Foundation grant honors heart recipient who inspired many

At the check presentation at Gift of Life Michigan was (left to right): Patrick Wells-O’Brien, VP, Communications and External Relations; Lisa Galas, Julia Evans’ mother; Sandy Checkal; Marge Del Greco, Gift of Life Foundation Board Member; Renee and Rick VanderHagen, Crum and Forester.
At the check presentation at Gift of Life Michigan was (left to right): Patrick Wells-O’Brien, VP, Communications and External Relations; Lisa Galas, Julia Evans’ mother; Sandy Chekal; Marge Del Greco, Gift of Life Foundation Board Member; Renee and Rick VanderHagen, Crum & Forster.

 

On Saturday, Aug. 27, a $10,000 grant was presented to the Gift of Life Foundation in honor of a Julia Evans, a heart recipient and cancer survivor, who inspired many.

Sandy Chekal, an employee at Crum & Forster, an insurance company with more than 2,500 employees nationwide, was so inspired by Julia’s story she submitted a grant request in her honor to the Crum and Forster Charitable Impact Committee, which awarded the funds to the Gift of Life Foundation. The Gift of Life Foundation supports the mission and work of Gift of Life Michigan and the donation and transplant community.   

“We thank companies like Crum & Forster for their support of the Gift of Life Foundation,” said Patrick Wells-O’Brien, VP, Communications and External Relations. “Partnerships like this enable us to get the message out about joining the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, ultimately saving lives like Julia’s with a life-saving organ.”

Read More Posts
Jeff Patierno, Associate VP, Clinical Operations

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…

Read More
Ossium Health is working to find more sources of life-saving bone marrow for patients in need. Organ donors are now giving marrow through Gift of Life Michigan and other organizations.

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…

Read More
Marge Del Greco, two-time liver transplant recipient and Legacy Award recipient

2025 Champions Gala

Congratulations to the 18 people and organizations we will recognize at Gift of Life Michigan’s…

Read More
Tom Brock received a heart transplant in 1989.

Transplant Throwback: Tom Brock

Name: Tom Brock Age: 65  Home: Hartland Transplant: Heart Why did you need a transplant…

Read More
Sarah Jelsomeno holds up her Donate Life license plate

Donate Life license plates drive awareness

Readers share their messages  The back bumpers of thousands of vehicles across the state sport…

Read More
Man in scrubs in OR

Facts about tissue donation

Donors give life, sight and mobility to thousands  Q: Can anyone be a tissue donor?…

Read More
Scroll to Top