeys and experiences in the transplant and donation community. We discuss everything from receiving a transplant to becoming a donor and the CKF Awards!

  • Promotional poster for a Pancreas Transplant Webinar with a background of a blue medical grid, the title in bold black and blue text, and an illustration of a human torso showing the pancreas in pink.

    Pancreas Transplants

    Pancreas transplants are extremely rare, with under 1,000 completed in 2021 compared with over 25,000 kidney transplants. This often leads to a lack of information, knowledge, and support for those facing a pancreas transplant. We aim to change this as we delve into the world of pancreas transplants with our wonderful guests Jen Benson, Callie Dufault, and Glenda Daggert.

  • A promotional flyer for an intestines transplant webinar, featuring logos of Transplant Unwrapped, Hearts for Russ, and CKF's Webinar Series. The flyer highlights topics such as understanding intestine transplant diagnosis, navigation of the process, and post-transplant lifestyle adjustments.

    Intestine Transplant

    We sat down with three intestine transplants to discuss the ins and outs of an intestine transplant. We were joined by the sensational Swapna Kakani, Garrett Taira, and Wendy Ryan! A big thank you to this month's partners, Transplant Unwrapped. We dove into pre, during and post transplant.

  • An illustrated woman sitting cross-legged with a hat, surrounded by text about pregnancy post-transplant webinars, including topics like making the decision, pregnancy post-transplant, immunosuppression and pregnancy, and whether the transplant will affect the baby.

    Pregnancy Post Transplant

    Last year, during our Women in Transplant Webinar, we discovered that pregnancy post-transplant is a big question for our transplant recipients. This is why, in our most recent webinar, we sat down with transplant recipients Joelle, Debra, and Haley from the National Kidney Foundation as well as Lisa from the Transplant Pregnancy Registry. Take a listen as we break down some of the biggest questions surrounding transplant and pregnancy.

  • A promotional graphic for a medical talk webinar with text and a photo of a person holding a red heart-shaped object. The text includes webinar details and sponsorship acknowledgment by Hearts for Russ.

    Understanding the Medical Talk

    We are back with another webinar with you. This time, we are back looking through the lens of a recipient. We sat down with three transplant recipients and delved into this crucial topic. We were joined by Dr Alin Gragossian, Megan Muzer and Denise Redeker. Each had different transplant journies and experiences but had one thing in common: they had to learn to understand the medical talk.

  • Poster for CKF's Donor Families Webinar Series, sponsored by Hearts for Russ, featuring partners LiveOnNY and Taylor's Gift Foundation, with photos of four speakers: Tara Storch, Iiana Almanzar, Carol Hunt, and Katrina Erskin.

    Donor Families

    We sat down with volunteers from the Donation Community to discuss organ donation and the world of being a donor family. Join us as we discuss the donation process, resources available to support donors, and connecting with the community

  • Promotional graphic for CKF's Webinar Series titled "Minority in Transplant," featuring a dark blue background with colorful hands and a globe in the background. The webinar details include causes for higher risk among minorities, barriers in transplant, and community involvement, with a red "Watch Now" button and the Hearts for Russ logo at the bottom.

    Minority In Transplant

    Our CKF Intern, Calvin sat down with several members of the transplant community to discuss the importance of minorities in transplant. This webinar was recorded in honor of National Minority Donor Awareness Month.

  • An informational poster for a blood donation webinar, featuring a laptop with 'WEBINAR' on the screen, a blood drop with blood type labels, and text explaining the webinar topics.

    Blood Donation

    We were joined by three specialists from the world of blood donation! This webinar aims to explain to viewers the process of blood donation and dispel any myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic. Currently, only 3% of Americans donate blood annually, and over 16 million blood components are transfused yearly.

  • Promotional flyer for a webinar titled 'Finance & Transplant Webinar,' organized by Hearts for Russ and CKF's Webinar Series, featuring speakers Lauren Fusco, Sonny Mullen, and Rick Lofgren. The flyer includes topics such as the costs of transplantation, financial options for candidates, and the impact of donors on financial costs. It has icons on the left representing money, donations, and making a difference, and features photos of the speakers with their names and organizations.

    Finance & Transplantation

    This webinar aims to help transplant recipients and their families become confident in their financial position when experiencing a transplant. We want to introduce a few of the options available to them.

  • Poster for a webinar on mental health and transplant featuring photos of four speakers: Patrick Brett, Sharon Drost, Nichole Jefferson, and Randall Stafford, with topics on managing emotions, coping with guilt, and self-love after transplant.

    Mental Health & Transplant

    This webinar is being hosted in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month to shine a light on the struggles transplant recipients may experience throughout their journey. The webinar will feature several transplant recipients who will talk about their experiences and share their advice for others in the community.

  • Flyer for a life post transplant webinar featuring photos and names of three recipients, Tracy Copeland, Bill Soloway, and Jen Lentini, with event details and logos of Hearts for Russ and CKF's Webinar Series.

    Life Post Transplant

    We are delighted to have been joined by three incredible transplant recipients. This session discusses the post-transplant world and aims to inspire those going through the process.

  • Flyer for a webinar titled 'Myths and Misconceptions Webinar' hosted by Donor Alliance and Chris Klug Foundation. Features photos of three speakers: Leeann Skiver, Tissue Donor Coordinator; Bill Soloway, Heart Transplant Recipient; and Meredith McCurdy, Living Liver Donor. The flyer includes logos, whimsical dragon illustrations at the bottom, and information about Hearts for Russ, a charity for organ donation.

    Myths & Misconceptions

    We tackle some of the biggest myths surrounding organ, eye, and tissue donation as well as transplantation.

  • Promotional flyer for a webinar titled 'Transplantation and Housing' featuring photos of four women speakers with their names and titles, and details about the date, time, and registration.

    Transplantation & Housing

    This webinar highlights the importance of housing for transplant recipients and aims to help viewers navigate their pre, during, and post-transplant housing journeys.

  • Digital flyer for a webinar titled 'Life with a Liver Transplant'. It lists topics, date, time, and website, featuring a cartoon humanized liver character giving a thumbs-up against a blue abstract background.

    Life with a Liver Transplant

    This webinar focuses on liver transplants and the journey from beginning through life post-transplant. It looks at the good, bad and ugly that come with a liver transplant and how you can reach success after!

  • Promotional poster for a live-streamed webinar titled 'Living with a Recycled Heart.' The event will cover experiencing heart failure, heart transplants, and life changes after transplantation, scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 1:00 PM MST. The poster features heart drawings and logos for the Chris Klug Foundation and Hearts for Russ.

    Living with A Recycled Heart

    Life with a transplanted heart can be challenging, and this webinar aims to analyze the process and provide support and inspiration for those starting and continuing their journeys.

  • Illustration of human lungs with a green circular background and colorful bubbles, promoting a webinar on living life through a lung transplant, scheduled for May 12, 2022.

    Living through a Lung Transplant

    This webinar aims to support those going through a lung transplant and the challenges that come along with it.

  • Illustration of two children with backpacks, walking away, on a blue background with white dots, promoting a webinar on transplant siblings scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 1 pm MST.

    Transplant Siblings

    It can be hard to balance the needs of multiple children especially when one is a transplant recipient. This webinar aims to give families ideas and inspiration to deal with these pressures.

  • Bright green circle with white bold text reading 'Bounce Back Webinar' and the date '04/14/2022' on a pastel green background with multicolored confetti dots.

    Bounce Back Give Back

    We aim to share inspiring stories of transplant journeys with our viewers, and this webinar is just about as inspiring as it gets. Meet our 2021 Bounce Back Give Back Award Winners.

  • Flyer for Women in Transplant Webinar on March 8th at 11 AM MST with photos and descriptions of four women speakers: Hilary Baude, Dr. Karin Hehenberger, Lisa Coscia, and Sarah Granados, organized by Hearts for Russ, Chris Klug Foundation, Lyfebulb, and Transplant Life.

    Women in Transplant

    There are so many influential women in transplant, and the process can be very different for a woman vs. a man. This webinar aims to look at some of those differences and inspire women in the transplant community.

  • Text over a dark background with a photo of hands forming a heart shape around a lit candle, promoting a webinar about organ donation and religion.

    National Donor Sabbath

    Religion can play a crucial role in your donation and transplant journey, so we decided to host our National Donor Sabbath Webinar. CKF spoke with several faith leaders from various religions about the importance of organ donation, the stance of each religion, and how religion and organ donation can work together hand in hand.

  • Announcement poster for a Pediatric Transplant Webinar hosted by the Chris Klug Foundation, featuring photos and names of speakers Melissa McQueen, Dr. Margaret Bock, Jeanne Shields, Mazzy Noriega, and moderator Chris Klug.

    Pediatric Transplant

    Focused specifically on pediatric transplant, this webinar consisted of four panelists and highlighted these inspiring individuals and medical professionals within the pediatric transplant community.

  • Promotional graphic for a webinar titled "Living Organ Donation Webinar" scheduled for October 15th, 2020. The graphic features headshots of five individuals: Dr. Sanjay Kulkarni from Yale New Haven Hospital, Chris Klug, a liver recipient, Harold Mintz, a living kidney donor, Jordan Sarbaugh, a recipient's mother, and Sean Elliot, a former NBA-Spurs player and kidney recipient. The background has a blue grid pattern with web browser icons around the headshots.

    Living Organ Donation

    This was the second webinar in our 2020 Patient Ambassador series and it was all about living organ donation! Our four panelists came from diverse backgrounds within the transplant community and spoke of their own personal experiences with living donation. The discussion was followed by a Q&A session where viewers had the chance to ask their own questions on the subject and receive insight from our guest speakers.

  • Announcement for a webinar titled 'COVID-19 Vaccines + The Transplant Community Webinar' scheduled for January 26, 2021, at 10:30 AM ET / 7:30 AM PT, with logos of various supporting organizations at the bottom overlaid on an image of a syringe and medication vial.

    COVID-19 & Organ Transplant

    It's time for another Patient Ambassador webinar! CKF joined forces with the COVID-19 Transplant Coalition (which we are a part of!) to host our November webinar, focused on a hot topic that is especially important for transplant recipients and immunosuppressed individuals: COVID-19. The webinar took place on Nov. 19th and featured 3 guest speakers within the medical and transplant communities, moderated by our very own, Chris Klug.

  • Flyer for Caring for Caregivers Webinar with floral design, event details, and a logo in the top right corner.

    Caring For Caregivers

    When we think of organ transplantation, we tend to focus mainly on the people who require that transplant to save their life, while overlooking those closest to the patient who provide constant care and support to ensure their recovery. On June 17th, 2021, CKF highlighted these individuals—transplant caregivers—in our Caring for Caregivers webinar, where we spoke with caregivers of transplant recipients to hear their side of the transplant process.

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