Erik

Erik Thomas

Erik Thomas was a loving husband, brother, son and father. He worked as a pro golfer and loved rooting for his favorite Michigan sports teams.  

He had a weak heart but despite his health challenges, he never complained. He was on the transplant list waiting for a heart when he passed away. While he didn’t receive his lifesaving gift, Erik was able to donate his liver, tissue and corneas, saving and healing multiple lives. 

His daughter Erika was just 12 years old when he passed away in 2018. Her father’s generosity inspired her to learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation. 

erika

Erika was inspired to get more involved with organ, eye and tissue donation after her visit to the John Ball Zoo for Gift of Life Michigan’s Annual Donate Life Night at the Zoo. She wanted other people her age to know the impact they could have.  

She started to find ways to educate her peers. In 2022, she decided to participate in her hometown’s Miss Stanton pageant and chose organ donation as her platform. As part of this she invited كلنا, Gift of Life’s award-winning free educational program on organ, eye and tissue donation, to her sophomore biology class. 

Erika continued to bring كلنا into her school. She even began sharing her own connection with her peers during the presentation. During her senior year, she decided it was time to go beyond just her classroom. As part of National Donate Life Month, she worked with the National Living Donor Organization and Gift of Life to host an assembly for both the middle school and high school where she shared her story. 

After graduating high school, Erika was accepted into Central Michigan University. She is majoring in Music Education and recently found a new way to raise awareness, by creating her own student organization.  

Gift of Life at CMU

As a freshman at Central Michigan University, Erika continues her work, determined to keep spreading the message. When she discovered the Campus Challenge—a program encouraging students to sign up for the Michigan Organ Donor Registry—she didn’t hesitate. With guidance from her advisor, she took the challenge a step further by starting a student organization dedicated to the cause.  

While the organization is still in its early stages, it has already gained traction. At CMU’s Main Stage event, where student organizations introduce themselves to new members, around 20 students expressed interest in joining. Now, Erika and her core team are working to establish regular meetings and events to keep the momentum going.  

When asked what her goal is she said, “To get as many students and faculty signed up on the Donor Registry as possible.”  

Throughout all her work, she carries her father’s memory with her. Recently she even got a tattoo of a cardinal perched on a golf club to honor him.