Pgm #55: Sharing Your Transplant Story: One Example

Jim Gleason is a veteran of transplant story telling with over 350 talks given over just the past 7-1/2 years with an audience count of 50,000+ (he’s been promoting the success of transplant with his story since 1995, urging audiences of all types and sizes from coast to coast to register as an organ donor). In this example he is sharing post-transplant life with medical professionals, operating room staff, at the hospital that made his heart transplant a success in October of 1994, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. It is offered here to give fellow presenters one example of how to fully engage their own audiences, with emotional tears and laughter, offering special thanks for the work they do for each one of us. (Note: OPO hospital coordinator, Amy Martiner, offers her 15 minute presentation before the recipient presentation which starts at the 15 minute marker)

Jim Gleason, BS, MA received his heart transplant October 19, 1994. After retirement from the IT industry in 2005 following a successful 40 year career, Jim serves as national president of TRIO, committee and board member for UNOS, along with several other volunteer groups. Jim is an author and speaker, links for which can be found on his personal web site at http://gleasonjim.com