Born with Hemophilia A, a genetic bleeding disorder that impairs blood clotting, filmmaker Patrick James Lynch spent much of his childhood in hospitals and clinics. He was treated weekly and sometimes daily with IV-infused medicines derived from donated plasma. He discusses the reality of living with a life-threatening condition that depends on the generosity of strangers, breaks down misconceptions about plasma donation and reveals how the devastating loss of his younger brother fuels his advocacy work.
Then, one of the most selfless expressions of human generosity is organ donation. It’s also one of the most misunderstood processes in modern medicine, often clouded by myths like the false belief that doctors won’t work as hard to save an organ donor’s life. Dr. Joe Sirven speaks to a donor education coordinator and kidney recipient about her life-saving transplant and the responsibility that comes with taking care of a stranger’s final gift — one that is giving her a second chance at life. They discuss how organs are matched, why the need for more donors is so urgent and the myths that keep people from becoming organ donors.
Guests:
- Frederica Brown, organ recipient
- Jessica Scheidler Grossberg, public education coordinator, LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services