Volunteers are the heart of Gift of Life

They share their stories to help spread the message that donation saves lives; they add names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and motivate others to be involved. Many of our volunteers know firsthand how crucial the donation process is to giving critically ill people a new shot at life. Many are organ and tissue recipients themselves. Other volunteers are the family members of donors, who have been deeply moved by their experience.

How to Volunteer

Gift of Life has more than 500 active volunteers – and every single one of them makes a difference. Please consider joining our team.Volunteers are asked to agree in writing to allow Gift of Life to share their stories related to donation and transplantation and review and sign a volunteer job description.

Gift of Life will send you the necessary information about volunteering and add your name to our newsletter mailing list. If you're interested, please contact Kim Zasa, Gift of Life’s volunteer coordinator. She can be reached by email or by calling 734-922-1042.

Volunteer Training

Gift of Life offers training and tips on how to get the most out of volunteering.
The session is helpful for those wishing to speak publicly about donation and transplantation. It also is designed for those who would rather educate the public one-on-one at health fairs, information tables, etc.

Each new volunteer who attends a training session will receive a manual with facts, figures and answers to common questions about donation as well as helpful hints for effectively dealing with the public.

For example, you will learn:

• Who can become a donor?
• Upcoming volunteer opportunities in your area.
• What is the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and how it works?
• What is Gift of Life Michigan and more?

Ten things you can do to make a difference

1. Share your story and encourage others to sign up through this Web site to be an organ donor.
2. Call your local media and encourage them to write or produce stories about donation and transplantation.
3. Arrange to have your workplace enclose a donor registry brochure in everyone’s paycheck.
4. Add a donor awareness message to your emails, snail mail, advertising or other communications.
5. Schedule a short donation presentation and/or registration drive at your place of worship, organization, club or other groups.
6. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper supporting organ and tissue donation and encourage others to sign up on the organ Donor Registry.
7. Ask your friends if they are organ, eye and tissue donors and encourage them to sign up if they aren’t.
8. Spread the message of donation and transplantation using social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and blogging.
9. Arrange to receive donor awareness materials and distribute them at community events.
10. Be a volunteer for Gift of Life.