fbpx

Gift of Life Michigan wins two Pinnacle Awards

pinnacle_release_graphic_1

Multicultural outreach projects earn top honors from Donate Life America

Ann Arbor, MI – Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s federally designated organ procurement organization, has been nationally recognized for two initiatives designed to increase awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation and encourage people to register on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.The Matter of Faith video and Let's Talk multicultural outreach earned national recognition for Gift of Life Michigan.

Gift of Life earned two Donate Life America Pinnacle Awards for projects related to its multicultural outreach. “Let’s Talk,” Gift of Life’s ongoing outreach initiative aimed toward minority populations, earned the award in the Best Media Campaign category. “A Matter of Faith,” a video that speaks to the acceptance of organ and tissue donations among most major faith traditions, earned the Best Multicultural Outreach award. Donate Life America is a national non-profit committed to increasing the number of donated organs, eyes and tissue available to save and heal lives, and the Pinnacle Awards recognize programs successful in inspiring more people to register as donors and establishing donation as a cultural norm.

“We are honored and humbled at the recognition these vital programs received,” said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan. “We are dedicated to reaching these communities, not just to provide information and education, but to listen and engage in conversation about the need for minority donors.”

Let’s Talk, now in its second year, has focused on virtual outreach due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Gift of Life has updated the Let’s Talk pages on its website to feature new videos, additional stories from donor families and recipients alike and has also hosted Facebook Live events and online forums.

“We are always looking for new methods to engage our communities in this critical conversation,” said Remonia Chapman, Community Outreach Manager at Gift of Life. “By sharing our experiences, we can break through these myths, overcome these obstacles and save more lives.”

The Matter of Faith video features leaders from all major faith traditions discussing organ, eye and tissue donation as it relates to their respective cultures.

Michael G. Gray, producer and director of the video, said he was inspired to advocate for donation after a high school classmate passed unexpectedly and was able to donate his organs to save others.

“When I began crafting this story, I knew that my goal was to encourage other people to sign up to become organ and tissue donors without having to feel the pain of losing a loved one to understand the impact it has,” he said. “So, for each person that watches this video and gives donation a second thought, I get to continue to honor his life.”

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