Congratulations to the 18 people and organizations we will recognize at Gift of Life Michigan’s seventh Champions Gala on May 2. They were selected from dozens of nominations for their extraordinary efforts to promote or make organ, eye and tissue donation happen in Michigan over the past 18 months and beyond.
Without them, and other passionate advocates across the state, Gift of Life’s efforts to fulfill the generous decisions of donors and their families would be difficult to impossible.
Please join us at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit for an evening to remember complete with cocktails, dinner and an inspiring awards ceremony to honor our winners.
For information about how to buy tickets, become a gala sponsor, and all other information about the 2025 event, go to golm.org/gala.
Join us in celebrating 2025’s winners
Legislative Partner: Sen. Kevin Daley, Lapeer County
Community Partner: Michigan Donor Family Council
Volunteer: Debora Dearring, Southfield
Multicultural Difference Maker: Leslie Palacios, Grand Rapids
Donation Storyteller: WDIV-TV, Detroit
Educator: Heather Willing, Grand Blanc High School
Nurse: Cessa Kellogg, Munson Medical Center
Physician: Dr. Silas Norman, Michigan Medicine
Hospital Donation Liaison: Christine Wilson, University of Michigan Health – Sparrow
Hospital Staff — Nurse Practitioner: Tim Lagasse, McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital
Hospital Staff — Social Worker: Natalie Maes, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Innovation Award: Yvonne Jackson, Julene Kruithof and Nancy Bekken, Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
Medical Examiner: Dr. Russell Bush, Saginaw County
Funeral Professional: Brian S. Merkle, Merkle Funeral Services, Monroe
Transplant Center: Henry Ford Transplant Institute, Detroit
Honoring Life Through Donation: Debra Wyant, Donor Mother
Legacy Award: Marge Del Greco, Team Michigan
Hospital of the Year: Hurley Medical Center, Flint
