Gift of Life will host the seventh annual Champions Gala on Friday, May 2, 2025 at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit.
The annual Champions Gala has recognized more than 140 people and organizations supporting organ, eye and tissue donation at the highest level in Michigan since the event began in 2019.
The awards represent every aspect of the donation process from efforts to grow the Michigan Organ Donor Registry to incredible work at schools, hospitals, transplant centers and more.
There are many ways to support organ, eye and tissue donation through sponsorship of the Champions Gala.
2025 Champion Award Winners
Legislative Partner
Sen. Kevin Daley, Lapeer County
Community Partner
Michigan Donor Family Council
Volunteer
Debora Dearring, Southfield
Multicultural Difference Maker
Leslie Palacios, Grand Rapids
Donation Storyteller
WDIV-TV, Detroit
Educator
Heather Willing, Grand Blanc High School
Nurse
Cessa Kellogg, Munson Medical Center
Physician
Dr. Silas Norman, Michigan Medicine
Hospital Donation Liaison
Christine Wilson, University of Michigan Health – Sparrow
Hospital Staff — Nurse Practitioner
Tim Lagasse, McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital
Hospital Staff — Social Worker
Natalie Maes, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Innovation Award
Yvonne Jackson, Julene Kruithof and Nancy Bekken, Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
Medical Examiner
Dr. Russell Bush, Saginaw County
Funeral Professional
Brian S. Merkle, Merkle Funeral Services, Monroe
Transplant Center
Henry Ford Transplant, Detroit
Honoring Life Through Donation
Debra Wyant, Donor Mother
Legacy Achievement Award
Marge Del Greco, Team Michigan
Hospital of the Year
Hurley Medical Center, Flint
2024 Champions Gala photos
“We simply want to draw as many people as we can so they can experience it.”
Susan Rink, director of advancement, Gift of Life Michigan
