Our staff continues to work with our organ transplant center and tissue processing partners to get these life-saving gifts to the people who need them, while maintaining the safety of recipients, donor families, our staff, healthcare workers and the public.
All potential organ donors are being tested for COVID-19, as they are for any infectious disease. Gift of Life continues to thoroughly assess all potential organ and tissue donors, including those with a past or current COVID-19 positive test or infection.
An active case of COVID-19 is not necessarily a rule out for organ or tissue donation at this time. Many factors are considered, including the severity of COVID-19 disease, levels of COVID-19 viral replication and whether the donor has been symptomatic. COVID-19 protocols change regularly and are considered on a case-by-case basis.
We closely monitor and follow the precautions set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Michigan’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MiOSHA), along with other pertinent guidance to keep recipients, families, and staff safe.
Download our Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 (as it relates to organ & tissue donation and transplant) for more information.
Messages from Gift of Life 
October 11, 2021: Some transplant centers are asking patients to get a Covid-19 vaccine in order to be active on the waitlist.
March 30, 2021: Watch the replay of a livestream discussion for an update on how Covid-19 has affected organ donation and transplant. Meet a heart transplant recipient who has survived Covid-19!
Feb. 22, 2021: Death of a double-lung transplant recipient who contracted Covid-19 from the donor is doubly devastating. Article courtesy of the Detroit Free Press.
Feb. 10, 2021: Patients who have recovered from Covid-19 may still be able to donate organs and tissue. An updated Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 document is also available for reference.
Jan. 19, 2021: Some donors with a history of COVID-19 (but not an active case) are able to provide organs for transplant.
Oct. 30, 2020: Despite state changes and recent court rulings, Gift of Life Michigan will maintain Covid-19 safety protocols.
July 17, 2020: Gift of Life Michigan takes #MaskUpMichigan pledge to help businesses reopen safely.
June 18, 2020: Organ transplants return to pre-COVID-19 levels; double lung transplant performed to treat critical coronavirus patient.
May 19, 2020: #LetsTalkTuesday Medical Examiner and Funeral Home Liaisons Stephanie Sommer and Curpri Sanders discuss the important relationship between Gift of Life and our end-of-life partners, and how that work has been affected by the pandemic.
May 5, 2020: #LetsTalkTuesday Chief of People & Culture Nathalie Davis included Gift of Life's efforts to protect and assist staff during the coronavirus pandemic as part of her discussion on Facebook Live.
April 28, 2020: #LetsTalkTuesday Gift of Life Family Services Coordinator John Anderson and Aftercare Services Coordinator Alexis Harp talked about how their roles have changed in light of the coronavirus pandemic on Facebook Live.
April 21, 2020: #LetsTalkTuesday Donor Services Center manager Megan Selis and Donor Specialist Allison Minix were interviewed on Facebook Live about their roles in the donation process, differences between organ donation and tissue donation, and how COVID-19 has changed their work.
April 14, 2020: #LetsTalkTuesday Histocompatibility Laboratory Technologists Christine Peiter and Mary Ellen Huetteman were interviewed on Facebook Live about the role of lab testing in the donation process, and how that has changed during the pandemic.
April 10, 2020: COVID-19 update: protecting patients, staff and the community
April 7, 2020: #LetsTalkTuesday CEO Dorrie Dils was interviewed on Facebook Live about staff safety, patient safety and whether COVID-19 patients can donate organs and tissues.
April 3, 2020: National Donate Life Month: Our message in a time of crisis
March 26, 2020: Our work continues: A COVID-19 update
March 19, 2020: Gift of Life Michigan urges transplant community to take health and safety precautions
March 13, 2020: Gift of Life Michigan takes steps to protect staff, community during coronavirus outbreak
External Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- State of Michigan
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
- Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO)
- American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)
- Donate Life America (DLA)
- NAACP
- COVID-19 Transplant Resource Center
- FEMA financial assistance for funerals of covid patients