A Book and a Chat with Ava Kaufman

Ava Kaufman, my guest of today’s “A Book and a Chat” had it all, a classically trained dancer who had performed at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera House. She had a series of successful businesses living the Beverly Hill life with her and her football hero husband lived in a multimillion dollar marble mansion, where many of the rich and famous we called friends.

Then in 2008 her hands started to become unbearably itchy, especially around her knuckles. Her Beverly Hills dermatologist, whom she saw regularly for Botox and Restylane injections, put her on ointment for eczema and psoriasis. Stating that it was more than likely stress related due to Ava going through a divorce as well as several new business ventures.

Over the next few months things got worse, her nails started to go black and though she was put on steroids not once did the doctor order a blood test. Things however were far from fine, and eventually she was diagnosed with Dermatomyositis, an auto immune disease. Weeks later her heart died, and for ten days she was kept alive by various machines, though eventually through her own strength of belief and a heart transplant as well as the love of her daughter Jade she survived.

Her book “Heartless” tells how through a serious of miracles she regained a life even though she lost most of her former life she has grown with the love of family and friends into a better person.

After her recovery, Ava volunteered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and to this date Ava has helped hundreds of candidates, transplant recipients and their families on their transplant journey. With her indomitable spirit, Ava has inspired many, that they too, can overcome anything.

In 2011, Ava established Ava’s Heart, a 501©3 non-profit organization, which provides support for transplant recipients and candidates with limited means or no insurance, ensuring they receive medication and financial aid, during their transplant journey. Ava’s Heart gives candidates, recipients and their families the support and care they need from beginning to end. Ava’s Heart was formed with the intent of "giving back to others" who are on the same journey as Ava
As Gloria Gaynor wrote about Ava…

“Ava is not just a lovely person; she is one of the most courageous people I’ve ever met. I’ve known her decades and she is the consummate survivor!”

This book will take you through the before and during and the after, lead you along the road, telling the human side of a heart transplant operation.

So listen now and share an interesting,and entertaining thirty minutes with my guest Ava Kaufman

If you have enjoyed the blog or the radio show, why not become a follower of the show?

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Ava Kaufman

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Ava Kaufman"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:"Ava Kaufman - Heartless"

My new E-Book is available to download, for all of 99 cents at
"The Bathroom Book of Romance - Book 1"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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