In the wake of the rapidly spreading new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, experts urge transplant recipients to use extra caution to protect themselves and their loved ones. The virus, first detected last year, is particularly dangerous to the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, and many organ transplant recipients fall under that latter category. […]

Updated: 3/17/2020 In the wake of the rapid spread of the new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, Gift of Life Michigan has taken steps to help protect patients, our staff and the communities we serve. Like organizations throughout the state, we are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution in order to ensure the

Although National Kidney Month is traditionally set aside to raise awareness of kidney disease and ways to lower risk factors, it also serves as an important reminder of the need for organ donors in the State of Michigan, particularly among the minority population. Kidney disease is more likely to affect African American, Latino and other

Dr. Clive Callender has made educating and empowering people his life’s work. Callender, a renowned surgeon and Professor of Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine, has dedicated his career to increasing awareness of and support for transplant medicine in minority communities. When he started, African Americans represented the lowest percentage of organ donors among

The medical and transplant community is mourning the recent loss of Jeremiah Turcotte, M.D. Dr. Turcotte was a trailblazer in the field of organ donation and transplantation, recognized across the country as a visionary leader. He passed on Feb. 12, 2020, at the age of 87. Dr. Turcotte was one of five transplant surgeons directly

Twenty years ago, Dr. Michael Hagan was living on borrowed time. Hagan, 70, an Ann Arbor resident, knew he was ill, he just didn’t know how ill. He knew his liver was failing and his only hope for survival was a liver transplant. He had been living with that diagnosis — as well as the

Advances in technology and continued expansion of the Organ Donor Registry helped Gift of Life Michigan – and organ procurement organizations across the country – save more lives than ever in 2019. In Michigan, 341 patients donated organs and 1,598 donated tissue last year. Both are increases from 2018 and signify the sixth consecutive year

The Donate Life float will once again have a special meaning for many people who take part in or watch the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day. The float, entitled “Light in the Darkness,” is designed to give hope to the thousands of people across the country awaiting a life-saving organ

The transplant community is continually working to solve a complex equation that involves time, distance and patient-donor compatibility to improve care and save lives. A lot of that work on increasing efficiencies takes place behind the scenes. Walter Herczyk, Laboratory Administrative Director at Gift of Life Michigan, who also serves as chair of the United