fbpx

‘It happened to me’

Tristan Johnson and his parents speaking at a podium

Transplant recipients tell their stories to 100 visitors at Gift of Life Michigan Community Open House

Rachel Kuntzsch speaks at the podium Both Rachel Kuntzsch and Tristan Johnson were healthy and active when their doctors delivered unimaginable diagnoses of life-threatening illnesses.

Both required immediate placement on the nation’s organ transplant waiting list, and both were on the receiving end of life-saving human kindness.

Rachel, of Lansing, and Tristan, of Portage, visited Gift of Life Michigan at the organization’s Check Your Heart Community Open House on August 3 to share their stories, moving many in the audience to tears.

Their inspiring stories are what Gift of Life Michigan works toward every single day, President and CEO Dorrie Dils told the packed conference center.

President & CEO Dorrie Dils at the podium in a packed conference center“It was incredibly moving to hear Tristan – a happy, healthy student-athlete – talk about how his kidney transplant saved his life and transformed his entire outlook,” Dils said. “And Rachel was so fortunate that a match was found quickly after sudden-onset heart failure nearly took her life.”

“We can’t thank them enough for being with us and giving us their ‘It can happen to anyone’ perspective.”

Dils added, “We are always excited to welcome the community to our Ann Arbor headquarters. The open house not only gave visitors a glimpse of our Donor Care Center and murals, but our guests were also able to understand the donation process and get an up-close view of what happens in our laboratory, where Michigan organ donors and their transplant recipients are matched.” Gift of Life is one of six organ procurement organizations in the nation to have a histocompatibility laboratory onsite.

Betsy Miner-Swartz shows the donor tribute mural to a group at Gift of LifeYoung boy tries on a pair of glasses that mimic the need for a cornea transplantGift of Life hosts an open house at least once a year, typically in August. Anyone wishing to see the headquarters for Michigan’s organ and tissue donation program is encouraged to email [email protected]. Gift of Life accommodates group tours any time of the year.

 

Read More Posts
Guadalupe Alejos, who received a kidney transplant 50 years ago, standing in front of the Kidney Transplant Center sign

Transplant Throwback: Guadalupe Alejos 

Name: Guadalupe Alejos Age: 77 Home: Grand Rapids Transplant: Kidney at Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center…

Read More
Heart transplant recipient Rachel Kuntzsch

Lansing heart recipient saves lives by telling her story of hope

Life was “exceedingly rich” for Rachel Kuntzsch when it nearly slipped into darkness forever. She…

Read More
Someone holding a pen signing their state income tax form

New law lets residents sign up through tax forms

Michigan residents who haven’t yet added their names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry will…

Read More
Newborn baby wrapped in orange towel with headband

Baby Jade Townsend saves the life of another infant

Case results in protocol change with worldwide implications One of Gift of Life Michigan’s smallest…

Read More
Check Your Heart graphic featuring Aimee Cruz saying "I'm here today because someone checked their heart."

Using digital marketing to save lives

Growing awareness one impression at a time Gift of Life Michigan is working to educate…

Read More
Artelia Griggs, donor mother, receiving an award from Christine Peiter, Gift of Life employee and tissue graft recipient

Gift of Life’s gala generates thousands for critical programs

Popular signature event will grow in 2024 The annual Champions Gala honoring people and organizations…

Read More
Scroll to Top