Radio, Podcast & Webinars
February 2025
Coffee & Compatability Podcast by American Society for Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics
Valen had the honor of joining the Coffee and Compatibility podcast, where they explored the vital connection between transplant science and the patient experience. In this engaging conversation, Valen shared her journey as a transplant recipient and advocate, highlighting the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals—particularly those in histocompatibility and immunogenetics—and patients. Together, we can enhance care, foster innovation, and create a more informed, empowered transplant community. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Eric Weimer, Kelley Hitchman, and Jeremy Sherrill for such a meaningful conversation and to ASHI for their dedication to advancing both science and patient partnerships.
October 2024
Kidney Transplant Conversations Podcast
Valen shares her extraordinary journey of resilience through kidney and liver transplants in this Kidney Transplant Conversations podcast. She discusses her impactful docuseries, Letters of Hope, which chronicles her firsthand experiences and serves as an evergreen resource for patients and caregivers. Valen highlights the importance of finding one's voice in the healthcare journey and the vital role caregivers play. As a passionate advocate and recipient of the Donate Life Hollywood Inspire Award, she emphasizes the significance of organ donation and the need for accurate media portrayals of transplant experiences.
September 2024
Bold Like Her Podcast
Valen was featured on the Bold Like Her podcast that celebrates the inspiring, trailblazing women of Boston who are changing the world! Since Valen serves on an executive steering committee for Alexion, headquartered in Boston, she was honored to join this empowering conversation. In this episode, Valen shares being diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) at 10 years old to navigating life as a double transplant recipient. They discuss Valen’s passion for patient advocacy, her work as a consultant helping the medical industry understand the patient perspective, and the heart behind her podcast, Unpacking the Gift of Life.
August 2024
Todd Inspires Beliefcast Podcast
In this special episode of Todd Inspires Beliefcast podcast, Valen and her friend, Cristen Wathen, share their journeys with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), organ transplants, and the emotional resilience needed to navigate chronic illness. In this heartfelt conversation they open up about their personal battles, the power of friendship, and the passion behind them co-hosting Season 1 of Unpacking the Gift of Life podcast.
One of the most powerful moments was when Todd asked: If someone listening is in a dark place, what advice would you give them? Valen begins by sharing that life is worth fighting for…listen to the full episode below.
August 2024
Wait How Do You Spell That? A Rare Disease Podcast by Patient Worthy
In this episode of Wait How Do You Spell That?, a Rare Disease Podcast by Patient Worthy, Valen discusses her journey with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), emphasizing the importance of patient education and advocacy. This interview serves as a meaningful opportunity to continue sharing her story and advocating for a greater understanding of rare diseases.
April 2024
Mindful Movement with Naya Podcast
In a podcast interview on the Mindful Movement with Naya Podcast, Valen shares her journey with scoliosis, multiple back surgeries, and living with chronic pain. She reflects on how maintaining a positive mindset has been key to building resilience through these challenges. This rare opportunity allowed Valen to discuss an often-overlooked aspect of her health journey, offering insights into how she navigates day-to-day life with strength and determination.
September 2023
Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical Celebration - Virtual
When the first treatment for PKD was released in Canada, Valen had the honor of speaking at Otsuka Canada’s gala in Montreal, celebrating this pivotal moment in PKD history. She’ll never forget the sense of hope that filled the room that evening. Fast forward eight years, and in September 2023, Otsuka Canada celebrated the milestone of 3,000 patients now receiving this groundbreaking treatment. Valen was invited back to speak at this momentous occasion, where she virtually shared the patient perspective. She highlighted the significance of treatment options, the impact of innovation, and, most importantly, the power of hope for the PKD community.
April 2023
Letters of Hope Live Webinar Docuseries Screening with UCSF Transplant Center
In celebration of Donate Life Month and National Pediatric Transplant Week, UCSF Transplant Center hosted a live webinar screening of Valen's 12-part transplant docuseries, Letters of Hope. The event was moderated by Dr. Emily Perito, a pediatric gastroenterologist and specialist in liver and pancreatic disorders. Her expertise includes liver transplantation, and she serves as associate medical director of UCSF's multidisciplinary pediatric liver transplant team. Following the screening, Dr. Perito interviewed Valen on how transplantation has impacted her life, with a focus on her pediatric journey. Tune in to hear their educational, insightful, and empowering conversation.
April 2022
ChangeMaker Instagram Live - Valen was nominated as a “ChangeMaker” and interviewed during an Instagram Live with Let There Be Life, which “features exceptional ChangeMakers across the globe working tirelessly to support organ and tissue transplantation in their communities.” Valen’s story was highlighted as part of their From Trauma to Triumph series.
April 2022
Placer County Courthouse Lit Blue and Green for Donate Life Month | NewsRadio KFBK | The Afternoon News with Kitty O'Neal (iheart.com)
Valen partnered with Placer County, CA to have the dome of the Historic Placer County Courthouse lit blue and green all of April to raise awareness of organ donation during Donate Life Month. She hosted a lighting ceremony, where she partnered with Thermo Fisher Scientific and Sierra Donor Services, and gathered the local and transplant community together for an emotional, educational, and empowering program. Placer County presented a proclamation declaring April as Donate Life Month in Placer County and it was a huge success.
August 2021
Donate Life Hollywood Writers Panel – Stories of Resilience
Valen joins the brilliant actor and star of the Netflix series “Atypical,” Keir Gilchrist in a sit-down interview with Donate Life Hollywood, where they share an insightful conversation about resilience. Valen really connected to the character Keir plays who is on the autism spectrum. There are many parallels between the challenges his character faces and how Valen’s health struggles have impacted her life and those around her. Tune in to see Valen’s resilience in action, as she was enduring a health hiccup prior and during this live interview and chose to turn it into a teachable moment to give others a peak into the real journey of someone living with chronic health issues and how resilience helps her overcome challenges.
August 2021
National Public Radio (NPR) Weekend Edition Saturday news broadcast show
Valen was interviewed on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday about what it felt like as a transplant recipient to learn the news of the FDA authorizing a third COVID vaccine/booster shot for immunocompromised people.
June 2021
The Heart Guy presents The Heart of the Matter with Valen Keefer Season 3 Episode 3 - The Heart Guy presents The Heart of The Matter | Podcast on Spotify
Valen was interviewed on The Heart of the Matter podcast by Gary Sherman, who is on the transplant waitlist for a new heart. In this delightful and important conversation, Valen and Gary talk about overcoming adversity, adapting to change and new normals - which we are all in the midst of. And how beautiful the gift of life is and how we are all lucky to be alive.
June 2021
The Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard webinar: Reimagining Clinical Trials: Learning from COVID-19
The MRCT Center hosted this meeting to create a vision for new ways of conducting clinical research by building upon experiences from interventional, multi-site, multi-national clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar explored learnings derived from the COVID-19 pandemic: what worked, what did not work, and what needs to be analyzed further. Valen was a panelist, sharing her patient perspective and the importance of partnering with patients throughout clinical trials.
May 2021
Valen was interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered discussing the challenges immunocompromised people face in regards to COVID and vaccination. In this segment, study findings are discussed from the Johns Hopkins research study in which Valen participated in to test antibody levels of transplant recipients after receiving the COVID vaccine. She shares her results and the patient perspective of what it feels like to navigate COVID as a transplant recipient.
April 2021
Valen was a guest speaker in Chris Klug Foundation’s Bounce Back Give Back Award Webinar hosted in honor of National Donate Life Month and the opening of nominations for CKF’s annual Bounce Back Give Back Awards. In this webinar, Valen shared her inspiring transplant journey and very moving and impactful personal experience of being the 2017 recipient of the Bounce Back Give Back Award.
January 2021
Valen was interviewed by Todd Sylvester, where they share a meaningful conversation and dig deep into the emotional side of Valen’s journey. She talks about how her youth shaped her and how her positive mindset has been an integral part of her survival. In this thought-provoking interview, they discuss Valen’s determination and drive to live a fulfilling life and help others and how everyone has the power within them to endure difficult things in life.
January 2021
Valen was a panelist in CareDx's webinar sharing her challenges, triumphs, tips and tools surrounding health, wellness and how to live your best life as a post-transplant recipient.
September 2020
Valen is interviewed on The Thoughtful Counselor podcast, with her dear friend, Cristen Wathen, who is an Assistant Professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University and also has polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Valen and Cristen share their personal journeys, the serendipitous way in which they met, how the pandemic is impacting those who are high-risk and offer strategies to help support the health and wellness for those facing increased risks related to COVID-19.
July 2020
Valen is interviewed by Lori Hartwell, Founder of the Renal Support Network, on KidneyTalk podcast. Valen shares the emotions and differences of enduring two transplants – different organs – and 16 years apart. Listen to this heartfelt and informative conversation, full of many important messages.
September 2019
Valen was interviewed on Talk Radio 1550 during the True Hope radio segment by Pastor Max Zapata. Max is a kidney donor, making this interview about Valen’s transplant journey very special.
September 2018
Valen was interviewed on KFBK news radio about her participation as a “Dreamer” in the DreamWalk Fashion Show.
August 2017
Robin Robert’s Everybody’s Got Something Podcast, Season 2 Finale Episode #10: Your Incredible “Somethings” Valen was interviewed by Robin Robert’s podcast team and her sentiments were included in Robin’s Season 2 Finale Episode.
August 2010
Renal Support Network KidneyTalk Podcast Interview
Valen was interviewed by Lori Hartwell, Founder of Renal Support Network, on KidneyTalk Podcast. They share a wonderful conversation about Valen’s health journey from adolescence to making a difference today.
