Gift of Life

This week on Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Jamie “Zig” Merckx, a husband, father, outdoorsman, and fighter whose life changed forever in an instant.

What began as an ordinary day sitting in a hunting blind quickly turned into a battle for survival when Jamie suffered what many call “The Widow Maker” — one of the most serious and deadly heart attacks a person can experience.

What followed was a journey that pushed him to the brink of death more than once.

Jamie spent 88 days in the ICU, endured 9 major procedures, and spent a total of 102 days in the hospital before receiving the greatest gift imaginable — a life-saving heart transplant on December 19, 2019.

Throughout the darkest moments of his journey, it was the love of his family, the dedication of his medical team, and the support of those around him that carried him forward. There were moments when last rites were given and hope seemed distant, but Jamie’s story became one of perseverance, faith, resilience, and second chances.

Now, more than five years later, Jamie has turned his experience into a mission to help others through his book, When Calm Meets the Storm. Even more inspiring, every dollar from the book goes directly to support the Cardiac Pediatric ICU at American Family Children’s Hospital, helping families facing battles of their own.

This is one of the most heartfelt, emotional, and inspiring warrior stories we’ve had the privilege to share on the podcast.

Jamie’s journey is a reminder that even when life brings the fiercest storms, hope can still be found in the calm that follows

Jamie "Zig" Merckx's Book:"When Calm Meets the Storm

”Available now on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/0h9ed0bq

Let’s Stay Connected

Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com

Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.

BJ Odom’s Book

More Parts Than A Chicken Nugget — grab your copy today, available on Amazon in paperback and eBook formats.

If this episode touched your heart, help us spread the message:

• Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Share this episode with family and friends.
• Help us continue raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating second chances and new beginnings.

Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

This week on Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we are honored to welcome Richard Stowe, a devoted husband, loving father, respected high school teacher, and coach whose life changed forever when heart problems first appeared in 2017.

For years, Richard continued to pour his heart into his family, his students, and the athletes he coached, all while quietly fighting a battle that few could truly understand. As his condition gradually worsened, he faced the uncertainty, fear, and emotional roller coaster that so many transplant patients know all too well. Through every setback, Richard remained determined to keep moving forward, supported by the love of his family, his faith, and the hope that one day the call would come.

In 2025, that life-changing phone call finally arrived. Richard received the priceless gift of a new heart—a gift made possible by the incredible generosity of an organ donor and a family who chose hope in the midst of unimaginable loss.

Now beginning a new chapter of life, Richard shares what it was like to wake up with a second chance, the challenges of recovery, and the overwhelming gratitude he carries every single day. He also talks about attending this year’s Transplant Games, where he joined thousands of fellow transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, and supporters in a celebration unlike any other. Richard reflects on the friendships he made, the inspiration he found, and why the Games reminded him just how precious the gift of life truly is.

Richard’s story is one of perseverance, faith, resilience, and the incredible impact that one “yes” to organ donation can have—not only on a recipient but on countless lives that continue because of that selfless decision.

Whether you’re a transplant recipient, donor family member, caregiver, medical professional, or someone simply looking for a story that will inspire your heart, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Let’s Stay Connected:

Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com

Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.

BJ Odom’s Book

More Parts Than A Chicken Nugget — Grab your copy today on Amazon in paperback and eBook.

If this episode touched your heart, please help us spread the message.

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Share this episode with your family and friends. Together, we are raising awareness, honoring donor heroes, celebrating transplant recipients, and reminding the world that the gift of life is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.

Thank you for being part of our Gift of Life family. Your support helps us continue sharing stories that inspire hope, encourage organ donation, and celebrate the miracle of second chances.

This week on Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we welcome Hajnalka Morse, whose remarkable journey begins in Hungary, where she worked as a translator and met a young American soldier. Their love story led to marriage and a life of service as an Army family, moving from military base to military base across the country.

What began as minor health concerns during her college years slowly became something much more serious. As the years passed, each move meant finding a new cardiologist, starting over with new doctors, and facing fresh challenges while searching for answers. Eventually, Hajnalka heard the words no one ever wants to hear:

“You’re going to need a heart transplant.”

Despite the uncertainty, constant moves, and the emotional toll of living with advanced heart disease, Hajnalka never lost hope. Surrounded by the love of her family and strengthened by her faith, she continued moving forward one day at a time.

Then, during one of the most difficult seasons of her life, a book found its way into her hands—a book that would change everything. In this inspiring conversation, Hajnalka shares how hope can arrive when you least expect it, how faith carried her through life’s greatest challenges, and how the gift of organ donation gave her a second chance at life.

It’s a powerful story of resilience, love, family, faith, and the incredible impact of never giving up.

Heartfelt Laser Works

Looking for beautiful, handcrafted gifts with meaning? Visit Hajnalka’s Etsy shop:

Heartfelt Laser Works
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartfeltLaserWorks

I.C.U. God: (I See You God)
https://a.co/d/00wgLKL1

Let’s Stay Connected

Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com

Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.

BJ Odom’s Book

More Parts Than A Chicken Nugget is available now on Amazon in paperback and eBook. It’s a heartfelt story of survival, second chances, and the incredible people who made the journey possible.

If this episode touched your heart, please help us spread the message of hope and organ donation.

Subscribe to Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform

Share this episode with your family and friends

Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring organ donors and their families, and celebrating the gift of second chances.

Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.

n this inspiring episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we welcome Gina Marisa, whose transplant journey began at a very young age when she learned she would one day need a kidney transplant.

When the time came, her entire family stepped forward to be tested. In a beautiful act of love and sacrifice, Gina’s father became her living kidney donor—giving her the gift of life.

Now, more than 30 years later, Gina continues to honor that gift by giving back to the transplant community in a unique and meaningful way. After publishing her own book, she discovered a passion for helping other transplant recipients, donor families, and caregivers share their personal journeys through writing and publishing their own stories.

Gina's Links:

book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1964619688

Your Transplant Voice: 3-Day

Writing Circle: https://yourtransplantvoice.netlify.app/



Transplant Narrative Project: https://tnpwaitlist.netlify.app/



Private Facebook group, Organ Transplant Wellness: https://www.facebook.com/groups/779414664694015/

Social media (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/gina.marisa.581

BJ and Gina discuss:

Gina’s early diagnosis and kidney transplant journey

The incredible gift of receiving a kidney from her father

Life more than three decades after transplant

The healing power of sharing your story

How writing can inspire hope and encourage others

Why every transplant journey deserves to be told

Whether you’re a transplant recipient, donor, caregiver, someone waiting for a transplant, or simply believe in the power of hope and second chances, this conversation will encourage you to embrace your story and inspire others.

Let’s Stay Connected:

Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com

Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.

BJ Odom’s Book

More Parts Than A Chicken Nugget — Grab your copy today! Available on Amazon in paperback and eBook.

If this episode touched your heart, please help us spread the message.

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Share this episode with your family and friends. Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring organ donors, celebrating transplant recipients, and reminding the world that every donor has the power to save lives.

Thank you for being part of our Gift of Life family.

On this episode of Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast, we meet Brigid Bergan, a woman whose life has been shaped by courage, determination, and hope.

For more than 20 years, Brigid has lived with serious liver disease. Through countless doctor visits, treatments, and challenges, she has continued to push forward with strength and grace. But now, after two decades of fighting, her condition has progressed to the point where she urgently needs a liver transplant.

Today, Brigid is searching for a living liver donor with a blood type of A or O. While the road ahead is uncertain, she remains hopeful that someone will step forward and offer the incredible gift of life.

In this heartfelt conversation, Brigid shares her journey, the realities of living with chronic liver disease, the emotional challenges of waiting for a transplant, and the hope that keeps her moving forward each day. Her story is a powerful reminder of how organ donation changes lives and how one person’s decision can create a future for someone desperately in need.

If you have ever wondered about living donation, or if you’ve been looking for a way to make a life-changing difference, this episode will inspire you and show the profound impact that one act of generosity can have.

If you are blood type A or O and would like to learn more about helping Brigid, we encourage you to explore living donation and see if you might be able to give the gift that could save her life.

Links: Register as a potential donor - Donor Registration

UW Health transplant phone number (608) 263 1384

Facebook Page: ALIVER4Brigid https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D1Z512wr9/



Let’s Stay Connected:

Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com

Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

Listen and share on your favorite podcast platform.

BJ Odom’s Book

More Parts Than A Chicken Nugget – Grab your copy today! Available on Amazon in paperback and eBook.

If this episode touched your heart, please help us spread the message:

• Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Share this episode with family and friends.
• Help raise awareness about the life-saving power of organ donation.

Together, we honor donors, celebrate recipients, and give hope to those still waiting. Thank you for being part of our life-giving community.