fbpx

Teen saves five lives through donation

destini_1

‘We’re so, so grateful she made this choice,’ family says

Montcalm, MI – Destini Cunliffe excelled at many things, but she is perhaps best known for her ability to make friends. The 18-year-old Montcalm woman’s life was tragically cut short recently; she became an organ donor on Jan. 14, 2021. Destini Cunliffe saved five lives through organ donation

“She would meet someone and, within five minutes they’d be best friends,” said her aunt, Shauna LaFave. “She’s going to be very, very missed by a lot of people.”

Cunliffe was a senior at Greenville High School, where she played softball. She was also heavily involved in dance from a young age, LaFave said, and she enjoyed cheering people up. She dreamed of traveling the world.

“Every since she was little, she’s always been in dance. It was like her release, I think, her happy,” LaFave said. “If you were sad she’s start doing something silly and a lot of it involved dancing. It always cheered us up.”

Cunliffe had just purchased a truck and was out celebrating with friends when they found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. After an encounter suddenly turned violent, she and another girl were shot. Cunliffe died at the hospital, the other girl is still recovering. Police have two suspects in custody and are searching for additional persons of interest.

Cunliffe was a registered organ donor, having signed up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry when she received her driver’s license in 2020. When asked then if she wanted to sign up, Cunliffe responded with an enthusiastic “yes.”

“She said: ‘Why would I need them?’” LaFave said. “’I want people to be able to breathe and run and play and do all of those things. If I can help someone else, I want to do that.’”

Her gifts saved the lives of five people. Both kidneys, both lungs, her liver and her heart were recovered, which has helped her family cope with their sudden loss. They hosted a vigil in her honor on Jan. 23 and are encouraging friends, family and the community to sign up as donors.

“We’re so, so grateful that she made that choice,” LaFave said. “It has brought so much comfort to my family, knowing she is still giving. Her heart is still beating. She is still helping people, even though she isn’t here. It’s really the most beautiful thing that she could have done.”

To sign up on the Donor Registry, click here.

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