Episode #24: Dorothy Ballard

Bobby Walker was a 20-year kidney recipient, enthusiastic ARORA volunteer and former ARORA employee. Sadly, Bobby passed away earlier in May; a great loss to Bobby’s family, friends and our state. We pay homage to our dear friend and former colleague by the re-airing of a RadiEight podcast recorded with Bobby in 2020. Host Audrey Coleman interviews Bobby Walker. Several years ago, Bobby experienced a fall through a glass table that could have cost him his life. Instead, the fall likely saved his life. While treating his injuries, doctors found something that might not have otherwise come to light. Bobby's kidneys were failing, and he was in need of a transplant.

Because this episode was such a hit, we wanted to share it again! Host Audrey Coleman interviews Jeana Jucha, family aftercare coordinator at ARORA and certified Grief Yoga teacher. Jeana shares how the tools of yoga and meditation can be used as fuel for transformative healing.

This time of year always makes us think of Yolanda Harshaw—who received the greatest Christmas gift, a heart from Melissa Owen, on December 25th, 2014. On this RadiEIGHT replay episode, Yolanda and Paul, Melissa's father, discuss this gift and the incredible link its created between these two families.

In this episode, members of the ARORA Communications department Michael Scott, Stacy Robinson, and Ayjah Johnson interview donor dad and ARORA's new CEO— Mark Tudor. Tune in to listen to Mark's personal connection to donation and his avid passion for saving lives. You can also access this episode by visiting the ARORA Facebook page. 

In this episode, host Audrey Coleman interviews Dorothy Ballard, a heart transplant recipient who recently celebrated 20 years with a healthy heart. Tune in to learn more about her story and journey of organ transplantation! 

In this episode, host Audrey Coleman interviews Keith Maddison, a donor husband, tissue recipient, former long-time ARORA employee and current ARORA volunteer. He shares his experiences and responsibilities as a volunteer, what has helped him navigate through the grief of his wife’s passing, and more!

Busy working mom JaJuan Chantele Williams speaks to RadiEight host Audrey Coleman about living with difficult diagnoses, dialysis, and being on the kidney transplant waiting list.

Doctors told young Whittney's mom that she had a 7% chance of recovery from an aggressive E-coli infection, but Whittney beat the odds. While she recovered from the infection, her kidneys were badly damaged, so she spent the early years of her life in dialysis three times a week at Arkansas Children's. A transplant at age 8 changed her life, and now she is a healthy adult. Host Audrey Coleman speaks to Whittney about her experience. 

This month’s podcast is a replay of host Audrey Coleman’s November 2020 interview with Dr. Teri Cox of Cox Consulting. The holidays can be a tough time for those who’ve lost a loved one. Dr. Cox talks about gratitude and giving thanks and how organ donor families and recipients can work through grief.

Host Audrey Coleman interviews heart donor recipient and author Pete Radigan. Pete was in end-stage heart failure and unsure whether he would live before receiving a transplant. His book, "Tragedy to Triumph -- The Story of Tom's Heart," was co-authored with Janet Mauk, the mother of his heart donor. It tells the donor family's story of finding purpose through organ and tissue donation following tragic loss, and the recipient's story of finding hope for a new life.