fbpx

Gift of Life achieves new marks while saving and improving lives in 2013

Gift of Life Michigan logo

Ann Arbor, Mich. – In 2013, Gift of Life Michigan helped 1,064 people donate organs and tissues for transplant as their final act of generosity.

Those donors and their families provided 915 organs for transplant – each one representing a life saved – and tens of thousands of tissue grafts that will lead to better mobility and health for the recipients.

“Donation has the power to heal lives. We are forever thankful for these donors and for their families. They have left a legacy of generosity,” said Richard Pietroski, chief executive officer of Gift of Life, the state’s federally designated organ and tissue recovery organization

The 915 organs are the second most transplanted in a year for Gift of Life, which was founded in 1971. It corresponds to 3.23 organs transplanted per organ donor, a new high for the organization.

“This means we are ‘maximizing the gift,’ which is critical given the ever-increasing number of people waiting for transplants,” Pietroski said. “We can only do this through the dedication of our own staff and strong collaboration with donor hospitals and transplant centers.”

Other key figures from 2013:

  • There were 283 organ donors and 916 tissue donors (including some who also donated organs).
  • A record 29 percent of the organ donations were through a procedure known as donation after circulatory death, or DCD – well above the national goal of at least 10 percent of cases being DCD.
  • A record 177 lungs were transplanted, making Michigan a nationwide leader in this area.
  • Over 463,000 people joined the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, the second highest total ever.

In Michigan, as of Jan. 1, 2014, more than 3,200 people were in need of a life-saving organ transplant. Nationwide, the figure is over 120,000. Tens of thousands more could benefit from tissue transplants.

Gift of Life Michigan is the state’s federally designated organ and tissue recovery organization and serves as a liaison between donor hospitals and transplant centers. To join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, go to https://giftoflifemichigan.org/.

Read More Posts

Philip Perry holds up a sign highlighting that 95% of adults support organ donation but only 57% have signed up to be donors.

Monroe man raises awareness about organ donation while waiting for a new heart

Philip Perry is trying to stay busy and remain healthy – anything he can do…

Read More
Emily Polet-Monterosso in the foreground, hiking toward a snowy mountain peak.

Kidney donor reaches new heights

Shelby Township woman saves a life, then tackles Mts. Everest, Kilimanjaro Emily Polet-Monterosso got healthy…

Read More
Sara Schmidt, who became an organ donor, hugs her mother, Donna Ternes

Michigan woman pens book about daughter, organ donation

“But God” chronicles difficult life that led to a decision to save others Sara Schmidt’s…

Read More
Female doctor holding open chart looking at the camera

Donor Registry Awareness Bill introduced in Michigan

House Bill 4060 would increase awareness, provide education on organ and tissue donation State Reps….

Read More
Vickie Figeroa stands in front of several pews and stained glass windows

Heart recipient adopts second mission: Advocating for organ, tissue donation

“I always tell people to sign up,” Grosse Pointe Woods woman says Vickie Figueroa makes…

Read More
Two Black men at an information table sharing facts about organ donation

Don’t Let Misinformation About Organ Donation Affect Your Decisions

Don’t let misinformation about organ and tissue donation affect your decision to sign up as…

Read More
Scroll to Top