fbpx

Student non-profit honored by Gift of Life Michigan

key_2_finesse_small

Key2Finesse raises $75,000 for youth education, signs up 114 new organ, tissue donors

Key2Finesse, a non-profit organization founded by Metro Detroit high school students, was one of three organizations and 13 individuals honored by Gift of Life Michigan with a 2021 Donation Champion Award. The awards recognize extraordinary efforts to promote the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and those who help fulfill the wishes of donors and their families.Key2Finesse raised $75,000 and added 114 names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.

Key2Finesse, founded in 2015, works with a different non-profit every year to raise funds and exposure. In 2020, the group of high school students partnered with the Gift of Life Foundation, ultimately generating $75,000 for the Foundation and encouraging 114 people to sign up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. It was more money than the organization had raised in any prior year.

“We were so grateful when Key2Finesse selected us as their charity of choice in 2020,” said Susan Rink, Chief of philanthropy and foundation programs at Gift of Life. “This is an inspiring group of young people who are determined to give back to the community.”

The funds will allow Gift of Life to enhance the All of Us youth education program, which teaches students about organ, eye and tissue donation. The goal of the program is to provide students with accurate information about donation so they can make an informed decision when asked to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry when they apply for or renew their Michigan driver’s license. The grant will pay for several traveling trunks, which feature plastinated organ and tissue samples, glasses that simulate corneal blindness and workbooks, along with promotional items.

“We think this is an excellent use of the money they raised,” Rink said. “The education and awareness we can provide to their peers may save lives one day.”

Krish Ghosalkar, a Key2Finesse board member, said Key2Finesse students learned a lot working with Gift of Life last year and liked the idea of using the funds they raised to educate students in Michigan and to correct pre-conceived misconceptions about the process.

“If kids are educated properly, they can make informed decisions,” said Ghosalkar. “It really just boils down to saving lives. If we don’t educate young people now, they may never understand that.”

Other Champion Award winners are:

  • Secretary of State Employee: Maríaelena Hernandez, Secretary of State Branch Office, SW Detroit
  • Volunteer: Scott Campbell, West Michigan
  • Multicultural Difference Maker: Brandon Corder, Beats X Beers, Flint
  • First Responder: Huron Valley Ambulance
  • Donation Storyteller: Ingrid Kelley, FOX 2 Detroit
  • Medical Examiner: Dr. Carl Schmidt, Medical Examiner, Wayne County
  • Certified Physician Assistant: Blair Cotton, Spectrum Health
  • Nurse: Tonia Cole, McLaren Flint Hospital, Flint
  • Physician: Dr. Jeffrey Wilt, Ascension Michigan Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo
  • Donation Liaison: Valerie Canary, Hurley Medical Center, Flint
  • Funeral Professional: Harry J. Will Funeral Homes, Metro Detroit
  • Transplant Center Professional: Dr. Damanpreet Bedi, Beaumont Royal Oak
  • Hospital Executive Leader: Lisa Friedman, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor
  • Honoring Life Through Donation Award: John Edmond, Lansing
  • Donor Hospital of the Year: Spectrum Butterworth, Grand Rapids
  • Legacy Award: Cathy Warren, Donate Life Coalition

This is the third year Gift of Life has recognized Donation Champions throughout the state. Last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the awards were handed out individually and winners celebrated via social media and other digital channels.

“Gift of Life Michigan is so fortunate to have so many dedicated partners assist us with our mission of honoring life through donation,” said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan. “Every year there are so many worthy nominees. These champions represent the best of the best, but it is a difficult decision every year.”

Read More Posts

More than 100 staff at Munson Medical Center gathered to celebrate their upcoming Hospital of the Year Award - many of them came in on their day off to join the celebration.

Munson Medical Center Named Hospital of the Year by Gift of Life Michigan

Munson’s John Stanifer, MD and ICU Manager, Eric Jean also to be recognized. Gift of…

Read More
children holding hands

Can a Living Person Donate a Liver?

The liver is an important organ. It filters toxins out of your blood. You can’t…

Read More

Can You Donate Your Placenta?

The placenta is a one-of-a-kind organ that plays a significant role in pregnancy. It assists…

Read More
A happy family

What Tissue can be Donated?

There are several tissues that one can donate to save lives. This includes cornea, tendons,…

Read More
Dr. Bedi, Rachel Kuntzsch and Sarah Scantamburlo are new Gift of Life Governing Board members

Gift of Life Michigan announces new board members

New board members will bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the table Gift of Life…

Read More
2023 was a record year for Gift of Life Michigan with 578 organ donors and 1,858 tissue donors

Gift of Life Michigan smashes record for organ donors in 2023

More than 213,000 people join Donor Registry Gift of Life Michigan helped a record 578…

Read More
Scroll to Top