Gift of Life Michigan is celebrating a milestone this year: the 50th anniversary of our founding.
Founded in 1971 by four surgeons who wanted to develop a more efficient way to get life-saving organs to the patients who so desperately needed them, Gift of Life Michigan has evolved through the years, adding services, its own surgical suite and laboratory – and helped save thousands of lives.
We’ve honored the generosity of more than 9,500 organ donors since then, as well as more than 24,500 tissue donors since we added that service in 1988. Because a single donor can save as many as eight lives – and, on average, saves three – and help up to 75 others through donated eyes, tissue and bone, it’s easy to see just how large an impact organ and tissue donation has had on the lives of the people we serve.
We are highlighting 50 stories in honor of our 50 years of service throughout 2021. It is our hope to inspire others through these stories of hope, faith, courage and the ultimate act of kindness.
“We hope that by sharing these heartwarming stories we can continue to break down stigmas and myths attached to organ and tissue donation and motivate everyone who has not already signed up to add their name to the Michigan Donor Registry,” said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan. “We also want to honor everyone who has so generously donated to provide others a second chance at life.”
Be sure to check our Facebook and Instagram pages and watch for the #50for50 hashtag. You can also find them here.
