Courtney Kaplan

Keynote Speaker, Best-Selling Author, and Grieving Mother

Welcome to Transplant Hope, where resilience, compassion, and the power of donation come together to inspire and transform lives.

In the face of unimaginable loss, Courtney’s journey from tragedy to triumph stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit. The pivotal moment that altered her course forever was a phone call that delivered the heartbreaking news of her 18-year-old son, Michael Sigler’s, tragic motorcycle accident.

Michael, during a routine trip to the DMV, made a profound decision that would change the lives of many forever. He wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to be an organ, tissue, and eye donor. When the time came to determine Michael’s fate, there was no question—honoring a hero’s wish became the only path forward.

Michael’s selfless gift of life transcended his own existence, impacting the lives of five individuals through organ donation. Moreover, his generosity reached beyond, enhancing the lives of over 30 people through the gift of tissue, bone, and ocular donation.

Courtney’s commitment to transforming pain into purpose has become her life’s mission. At Transplant Hope, we celebrate the resilience that arises from tragedy, and we honor the profound impact of organ donation on both donors and recipients alike.

Join us in fostering a community of hope, gratitude, and inspiration as we navigate the transformative journey from loss to life. Together, we can amplify the legacy of heroes like Michael and shine a light on the incredible potential that resides in every act of donation. Transplant Hope is more than a platform; it’s a beacon of possibility and a tribute to the enduring spirit of those who give the gift of life.

 

Keynote Speaker

“Gratitude and grief can occupy the same space just like love and loss do”. – Courtney Kaplan

“My hope for you, my dear reader, is that you will find hope and inspiration within these words and begin to open yourself to the possibility that grief can be one of your greatest gifts.”

Courtney Kaplan

Meet Courtney Kaplan, a dedicated advocate for hospice care, a tireless Veterans resource ambassador, and a vital volunteer at Nevada Donor Network (Nevada’s OPO). Courtney’s commitment to making a difference extends beyond borders, as she passionately shares her story on various stages, inspiring hope and healing.

Alongside her son Michael, Courtney’s powerful narrative has resonated internationally, reaching audiences from Russia to Brazil, Africa to the Philippines. Her message transcends cultural boundaries, leaving an indelible impact on hearts around the world.

Recognized for her compelling story, Courtney is in high demand as a guest speaker on podcasts, interviews, and has been featured in esteemed publications such as PEOPLE, Vegas INC, and Review Journal, to name a few. Her ability to connect authentically has made her a sought-after presence on diverse platforms.

Courtney has graced the stage at prestigious events including the UNO Region 5 Conference, Donor Remembrance Ceremony, UMC Hospital Administration gatherings, and many more. As a versatile, authentic, and heart-centered speaker, Courtney eagerly seizes every opportunity to touch as many lives as possible through the unique gifts borne from her journey through grief.

Join Courtney on her mission to inspire, uplift, and bring solace through the power of storytelling. Her resilience and authenticity illuminate the path toward healing, making her a beacon of hope for those navigating their own journeys of loss and transformation. Through her gifts of grief, Courtney continues to create a profound impact, fostering connections that transcend the boundaries of time and geography.

 

Empowering Talks for Transformation

BOOK COURTNEY FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT

Why Choose Courtney Kaplan?

  • Compelling storytelling:  Courtney’s personal journey will move your audience and leave a lasting impact.
  • Educational Insights:  Gain a deeper understanding of organ transplantation through Courtney’s unique blend of personal experience and expert knowledge.
  • Inspiration for Transformation:  Discover the strength to navigate loss and embrace life anew, inspired by Michael’s enduring legacy.
Courtney is proud to have spoken at events for:

Courtney’s Corner

“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep you in this world, however, I am honored to share your love with the world”. – Courtney Kaplan

“Normal” after a child dies
Normal is having tears waiting behind every smile
Normal isn’t sleeping very well, racing thoughts
Normal is continuously reliving that day
Normal is every happy event in your life always backed up with sadness lurking close behind
Normal is making sure others remember them

“If we can change just one life then we have accomplished something amazing!” – Courtney Kaplan
Touring the Magic Productions Studio for taping the upcoming season 6 of SPEAK UP on Amazon Prime

THE INSPIRING TRUE STORY

lemonade stand book 3

As a best-seeling author, Courtney shares her vulnerability, her grief, and her gratitude surrounding the loss of her son. In the final chapter, ‘The Gifts of Grief’, Courtney gives a detailed description of her life as a single parent, professional career woman, and life after the devastating call that changed her life forever.

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 I am one of many donor families.  We all have a personal story surrounding our losses and our gains.  Speaking about our loved ones is a very special way to keep them alive in the darkness of loss.  Recipient’s and their families also have amazing stories of what life was before transplant and after.  The feeling of guilt is shared by so many recipients.  Knowing someone had to die for you to live, very powerful.  These are stories, experiences, and wisdom shared by both sides of organ donation. ‘Transplant Hope’ brings the stories and experiences of both donor and recipients together, in one celebrated place.

I struggled and continue to struggle with my body weight since I was about 9 years old.  My fifth grade classmate, Raphael, used to call me Courtney Cow.  In fact, that schmuck wrote it in my yearbook!  On top of being an angry, manipulative, unheard little girl, I was about to hit puberty in an extremely restrictive religion where love seemed conditional all the way around.  Being so young and confused, I sought love and acceptance from whomever the highest bidder was.  This caused immeasurable damage.  My inability to love myself unconditionally quickly rooted itself in my identity.  I am unpacking those bags, discarding damaged pieces and replacing them with kind truths everyday of my life. 

My dearest life traveler, healing is on the other side of injury.  Light is on the other side of darkness. Opening the padlocked, chained up, sealed drawers of painful memories, and I have many, has been my greatest challenge.  As I journey through the next chapter of my life, I have found much healing and strength in forgiveness.  Yes, forgiveness! One of those bad words like vulnerability. 

I practice being an updated version of myself everyday.  In order to put something ‘new’ in you have to remove something ‘old’. When I come across a memory that sparks a feeling that isn’t serving me anymore, I am reminded of that scene in the classic, ‘Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory’, with Gene Wilder.  In this scene, Willy Wonka and the remaining contestants enter the very white room with geese and the golden eggs.  Under every goose is a scale-o-meter (my word), that measures the value of each egg.  There are ‘good’ eggs and ‘bad’ eggs.  Some eggs go to the processing plant and some are discarded.  Through visualization, I envision my pasted memories as ‘golden eggs’.  All of them create value in their own way, however, some are serving our greater good and some are not.  Ask the following questions as you review your closet, drawer, or box;

  • Do I need to forgive someone for this pain, sadness, trauma?
  • Do I need to forgive myself for this pain, sadness, trauma?

If you answer YES to either question, revel in the joy of personal power and enlightenment.  You have the ability and power to change the narrative of perception that defines you every day of your life.  Open yourself to the possibility that you can break free from your past and create a future YOU choose!

Can’t and won’t are two words that are misused on a daily basis by most people.  ‘Can’t’ refers to ability and ‘won’t’ refers to a choice.  One is empowering and one is not.  When you choose yourself, YOU always win! The ‘stopwatch’ we call life, ticks and tocks until it doesn’t. Love every second you have, they are a gift after all.