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Gift of Life

We Honor Life Through Donation

Choosing to become an organ and tissue donor can make an impact on many lives. Read the stories of donors and recipients, and find out how you can make a difference!

Mike Lopez (left) received a liver transplant when John Edmond (right) donated his 7-year old daughter's organs

Read the digital LifeLINES magazine

LifeLINES is available as a digital magazine flipbook. Check it out!

Terri Finch Hamilton's father was a donor-in-spirit at the end of his life.

My dad is a 'donor in spirit'

It is the willingness and decision to donate that matters most.

Chris Kowalski with mascot Paws at a Detroit Tigers game this summer. He talked with high school students about donation by live video from Comerica Park that night.

He speaks while awaiting a life-saving heart transplant

Nothing stops Chris from sharing his transplant story - even a major league baseball game!

Nationwide Organ Recovery Transport Alliance (NORA) helps Gift of Life and local transplant hospitals move organs and medical teams around the state.

Organ donation vehicles are hope on wheels

Partners like NORA help us to honor life through donation.

Curpri Sanders received the gift of a tissue donation for her reconstruction surgery after a double mastectomy.

Tissue donor eases recovery for cancer survivor

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is often possible thanks to generous tissue donors!

Donation in Multicultural Communities

Since 1971, Gift of Life Michigan has honored life by connecting people who need vital organ and tissue transplants with donors.

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Latinx Experience

The decision to donate is an important decision. We know that faith and family informs this decision.

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African American Experience

Despite a history of mistrust and misinformation, doctors will work just as hard to save your life.

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Arab American Experience

We are partnering with healthcare professionals and community leaders to ensure information about organ donation is culturally sensitive and consistent with faith beliefs.

Making a Difference

Who We Serve

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Donors

Learn how to become a donor, what organs are eligible for donation, and more.

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Donor Families

We help you and the rest of your family cope, grieve, understand and – if you wish – become an advocate of donation.

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Recipients

While GOL doesn't work directly with/assign organs to recipients, transplant recipients are why we do what we do.

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Volunteers

Want to get involved? Find out how you can make a difference through volunteering with Gift of Life Michigan!

By the Numbers
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Number of Michigan patients who have received a life-saving organ transplant in the past 10 years.
Number of lives saved each day by an organ transplant in the United States.
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Number of people on the national organ transplant waiting list.
Recent Posts
A happy family

What Tissue can be Donated?

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Patrick Pruitt's eyesight was saved by a cornea donor when he was a young child.

Cornea recipient celebrates his gift of sight

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Terri Finch Hamilton's father was a donor-in-spirit at the end of his life.

My dad is a ‘donor in spirit’

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Kay Walters, pictured with her daughter, received a heart transplant in 1997.

Transplant Throwback: Kay Walters

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A new marketing campaign will help tax preparers and Michigan tax payers check a brand new box on state income tax forms to sign up.

Do taxes. Save lives.

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Mike Lopez (left) received a liver transplant when John Edmond (right) donated his 7-year old daughter's organs

A brotherhood is born out of death, life and gratitude

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Curpri Sanders received the gift of a tissue donation for her reconstruction surgery after a double mastectomy.

Tissue donor changes life for breast cancer survivor

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Guadalupe Alejos, who received a kidney transplant 50 years ago, standing in front of the Kidney Transplant Center sign

Transplant Throwback: Guadalupe Alejos 

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Heart transplant recipient Rachel Kuntzsch

Lansing heart recipient saves lives by telling her story of hope

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A group of Gift of Life staff, transplant recipients and legislators gathers around Governor Whitmer, who is seated at her desk and holding up the signed Check Your Heart Act

New law lets residents sign up through tax forms

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Newborn baby wrapped in orange towel with headband

Baby Jade Townsend saves the life of another infant

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Artelia Griggs, donor mother, receiving an award from Christine Peiter, Gift of Life employee and tissue graft recipient

Gift of Life’s gala generates thousands for critical programs

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101-year-old Katherine Steck holding a flower arrangement. Katherine donated tissues after her passing.

Think again if you believe you’re too old to be a donor

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Tristan Johnson and his parents speaking at a podium

‘It happened to me’

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Terra DeFoe, donor mother, stands in front of a church stained glass window

National Minority Donor Awareness Month

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101-year-old Katherine Steck holding a flower arrangement. Katherine donated tissues after her passing.

What is the Age Limit for Organ & Tissue Donation?

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A woman with long brunette hair in a white dress and a man in a blue shirt and khakis stand arm-in-arm

Tracy and Holly: a Love Story

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Fenton couple draws on experience to promote organ donation

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Artelia Griggs and Donnie Parker wave as they finish the 5K walk

LIFE Walk returns to historic Belle Isle for 25th year

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Patrick Price, a bearded Black man with glasses in a blue suit, stands in front of a birthday cake and smiles at the camera

Saginaw man determined to regain health, mobility

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A woman standing in front of a red brick wall holding a framed photo of a young boy

‘Organ donation was the right thing to do’

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Newborn baby wrapped in orange towel with headband

Born a hero

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Man and woman with arms raised and mountains in the background

The Greatest Heart Hug

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organ donation myths

Organ donation advocate works to break down myths

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Brother donates kidney to save older sibling

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‘It’s all in Divine order’

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‘This community has really touched my heart’

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‘I woke up, and I felt whole’

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‘I felt brand new’

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African American man in red chef uniform

Two-time kidney recipient inspires others to lead healthier lives

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50 fo fifty, Her spirit is truly alive

‘She had a higher purpose’

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Brotherly love: donated kidney provides second chance at life

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