Sharing the Message
Recent News, Education Resources, and More
You can also access media contact information, fact sheets, videos, graphics and more. Most importantly, we can help connect you with medical experts, transplant recipients and/or family members of organ and tissue donors to interview.
Let us know how we can help you with your news story. We’ve made recent statistics and facts about donation available below, as well as suggested terminology for your articles. Check out our latest news here!
Media Inquiries
Gift of Life Michigan can help connect you with medical experts, transplant recipients and/or family members of organ and tissue donors to interview for your story.
Patrick O'Brien
Vice President, Communications and External Relations
[email protected]
734-922-6020
R
ACHA KARDAHJI
Director of Marketing and Communications
[email protected]
734-922-6020
MELISSA FOSTER
Senior PR Specialist
[email protected]
734-922-6020
Media Kit
Gift of Life logo pack
Download the Gift of Life Michigan logo pack and branding guidelines.
Need a different size or format? Contact us!
Check Your Heart Logo Pack
Download the logo pack and branding guidelines for the Check Your Heart campaign.
Need a different size or format? Contact us!
Speaking the Language
Donation and Transplant Terminology
- Organ "recovery" is used nationwide to refer to organs transplanted, as a matter of accuracy, clarity and respect for organ donors and their families. Do not use the word "harvest," as it is considered harsh and it is not completely accurate.
- Similarly, use the phrase "deceased donor," never "cadaver."
- The term "life support" is inaccurate and confusing when used in relation to a deceased patient. The recommended phrasing is that a donor's body is kept on "mechanical support," or a ventilator until the time of donation.
What's Happening
Browse Recent Gift of Life Michigan News
News | January 14, 2025
Gift of Life Michigan promotes Jeff Patierno to vice president, hires new director of organ services
Gift of Life Michigan is proud to announce new promotions and additions within its clinical leadership team. Jeff Patierno has been promoted to vice president,…
News | January 9, 2025
2024 was a year of historical firsts and innovation for Gift of Life Michigan
More than 206,000 joined Michigan Organ Donor Registry 2024 was a year of growth, innovation and finding new ways to help patients in need for…
News | November 4, 2024
Grand Rapids pickleballers take on Guinness World Record for a worthy cause
Four Michigan pickleball players are hoping to set a new world record and raise both awareness and money all in one swing. West Michigan residents…
News | September 17, 2024
Michigan organ donor contributes to historic bone marrow transplant
A Michigan organ donor has made history and saved the life of a 68-year-old woman from Flint, Mich. Suffering from leukemia, she needed an urgent…
News | September 17, 2024
Gift of Life Michigan’s Sheila Alston receives Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation’s Nurse of the Year DAISY Award
Gift of Life Michigan is proud to announce that its own Senior Performance Improvement Specialist, Sheila Alston, received the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation…
Blog, News | July 22, 2024
Ryan Cormier Elected Chairperson of Accredited Tissue Banks Council
Gift of Life Michigan is proud to announce that Ryan Cormier, Director of Tissue Services for the organization has been elected Chairperson of the Accredited…
Resources
- These FAQs about Organ Procurement Organizations include information about the donation process, the impact of opioid deaths and relationships with medical examiner death investigations.
- Video content is available on Gift of Life Michigan's YouTube channel. Of particular interest is The Donation Process video, which can be downloaded as an MP4 file here.
- Each month Gift of Life Michigan publishes the number of people waiting for an organ transplant, by organ. A similar document specific to multicultural communities is available upon request.
Donation Facts
- Of the state's 7.6 million adults, more than 4.8 million are registered donors.
- The best way to indicate one's decision to donate life is to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.
- On average, 17 Michigan residents have organ transplants every week.
- The supply of organs donated doesn't come close to meeting the demand. Michigan has about 2,400 patients on the waiting list for a transplant. More than 100,000 people are waiting nationwide.
- Organ donors can save up to eight lives and tissue donors can substantially heal up to 75 sick, injured or blind people, sometimes as many as 125.