Overview
At Houston Methodist’s JC Walter Jr. Transplant Center, the journey of living donation is deeply personal, often emotional, and always transformative for both donors and recipients. Yet too often, the stories of these brave individuals remain unheard. Thanks to StoryTap, that’s beginning to change in a powerful way.
A Voice for Every Story
In partnership with the Patient Engagement Research Lab at the Houston Methodist Research Institute, StoryTap has become a pivotal tool in amplifying the lived experiences of patients, families, and medical professionals involved in kidney transplantation. This storytelling initiative helps break down barriers and misconceptions around living donation by giving people an easy way to share their journeys, whether as a donor, recipient, or someone advocating for a loved one.
These firsthand accounts provide clarity, comfort, and most importantly, hope to those considering or undergoing transplant evaluation.
Unfiltered, Authentic and Educational
What sets this initiative apart is the unfiltered and authentic nature of each video. These aren’t scripted testimonials; they’re real people, speaking candidly about their experiences. That authenticity builds trust and connection, while also delivering valuable education. The videos help demystify the transplant process, offering insights that only those who’ve lived it can provide.
These stories serve as powerful peer-to-peer educational tools, equipping patients with the knowledge and confidence to navigate complex decisions around living donation and transplantation.
The Patient Engagement Research Lab: Driving Innovation in Transplant Equity
Directed by Dr. Amy Waterman, the Patient Engagement Research Lab is a nationally recognized interdisciplinary center that conducts state-of-the-art research to improve transplant outcomes. The lab is dedicated to reducing disparities in access to transplantation, increasing living donation rates, and translating effective interventions into everyday clinical practice.
Through collaboration with healthcare providers, national transplant leaders, and policymakers, Dr. Waterman and her team ensure that more patients, regardless of background, can access life-saving kidney transplants and enjoy longer, healthier lives. The integration of StoryTap into their outreach strategy has helped scale their impact in a meaningful, human-centred way.
“StoryTap has become an essential tool for us because it has given us the opportunity to collect stories nationwide, both in English and Spanish or in any language that is out there giving us an opportunity to share these stories with multiple patients who don’t speak just one language.”
-Mayra Almendarez, Project Manager of the Patient Engagement Research Lab, the Department of Surgery, and the JC Walter Junior Transplant Center, Houston Methodist
Accessible and Empowering
StoryTap’s user-friendly platform allows participants to easily record their stories using simple, step-by-step instructions. Whether they’re tech-savvy or not, patients and families are empowered to share from anywhere.
Hearing directly from others who have walked the transplant path helps reduce fear and anxiety, creating a sense of belonging and encouragement during what can often feel like an overwhelming process.
Multilingual Reach and Nationwide Impact
One of the most transformative elements of StoryTap is its ability to collect and share stories in multiple languages, including English and Spanish. This ensures that patients from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds can connect with relatable, accessible content.
With stories submitted from across the U.S., the initiative reaches far beyond Houston, offering nationwide inspiration and support for those affected by kidney disease.
Bringing Awareness Through Real People
These videos do more than inform; they mobilize. Families once hesitant about donation are now stepping forward. Patients gain the courage to complete their transplant evaluation. Medical professionals are contributing their perspectives, expanding public understanding of what donation really means.
The Outcomes:
- Over 300 videos collected from participants in both English and Spanish
- Over 1000+ videos shared by participants via social and email
Thanks to StoryTap, high-quality, impactful stories from living donors, transplant recipients, and those still waiting are being heard, loud and clear.
The Power of Storytelling in Healthcare
Through StoryTap, the Patient Engagement Research Lab is building a living library of resilience, education, and empowerment. It’s helping ensure that no patient or donor walks this path alone and that more people are equipped to make informed, life-changing decisions.
Because when we see ourselves in someone else’s story, anything feels possible.
