fbpx

Gift of Life conducts its first hand donation for transplantation

shayna_hand_donor

ANN ARBOR, MI— Gift of Life Michigan has helped a 21-year-old Norton Shores woman become the first in the state to donate her hands to another person.

Shayna Sturtevant also donated organs that saved the lives of three people after she died Sept. 14 of a brain abscess stemming from an ear infection. She was a registered organ, eye and tissue donor, and her family was told she was a match for a patient needing hands. The hand donation required special permission, which was granted by her parents. The recovery procedure took place at Gift of Life’s Ann Arbor surgical center.

“Shayna was such a giving person that I knew she would want to help someone who needed hands,” her mother, Debra Wyant, said. “I can’t imagine what life would be like without the ability to touch or hold or do things for yourself. Ultimately, saying yes to that was pretty easy. I hope her recipient is living a better life with my angel’s gifts.”

The recipient’s transplant was successful. Privacy laws prevent Gift of Life from disclosing details about the recipient and where the transplant was performed.

“This may not be ‘life-saving’ by definition, but if you can imagine life without your hands it must be incredibly life-altering,” said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life, the state’s federally designated organ and tissue donation program. “We are extremely grateful that Shayna’s family recognized this truly special gift. We hope they find comfort knowing she was a hero to others. And we wish for the continued recovery of all of Shayna’s recipients.”

In addition to her hands, Shayna donated her kidneys, lungs, pancreas and liver.

Hand donation and transplantation is a relatively new procedure in the United States. It involves the complicated, time-consuming transplantation of skin, bone, muscles, blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. Since 1999, only 30 people have received hand transplants in the United States; 18 single-hand transplants and 12 double-hand transplants, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Gift of Life works with transplant centers to try, as best as possible, to match the potential recipient’s hand size and skin tone with the donor’s.

“This is one more example of the advances being made in medicine,” Dils said. “But the foundation for the advances is the selflessness of donors and their families to say yes to helping and saving others.”

Hand donor Shayna Sturtevant's mother, Debra Wyant, writes a letter to her daughter's recipient

Debra Wyant writes a letter to the recipient of her daughter’s hands. Oliver is Shayna Sturtevant’s son.

The proud family of hand donor, Shayna Sturtevant. Left: Shayna’s fiance, Andy Steinhauer of Norton Shores, son Oliver, mother Debra Wyant.

#####

EDITOR’S NOTES:

  • Anyone can join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, regardless of age or health history. To join or to learn more, go to GiftOfLifeMichigan.org or call 866.500.5801.
Read More Posts
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
Blue, white and green infographic showing 2022: A Record Year with 463 organ donors and 1,821 tissue donors

Gift of Life Michigan sets record for organ, tissue donors in 2022

Gift of Life Michigan helped a record 463 people become organ donors and 1,821 give…

Read More
Portrait of Krishna and Pamela Sawhney

Bloomfield Hills couple pledges $125,000 to Gift of Life Michigan

Donation will support award-winning youth education program Pamela and Krishna Sawhney of Bloomfield Hills have…

Read More

Legislation prohibits discrimination in organ transplant system

HB 4762 protects disabled patients, helps save lives Legislation approved in the Michigan House of…

Read More
Scroll to Top