LOPA - Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency

06/05/2026

Episode 264 of The Gifted Life Podcast is now available!

Episode 264 of is now available!

On this episode, author Erin Mitchell Crawford shares her journey through loss following the death of her nine-year-old son, Hayes. Erin discusses her book, Held: 30 Days of Prayer Through Grief, which originated from her own raw prayers and reflections during her darkest moments. The conversation explores how faith provides a foundation when navigating heartbreak and emphasizes that grief, while personal, does not have to be solitary. In our Mental Health Moment, our hosts share how they personally interrupt a feeling of being stuck to break through moments of mental paralysis and return with a refreshed perspective. And then, honor Hayes Crawford as our Donor Hero, celebrating his life and legacy.

06/04/2026

We're proud to sponsor Team Louisiana - Transplant Games of America as they prepare to compete in the Transplant Games of America later this month.

Watch as heart recipient Jamie and Micha, Senior Liver Transplant & Living Donor Coordinator at Ochsner, share what the games mean to the donation and transplantation community.

https://www.fox8live.com/video/2026/06/04/lopa-transplant-games-america-team-louisiana/

06/02/2026

For many who have lost a parent, grief doesn't end when childhood does.

We wanted to share this free live webinar from grief expert David Kessler and Hope Edelman as a resource for anyone navigating the loss of a parent. The webinar takes place tomorrow at noon (CT), and registration includes access to the recording afterward.

If this speaks to your experience or may help someone you know, we encourage you to reserve a spot by visiting https://www.davidkesslertraining.com/early-parent-loss-event

1 in 9 or 10 of the people you work with lost a parent before age 25.

Most of them have never had anyone help them understand what that did to them. Most training programs don't cover it. Most grief models weren't built for it.

And yet it shows up everywhere. In the client who can't sustain close relationships. In the person who shuts down at certain times of year and doesn't know why. In the one who has done years of good work on themselves and still feels like something is unfinished.

For many people who lost a parent young, growing up without them is all they have ever known. It doesn't feel like grief. It just feels like life.

Hope Edelman has spent more than thirty years mapping this grief. On June 3rd, she's joining me to talk about it — free, live, one hour.

The Grief That Shapes Everything. I hope you'll be there. Link below.

https://www.davidkesslertraining.com/early-parent-loss-event

06/01/2026

In the donation community, love is love. Who you love doesn't change your ability to save lives through organ donation. Register your decision to be a donor at lopa.org/register and share your decision with your community and friends!

05/28/2026

"Eddie was the type of guy who made everyone smile. He had a larger than life personality and it seemed he knew EVERYBODY. Everyone LOVED Eddie!

He was a friend to all and always the life of the party. He had a servant's heart and would give anyone the shirt off his back, and probably his pants too. He loved his family more than anything; his wife and three daughters were his world and he made sure everyone knew it. When Eddie passed away on March 11, 2026 our world was turned upside down, but we rejoice in the fact that Eddie was able to donate his liver and kidneys to save three lives. Forever our hero!"

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a time to pause, reflect, and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Today, we remember their service, their courage, and the freedoms we enjoy because of them.

05/22/2026

In every episode of The Gifted Life Podcast, we take a moment to honor a donor hero and their legacy.

In this moment from the latest episode, we honor Carl Bourque, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, community leader, and “the most giving man” his wife has ever known.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBGInRp45Ys

05/20/2026

May is , a reminder that your brain is an organ too, and it deserves the same care and attention as the rest of your body.

Take time to check in with yourself, rest when needed, ask for help when you need it, and care for your mental health just like you would any other part of your well-being.

05/18/2026

Watch the latest episode of The Gifted Life Podcast on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBGInRp45Ys

05/15/2026

Thank you to all of the donor families and recipients who joined us for our Monroe Path of Remembrance. There were tears, laughter, hugs, and moments that reminded us all just how deeply connected we are through love, loss, hope, and remembrance. Seeing families come together, support one another, and leave with hearts a little fuller was something truly unforgettable.