In this moving episode, BJ Odom sits down with Brian Pitts, whose journey through heart disease and transplant is both harrowing and inspiring. Like so many others, Brian had no idea he was living with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)—until one life-changing day at a family wedding when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest.

After being rushed to the hospital, Brian’s short-term memory was deeply affected—he found himself repeatedly asking, “Why am I here?” Doctors inserted a defibrillator to stabilize his heart, beginning a long and difficult road to recovery. Eventually, Brian received his life-saving heart transplant, and today, he embraces each day as a gift.

Now, with renewed strength and gratitude, Brian dreams of one day sailing around the world—a powerful reminder that second chances aren’t just about survival, but about living life to the fullest.

Brian Pitts links

YouTube Page @DonateLifeBoat

Heart Transplant Support on facebook

Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com

Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

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BJ Odom’s inspiring memoir:

More Parts Than A Chicken Nugget

A Story of Survival, Second Chances, and the Family That Held Me Together

Grab your copy today: https://a.co/d/gNgC9jO

Available in paperback & eBook on Amazon

If Brian’s story touched your heart, please help us spread the message of hope and organ donation awareness:

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review

Share this episode with friends and family

Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.

This week, BJ sits down with Tim Andrews, a true pioneer in the transplant world and an inspiration to anyone who believes in the power of science and second chances.

Tim made medical history as the longest-living person with a pig kidney transplant, thriving for nine incredible months before the organ was removed. His story reads like science fiction — but it’s 100% real. Now, Tim is once again waiting for a miracle: a living kidney donor.

Despite being back on dialysis, his spirit remains strong, his humor intact, and his message clear — hope and innovation can change lives.

If you or someone you know would like to see if you can help Tim, please visit the Mass General Hospital website at www.massgeneral.org for more information.

Tim’s blood type: O positive.

Let’s find Tim a kidney and keep this incredible story going.

Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com

Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

Listen & Share: https://lnk.to/GiftofLife

More Parts Than A Chicken Nugget

A story of survival, second chances, and the family that held it all together.

Grab your copy today: https://a.co/d/gNgC9jO

Available in paperback & eBook on Amazon.

If this episode moved you, help us spread the message.

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review.

Share this episode with your family and friends.

Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.

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

This week, we meet Jimmy Tolleson, a preacher from Alabama whose journey to a new heart is a powerful testimony of faith and endurance.

Jimmy’s story began at just 16 years old, when he started experiencing chest pains. Despite repeated reassurances that his heart was fine, his symptoms continued for decades—until, at age 51, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio discovered the truth. There, he underwent his first open-heart surgery, beginning a long road toward survival.

Years later, Jimmy received his life-saving heart transplant at St. Thomas West in Nashville, Tennessee. But his journey was made even more heartbreaking when his wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer—right as Jimmy was being placed on the transplant list. Balancing his own fight for life while saying goodbye to the love of his life tested his faith in unimaginable ways.

In this emotional and inspiring conversation, Jimmy shares how he found strength through faith, community, and the incredible gift of organ donation.

Email: giftoflifepodcast@gmail.com

Website: www.giftoflifepodcast.com

Facebook: Gift of Life – The Organ Transplant Podcast

Listen & Share: https://lnk.to/GiftofLife

BJ Odom’s Memoir: More Parts Than a Chicken Nugget

Grab your copy on Amazon — available in paperback and eBook!

If Jimmy’s story touched your heart, please help us spread the message:

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

Share this episode with friends and family.

Together, we’re raising awareness, honoring donors, and celebrating new beginnings.

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