From Loss to Life: One Family's Legacy is Organ Donation

Can a tragic loss transform into a legacy of life? Join us for an emotional journey with Brad Barroso, Founder of Trevor's 2nd Chance, as he recounts the story of his son Trevor, whose selfless decision to become an organ donor saved three lives after he succumbed to an asthma attack in 2018. Through Brad's heartfelt narrative, we uncover the emotional hurdles his family faced and the significant role Sierra Donor Services played in turning grief into life-saving action.

Our conversation extends to the evolution of Trevor's Second Chance Foundation, a testament to the Barroso family's resolve to honor Trevor's legacy. The foundation's mission is to champion organ donation awareness and support. By engaging in speaking events and collaborating with healthcare professionals, the foundation strives to educate others about the life-changing impact of organ donation and provide much-needed support to families navigating this journey.

Explore the power of community as we discuss how partnerships are crucial in sustaining the foundation's efforts. Dive into innovative strategies aimed at building a nationwide support network for donor families, emphasizing the need for volunteers, funding, and resources. With Brad's family playing a vital role in this mission, we celebrate their contributions and reflect on the ripple effect organ donation has in transforming loss into hope and continuity of life.

You can find more about the organization on the website HERE

To learn about the organ donation process, visit Sierra Donor Services HERE

With thanks to the support from ASEA Global.

Chapter Summaries 

(00:00) The Impact of Organ Donation
Organ donation's impact on three lives, family's emotional journey, Sierra Donor Services' role, and connections with recipients.

(09:07) The Journey of Organ Donation Advocacy
Organ donation journey, founding of Trevor's Second Chance Foundation, supporting young athletes, raising awareness through speaking engagements.

(15:36) Building Collaborative Relationships for Organ Donation
Collaborative efforts with hospitals and ASEA Global sustain our mission to support donor families.

(18:55) Providing Support Through Organ Donation
ASEA Global directs 10% of sales to fund organ donation, creating a support network for families and raising awareness for the importance of donation.

(31:11) Family Support in Organ Donation
Brad's family joins us to celebrate and support our nonprofit organization, while also commemorating Carol's birthday.

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

Transcript

Brad Borosso: [00:00:00] There were two paths that we could go down was to either donate the organs and help someone else. Mm-hmm. Because our son was now moving on or say no to helping somebody else, and that was not who Trevor was. He really wanted to change the world. He really thought about that a lot, and it's created quite the ripple effect.

jeff Holden: Hi, I'm Jeff Holden. Welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. Our purpose and passion is to highlight a nonprofit organization in each weekly episode, giving that organization an opportunity to tell their story in their words, to better inform and educate the respective communities they serve, as well as provide one more tool for them to share their message to constituents and donors.

Our goal is to help build stronger communities [00:01:00] through shared voices, and to both encourage and support the growth of local nonprofit organizations through podcasting. Thanks to our partners for their support in getting these stories Told

cAPTRUST fiduciary advice for endowments and foundations and Western Health Advantage, a full service healthcare plan for individuals, employer groups, and families. The sudden and unexpected death of anyone is always traumatic, but even more so when it's a young, healthy, vibrant, and dynamic person one could never imagine passing away.

In this episode, I'm speaking with Brad Barroso on how his family has transformed their grief over the loss of their son, Trevor, into a powerful mission of hope and advocacy for organ donation. Following Trevor's Sudden death from an asthma attack in 2018, his choice to become an organ donor saved three lives, a legacy that sparked the creation of Trevor's Second Chance Foundation.

Through challenging conversations, Brad shares the emotional [00:02:00] journey his family endured and their ongoing commitment to supporting other families navigating organ donation. The episode highlights the foundation's efforts in raising awareness, providing emotional and logistical support, and building community partnerships to sustain their mission.

There's encouraging progress in the organ donor benefits as 2024 represented the highest annual total ever with 132 transplants averaged per day. That's a nearly 4% jump over the year prior and we can do better. There are over 100,000 people on the transplant waiting list and sadly, 13 people will die each day while waiting to date.

Approximately 60% of eligible adults are registered organ donors. Join us as we celebrate Trevor's enduring legacy and the Barroso family's dedication to generosity over grief. Brad Barroso, welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. Thank you for inviting me in. As we get started on this [00:03:00] conversation, which is truly a sensitive one, it involves deep personal loss, if you would share with us what the situation is.

That brought us to this point and actually to this conversation. 

Brad Borosso: Sure. 2018 ended up losing our son Trevor, to an asthma attack. And fortunately, I think the only thing that came out of it that was, or one of the few things that came out was positive was he was an organ donor. Mm-hmm. So there's three people alive today because of his donations.

How old was Trevor? He was 26 years old. 

jeff Holden: Okay. So, so young. With some really vibrant, healthy organs as well. 

Brad Borosso: Very healthy, great shape. Had asthma since he was about three years old and unfortunately just kind of stopped taking it seriously as he got older. Kind of like thought he was invincible, kinda like I did at 26, I think, and, uh, wasn't taking it quite as seriously, seriously as he should have.

jeff Holden: I don't think that's uncommon. [00:04:00] I mean we, no, 

Brad Borosso: not at all. I think at that age you kind of think we're invincible and Right. Matter of fact, 10 days before I had gone and met with him, his fiance at the time and said, Hey, he really needed to get some help. And I had taken him for a treatment 10 days before and kind of got a little upset at him.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: And, uh, wished he would be taking better care of himself at the time. So 

jeff Holden: did he volunteer the organ donation himself or was it a. An event that presented itself because he was so young. 

Brad Borosso: It was an event that presented itself. 

jeff Holden: Okay. 

Brad Borosso: He and I had a lot of conversations about changing the world when he was younger, and although, um, we didn't have a license with the typical stamp on it, we knew that's what he would want.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: And so we made that decision at the hospital. 

jeff Holden: That decision had to be. I don't even know if I would say as difficult because you see the good that it's going to do. So I think there's a lot of just emotional [00:05:00] challenge in making the decision. How was it for you as a family to decide? 

Brad Borosso: It was two outcomes?

You know, there were two paths that we could go down was to either donate the organs and help someone else. Mm-hmm. 'cause our son was now moving on. Or say no to helping somebody else, and that was not who Trevor was. He really wanted to change the world. He really thought about that a lot, and it's created quite the ripple effect.

jeff Holden: In the process of deciding or even the orientation of that decision, was that one that was being made by the family bedside or did the hospital originate the conversation? How does that even happen? 

Brad Borosso: So the, there's no conversation with the family until there's a determination. The, the opportunity or the possibility of organ donation comes up after that event.[00:06:00] 

And I remember specifically at the time, my wife's, uh, brother was there, and I remember going to him and saying, I, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to decide. I, I'm not in the right mind. I'm, I'm aware enough to know mm-hmm 

jeff Holden: that I'm 

Brad Borosso: not in a good place. Can someone please go check and see if this really is final?

Is there another option? You know, should we leave Trevor on life support? What, you know, what should we do? 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: And I don't remember the amount of time that went into that, but, 'cause we were there at the hospital for three days during this process. But it came back that there was no other option for Trevor as far as him, you know, coming back from the brain injury that he had.

Mm-hmm. So it, it left us just really in our minds, one decision. Okay, so now let's move forward. And at that point, Sierra Donor Services, which is the company, the intermediary between the hospital and the families stepped in. And we met a, a gentleman by the name of Sean Davies, who was fantastic. [00:07:00] We've stayed in touch, um, over the years, and they helped with the transition, the information.

They really guided us through the process. Mm-hmm. 

jeff Holden: And were 

Brad Borosso: there to support 

jeff Holden: at that point in time. Again, for the benefit of the people who are listening who may have this opportunity to help them better understand what this process looks like, do they at that point then ask the questions about specific organs or is it just, if you are an organ donor, everybody part that could be repurposed for the benefit of somebody else is.

Brad Borosso: You have the option. 

jeff Holden: Okay. 

Brad Borosso: Total organ donation, that's possible. Mm-hmm. Which is what we chose. You can select which organs that you want to donate. Not only did Trevor have a, a heart recipient, but a pancreas and kidney and liver and kidney. But also there were cornea skin, there were some other things that were donated as well.

As much as could be harvested [00:08:00] was harvested. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: So, yeah, you have a, an option on what you choose. 

jeff Holden: Okay. And you mentioned. That there were three beneficiaries that you've actually had the opportunity to at, at least converse with, if not meet, right? 

Brad Borosso: Yeah. So the way that process works, the family decides, so we decide whether we want to reach out, we reach out to a third party.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: And then they reach out to the recipients. And if the recipients decide to respond, which not all do, we found out. I can appreciate that. Yeah, I can understand that. We were fortunate. All three did. One who just had a birthday a few days ago. Actually his heart recipient we're still in constant contact with the other woman, Sheila Pell.

We still talk with her, you know, infrequently, but once in a while. And then the third party wanted to be anonymous, but they did get back to us to tell us that everything was going well and that they were appreciative. 

jeff Holden: Third party, how wonderful. What an experience. And I, I did see on the website you have a picture of meeting.

One of the people, I believe that's a [00:09:00] gentleman with a heart. Heart, yeah. 

Brad Borosso: Great guy. 

jeff Holden: Yeah. And I, I don't know if I shared this with you at the time when we first spoke, but you had sent me an email through the website with an interest in doing an episode. Mm-hmm. And concurrent to that, almost the same week, a friend of mine had just had a heart transplant.

Told me. Yeah. And, you know, serendipitous, if nothing else and right. He had never thought in a million years that anything like that would happen. But his appreciation and now his awareness mm-hmm. Of organ donors is completely different. Right. He's alive because of one. Right. And you know, I thought, wait, people don't know this, and here we are, first person, somebody I know directly.

Brad Borosso: Right. 

jeff Holden: Just was the recipient. People need to be more aware both ways, 

Brad Borosso: and I think one of the things I've found through this process is that. And I tell people this, it's much more likely that you are gonna know someone who needs an [00:10:00] organ than the possibility of you ever donating one of yours. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm.

Brad Borosso: Because other than a kidney, which you can still donate one, right? Mm-hmm. A brain, I mean, excuse me, a heart and lungs and those types of things, you need to pass away in such a manner, right? That they can be harvested. Right? Which is very, very rare, like 1% of the chance of you being able to do 

jeff Holden: that. And, and at this age, nobody wants this stuff.

There's no, 

Brad Borosso: there's nothing. Well, I think the oldest, uh, the oldest donor I think was in her nineties as I recall. Oh my gosh. It was a cornea donation, I believe it's been a number of years since I heard that story, but, so there's still skin and other things. Even older ages. 

jeff Holden: I didn't know that. Mm-hmm. Well see, we just shared something else that many people are not gonna be aware of.

Brad Borosso: Yeah. Yeah. 

jeff Holden: There's really two core tenets when you go through this process. The first one is the technical part of it, the, the harvesting of the organs and the distribution of the organs and right, and all that. The second part of it [00:11:00] is, is really that emotional part of coming to the conclusion that this is what we're going to do.

Could you walk us through that in terms of how you went through that? Because it happens. Very quickly 'cause you can't wait. Mm-hmm. You know, they, they need the organs mm-hmm. To be healthy. And duration I'm sure is not good in terms of time. Right. So maybe touch on, on both. 

Brad Borosso: Yeah. The, the mechanics of it, there's a list and just a little background as far as list, California has around 23, 20 4,000 people waiting for organ donor.

Mm-hmm. Donation. And about a third of them will pass away on the list. Okay, so there's a, a big need for organ donation. Uh, I believe it's around 90% are kidneys that people are in need of. So from mechanical standpoint, what happened during those days is that we made the decision to move forward and everybody kind of jumps in and starts their process.

I remember being up one night and [00:12:00] they're, they're literally flying blood samples to a, some of the possible recipients, making sure that it's still a match. It's gotta be a match still. Mm-hmm. Even though it wasn't a match prior to. There's a lot of stuff going on in the background prior to the actual surgery, and then as far as the emotional side of what we're going through at that point, it, it's kind of a whirlwind, Jeff, to be honest with you.

As you can imagine, there's a lot of stuff going through and you look back on it and it's, for me, it was just kind of being in the, okay, something good is gonna come out of this mode. Mm-hmm. There was one night where literally giving Trevor CPR because. They were saying that he may not survive, you know, to get to the, to the surgery.

And I was like, that's not an option. There's gonna be something good that's gonna come out of this. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: And so you kind of jump into the, just, just do it mode. And then there's not a lot for us to do emotionally except be there for each other and support. And that's where part of the [00:13:00] first thoughts I think of the foundation came up.

There was a gentleman in the next room that no one came to see him in the ICU. And I remember being, there's a lot of downtime, as you can imagine while you're there. We literally broke the door off the ICU with all the people that came to see Trevor, and here was this one gentleman. I just remember how sad that was.

And that was kind of the first start of how can we help, you know, when people are going through the worst part of their lives. You know, obviously in many cases. So that was a lot of the emotional stuff was just kind of getting into action a little bit. Mm-hmm. And maybe it's my personality. We all handle grief, I think, in different ways.

I can tell you that after that, I melted down probably for three days straight. 

jeff Holden: Sure. 

Brad Borosso: Right. So it's just kind of jumping into action and then, then after the donations, there's not much for us to do. It's just kinda waiting to see. If they went well. So there was that part of it. 

jeff Holden: And they do report back to let you know that the recipients did receive and some sort of an update.

Brad Borosso: Very [00:14:00] limited with hipaa. I mean there's very, I would imagine Yeah, yeah. Obviously no names or who they are or even where they live or any of that type of information is shared. It's us reaching out. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: And, and asking and them basically responding and saying, well, we'll let you know what we can, and, and if they decide to respond.

And a lot of people don't respond for a while 'cause they wanna make sure that. They're okay. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. You can 

Brad Borosso: imagine being on the other side of this, the gentleman with the heart, this was his final option, right? He had gone through years and years and so he was trying to make sure he was gonna be okay, you know, before he reached back out.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: So, yeah, so from emotional standpoint, you know, there's just a lot of waiting and, and then, and then there's a preparation, you know? So now you've got someone that you weren't expecting to have to lay to rest, and you've got that hole. Right. The processes should kind of jump into and just start doing next.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. You mentioned some good to come out of this, and not only did you have a physical good that [00:15:00] was demonstrated in three other lives mm-hmm. But you've now got the foundation. Mm-hmm. Trevor's Second Chance Foundation. Mm-hmm. Give us the why behind the foundation, 

Brad Borosso: the why. There are a couple reasons.

There's a couple why's. One was to keep Trevor's name alive. He. Like I, like I said, I keep saying he, but he really wanted to change the world and this was a way that we could continue to honor that goal. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: Was to help other people and help other people live. So in our thoughts of putting all this together, what could we do to honor him?

And the foundation started 'cause he was a big athlete. We started really by putting kids in sports camps. And it wasn't until just recently we, we got away from that and we'll do that personally. But we found that there was more of a need in this space in organ donation. So we kind of pivoted a little bit.

Mm-hmm. And said, okay, we're just gonna stay focused on one mission, one thing, and let's see how many people we can get out and talk to. First of all, because there's so little knowledge about organ donation. [00:16:00] And then how can we help, how can we build a foundation, raise money and awareness at the same time to then help families that are going through it.

Mm-hmm. We were fortunate, you know, that we had some means to go through it, not have to be worried about work and jobs and all that, and kind of get through. A lot of people don't have that. Right. And that's the other part of the foundation is trying to provide that financial assistance, even if it's just pointing people.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. To 

Brad Borosso: other places where they can get assistance along the foundation. 

jeff Holden: And those are some of the things that you can find through the organization, through Trevor's. Second chance is direction, outreach, emotional support, and even connection to. The transport company. Sierra. Sierra. Donor Services.

Donor Services, yeah. 

Brad Borosso: Wanna volunteer and help? 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. You also speak? Mm-hmm. And. You speak on the topic mm-hmm. To various organizations. Who do you speak to? [00:17:00] 

Brad Borosso: Actually, my wife and I both go out and speak. We go to Sierra Donors. A lot of the hospitals will go and speak. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: We'll talk to, so here's one aspect of it, is that we'll go talk to the nurses, the ICU nurses, doctors, and even some of the staff from our perspective.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: And the benefit that they're providing. We talk about how they change the world every day, and so we go and speak. They ask us to come and speak to mostly those groups. We will share from our perspective what a benefit organ donation is as opposed to the alternative. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. And 

Brad Borosso: point out to them.

'cause a lot of 'em are apprehensive. There's a perception out there that these hospitals are just trying to get your organs and not help you live, which is entirely the opposite. Right. But when you're under that stress, you can start to see how people would think that. If I start talking about organ donation or if I put that on my, my driver's license, they may not want to help me.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. Right? 

Brad Borosso: They may just wanna harvest my organs, and so we go out to try and dispel some of that. We'll go out and speak in front of [00:18:00] anyone, you know, anyone who wants help, anyone in the community that wants us to come and talk, then we're open to do it, you know, as time allows, 

jeff Holden: in the time that you've been doing this.

What sort of collaborative efforts do you find? Who are the people you tend to gravitate toward? Who do you work with? Who do you speak to? 

Brad Borosso: A lot of hospitals. Like we've done rounds with some of the local hospitals. Ah, ah, yep. So we'll actually walk through the ICU, introduce ourselves, talk to the nurses.

There's a process that they've been working on and, and fine tune it to a lot of the hospitals because there's a timing to it as well. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: So someone is potentially gonna be a donor. Then they, they switch over into becoming now a or a donor. 

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: And so there's a timing to it and a process. So we come through and we'll go and talk with those folks about our experience and here's what happened with us as a family to help them be a little more comfortable, I think, in the process and see the benefit.

And I know we've had, you know, a fair amount of people that nurses and I could never [00:19:00] do what they do, but literally break down in hearing our story and, and they start to realize. What they're doing part of their job. Right. How it affects 

jeff Holden: mm-hmm. 

Brad Borosso: And how it affects so many people so wide. 

jeff Holden: So yeah. Even to the point of some of the most challenging moments of sadness Right.

To where that can be converted to benefit and opportunity and, and life. Right. You know, in passing, which I, I think that's where we had hung up easily on it. 

Brad Borosso: Mm-hmm. 

jeff Holden: But. Understandable for sure. Oh yeah, absolutely. Which is why you're doing what you do. Yeah. Are there other organizations, nonprofits, maybe bereavement or, or hospice or anything like that that you've had the ability to connect with?

Brad Borosso: Not yet, and it's really been a time thing. Sure. You know, I still have a, a full-time career, and so I'm building this as quickly as we can. I think there's other possibilities, like you and I have talked about. There's some other organizations that I've worked with in the past that I think could really light a fire.

To this, um, [00:20:00] it's just the time, having the time to do it. 

jeff Holden: And you, you did mention something there relative to, you know, the ability to get to the necessary and or more people because it rolls into, since it's, it's you, it's volunteer and I'm assuming you probably have a few other people who help along the way in terms of things that you might do.

Mm-hmm. How are you funding what you're doing now or how do you see the funding coming for the benefit of those families that do need support? 

Brad Borosso: Yeah. Primarily it's self-funded. We have had some friends and families and others that have, you know, donated some money, but our goal was to always fund the foundation by not going out and, and looking for money and asking for money.

Mm-hmm. It was something that was important to us when we were, we were looking at how we were gonna structure this, and so, like we talked about it, it's more of a. You know, Tom shoes, bombas sock type of deal. And about a year ago we formed a relationship with a company called AEA Global, and they have a health and wellness for for the benefit.

That's A-S-E-A-A-S-E-A global global. [00:21:00] So they're a health and wellness company and there was a lot of serendipity in making this choice not only their ethos as a company, but ironically the land that their corporate office sits on. My ancestors used to own some of the people that started the company I have some connections with through Friends of Friends and, uh, they just, it was a great fit.

Mm-hmm. Took us a while to find them, but it's been a great fit. So 10% of sales from a C global go to help fund the foundation. Okay. So that's part of our growth strategy. As opposed to grants and fundraising, which we will do, some of it's to try and provide products of value that they can then fund the foundation.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. And the better they do, the better you do. Exactly it. It's a 10% thing. Like buy more socks. Buy more. Yeah. Health products 

Brad Borosso: and their products help people live healthier lives. Yes. So it all kind of fit together synergistically where, you know, we're here for organ donation, but we'd rather not have to donate an organ.

Let's stay healthy. 

jeff Holden: Right. I can't tell you how many of the [00:22:00] organizations we have that sit in that chair mm-hmm. Would all love to not be doing what they're doing because the issue that they are dealing with Sure. Has been resolved. Yeah, absolutely. You know, and, and unfortunately. In most cases, that's not gonna happen.

Not gonna happen. And this is never gonna happen because people will always pass. That's right. And they will always pass suddenly and unexpectedly. And it's always gonna be an opportunity, right. To make sure that the greatest benefit and good comes from, you know, that life. 

Brad Borosso: And it's by far the better of the two choices of, of no donation.

Yes. Right. So now we have something that, you know, Trevor's living on through another person. 

jeff Holden: Yeah. 

Brad Borosso: And as a parent. That's just 

jeff Holden: a better option. Yeah. Well, to, to me, just to imagine that your son's heart is in somebody else that you actually know. Mm-hmm. And see and live and that piece of your son is alive.

Brad Borosso: Yeah. 

jeff Holden: And will be for the duration and probably outlive 

Brad Borosso: you. 

jeff Holden: Yeah. You know, so 

Brad Borosso: yeah. We actually [00:23:00] have a build a bear. He, uh, when we went to meet with him, he actually took a recording of the heartbeat inside of. Inside of him and gave us a, a bear. So we now, oh, in my office, I've got a bear that I can Fantastic.

Push the button once in a while and listen to Trevor's heart, so, oh, 

jeff Holden: what an amazing experience. Yeah, 

Brad Borosso: so it was a very nice gesture on his part. Obviously 

jeff Holden: the conversation on the decision of organ donation with Brad Barroso continues right after we hear from the people helping to make this program possible.

I'm thrilled to have Western Health Advantage partnering with us as they do so much to support so many nonprofit agencies in our community. As a truly local health plan, you'll find individual and family options, employer options plans for CalPERS and Medicare Advantage.

From medical services to pharmacy health and wellness support, as well as behavioral healthcare, Western Health Advantage has a plan that fits what you need as an employer for profit or nonprofit business, individual or family. You [00:24:00] can find more@westernhealth.com. Hello, this is Scott Thomas with CAPTRUST in our Sacramento office.

Scott Thomas: I specialize in working with local nonprofits and associations annually. We survey private and public nonprofit organizations across the country to better understand challenges they see in today's environment. In our more recent survey, we hear concerns about proper board governance, mission aligned investment, and how to implement alternative investments.

If you would like a copy of the survey or do discuss your organization, look me up, scottThomas@captrust.com as you look at the organization and the opportunity that exists in front of it. Money, no object. What would it look like in a couple of years if you could build it to the way you needed to build it, not having to worry about work and a career and everything else.

Brad Borosso: Yeah. It would be a nationally known name and brand, and we'd be in hospitals all across the country doing what we do and [00:25:00] helping people that at their lowest point of their life, in most cases, right, you're facing death. Be there to support them and help them with not only our story, but a network of other people.

That are just like us. 'cause we're not alone. We're not the only ones that have gone through this. Right? And so it would be a network of people helping people essentially, and just across the country to where. At any point, from any point, you might be able to even identify, okay, there's somebody in my community I can reach out to who's been through this experience.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. Maybe in the same hospital system. Mm-hmm. Maybe the same issues. Mm-hmm. Exactly. Yeah. Through a large network and being, especially now with technology and AI and all the things that are coming to bear mm-hmm. Right. In society, there's really an opportunity to grow this exponentially across the country and to help more people.

Brad Borosso: Yeah. Totally agreed. Yeah. People just don't know. They don't, they, they just don't know. No, they don't. They, they don't, they don't realize how many generations they can help for one. You know, a lot of [00:26:00] times I'll talk to people and they don't, it doesn't end there. So tr so the people that Trevor helped can now have their own children.

Mm-hmm. And it'll help the next generation. It's that ripple effect, right. That Trevor and I used to talk about helping someone and then they go on to help somebody else. Right. So that. That can be exponential. Um, and it, and it creates an army of people that want to help because I think inherently people are good and they want to help, and sometimes there's just not an avenue to do so.

Mm-hmm. And I think, and feel it's incumbent on, on, at least my wife and I to help people realize that there is an avenue. Mm-hmm. Right. And organ donation, there's no better, you know, than to lay down your life for a fellow human being. Right. And so. It's one way that we can do that. Mm-hmm. And help others on the other side of that.

jeff Holden: Now we're looking at greatest need mm-hmm. Today as you see it, because you're still a small organization. Mm-hmm. Doing what you can do in the amount of time that you've got. Mm-hmm. What is the greatest need that you see [00:27:00] today? Labor. It's help, it's it's volunteers right now. Getting the word out and being willing to go into hospitals and, and talk to people.

Brad Borosso: Mm-hmm. And spread the word and, and provide that assistance. Money is always a thing. You know, we, the more people that we can get involved, the more scholarships that we can provide. 'cause that's where part of it came up is that, I'll give you a simple thing. A cell phone. Yep. So when we were in the hospital, cell phones didn't work well.

We had the means to be able to go out and get another cell phone. So we did have something that we could communicate with people. Mm-hmm. It seems like a small thing, but if you don't have the means Right. To do something just so simple. Then you're cut off from the world and you're adding stress to the most stressful part of your life.

Probably at that pain, that at that stage I can, I can not only imagine and I I I've experienced that. You're in the hospital, you have somebody who's got a situation. Mm-hmm. And literally the phone doesn't work. So now you've added to the anxiety and the stress and you don't wanna take anything away from the person that you're there for.

jeff Holden: Right. Yet you can't communicate and you know, everybody's trying to get ahold of, you're leaving [00:28:00] the room, you're going outside, you're trying to get a connection. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Hotel rooms, I mean things, people coming from other areas that maybe can't afford to have a hotel room if they'd love to stay, but they can't stay.

Brad Borosso: So it's taking away some of that stress mm-hmm. During that period of time. So that's where the money comes in. Right. That's where the need for the money comes in or donations come in. You've taken this a step further mm-hmm. In, in terms of just the organization itself, but now you've also written a book.

jeff Holden: Tell us a little bit about the book. Book is called The Light in the Storm. And the idea for the book came from sharing Trevor's story to people and them responding, um, how do I put it with, with almost like hopelessness and like asking me questions like, how do you get up? How does a, how does a parent lose a child?

Brad Borosso: How do you get up in the morning? How do you function? You know, not only do I have three other sons to think about, right. And a wife to think about mm-hmm. And others that I care about to get [00:29:00] up. For me, it came back to a foundation and my answer is always the same. Right? So me getting DC Trevor is like an appointment on my calendar and while that knowledge doesn't take away, take away the daily pain of missing him.

Mm-hmm. It takes away the sting. Mm-hmm. Right. And so the book is providing that light for others that maybe don't know or believe in that. For me, it's the answer to three questions. Where did I come from? Why am I here? And where am I going? Mm-hmm. And my belief is that provides enough light for you to get through anything in life, even the loss of a child.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. And I think the real, the commitment to it or the desire to get it written had to be talking to people that were so hopeless. Didn't have that. They had people in their lives that they had lost. Or like, for example, one woman whose sister had just lost a child that was six years old and couldn't cope, it actually had been five years at that point.

Mm-hmm. [00:30:00] And she still couldn't cope. Right. And so I'm like, well have her call me. I'm happy to talk to anybody. I. From that came the book. Right. What better way to get it out there than to have a book available to share and it's just a book of stories of people that have lost and how they've dealt with it.

Mm-hmm. So then it allows for exponential help and assistance of people. Obviously all of our time is limited. Right. Limited resources. So what better way than a book or, or a podcast? Mm-hmm. Right? To get the word out. The book will be available through the website. Mm-hmm. And amazon.com, I'm sure. Mm-hmm.

Yep. Do you see the opportunity then from the book to also turn that into some speaking engagements and even create some sort of support mechanism around the people who are dealing with this grief and trying to grasp the magnitude of what they've gone through through shared experiences? Yeah, absolutely.

Brad Borosso: Mm-hmm. Yeah. I just got done giving a [00:31:00] talk to a group about a thousand people in that very. Thing. It's, it's just a way to give back. It's, it's a way for people to, some either be exposed to never have heard it, or actually reinforcing the fact that here's someone, you know, I used to call, there was a, a gentleman, Neil Maxwell.

He said he was testifying with authority because he had always talked about his faith and then he got cancer and then he had to testify mm-hmm. To it with authority. And I feel that I'm kind of put in that spot. Is that one? Judy and I or I go out and we speak about losing a child. It's not like the neighbor lost a child.

We're actually testifying with authority. Mm-hmm. On how you get through the loss. Mm-hmm. It's not supposition and there's other ways. It's not that our way is the only way by any means, but it's one way that people can deal with. Well, and the ability for somebody dealing with that situation, that grief.

jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. Too. Literally see you mm-hmm. And hear from you. [00:32:00] Mm-hmm. And be able to read some of the stories. Mm-hmm. Not only does it add credibility to that authority, sure. It also creates, you know, a bond and a relationship that goes far beyond what you would see as just a presenter. To an audience. Mm-hmm.

Yeah, it really does. And, and we've stayed connected with Sean, who's, who's asked us to come and speak. The Heart recipient. Yeah. Yes. Uh, no, no, I'm sorry. With the opioid, with Sierra Donor Services. Oh, got it. Okay. So he's asked us to come and speak on multiple occasions. I think for that reason. I mean, he says a connection with us, obviously, but then he also knows that it helps.

Brad Borosso: The staff that he's working with when they're coping with, with, you know, they're, we're working on the other side of it. Yes. Mechanical side of it. Yes. But it helps them to get through their day when they hear from us. What's the best way for people to get in touch with you, to find the book? To learn more on the website, the variety of options that you've got to mm-hmm.

jeff Holden: Support and help somebody in this [00:33:00] situation. Yeah. Everything goes through, uh, Trevors second chance.org. Matter of fact, this podcast will be there so people can come and listen to that. What a great way to get our message out and who we are. Then everything is linked through Trevors second chance.org.

Brad Borosso: Okay. The light in the storm.com is also the landing page for the book, but everything's going through the website and the book will be available on the website as well. It'll be there too. They'll be linked right to it. Yeah. Okay. Excellent. Excellent. Brad, this is always a difficult decision for so many of the reasons that we've spoken of, but from firsthand experience, you bring the message and the value of organ donation to a very real perspective for many.

jeff Holden: Who may have never even considered that as an option or an opportunity. I wish you continued success on your mission, by all means, on the book, on the ability to get to so many more people through the speaking engagements that you've got through the hospitals. And I, I hope, you know, two years, three years, four years from now, we hear of hospitals in Chicago and New [00:34:00] York.

You know, Dallas, Texas, wherever they may be saying, oh yeah, we, we partnered with Trevor's second chance and it's really made a difference. Yeah. I hope to see that come true. I have a feeling. Well, and I find it interesting you started with Chicago. I'm from Chicago. I know that. So we'll put that at the top of the list.

Excellent. Yeah. Great. Well thank you so much. Thank you. Appreciate your time. And before we leave, I want to share with the audience that Brad is not here alone. Brad is here with his wife Judy, his mother Carol, his father Jim. Today happens to be his mother's birthday as well. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, what a special day for us to have, uh, you know, an episode and be able to record it and, you know, put this into, you know, perpetuity.

Brad Borosso: Yeah. I appreciate it very much. There's certainly a very big part of my support system and help me do things that we do every day. So, which is really clear. And, you know, I, I think we, we need to add that, that that support system is critical and clearly, you know, here [00:35:00] we are with the entire family. Not only working through the program itself, but mm-hmm.

jeff Holden: They're in the room here with you. Mm-hmm. Right. And, and this is the first time that's ever happened. Okay. Where we've had the, the entire family here in a, in a mission of support through one of the nonprofit organizations. So, congratulations. You know, another first. Right. Well, thank you. Yeah, thank you. So they, they, all three of them have certainly shaped who I am, so it's, uh, a lot of credit goes to all three of 'em.

Brad Borosso: Yep. For putting this together. Well, happy birthday Carol. Thanks. All right. Thanks Jeff.

jeff Holden: Thank you for listening to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. I hope you enjoyed the episode. If what you heard moved you, please reach out to that organization and do what you can to help. If you like and appreciate what we're doing to support local nonprofits, please give us a positive review. Subscribe and share.

If you're a nonprofit with [00:36:00] an interest in participating in an episode, you can reach me at jeff@hearmeowstudio.com. Once again, we're grateful for the businesses who have made this program possible. CAPTRUST fiduciary advice for endowments and foundations. You can find them in Sacramento, Roseville and Folsom captrust.com and Western Health Advantage, a full service healthcare plan for individuals, employer groups, and families western health.com.