Gifts pay for efforts to grow the Donor Registry
Gift of Life’s annual fundraising appeal is underway with an email campaign and a brochure mailer for friends and advocates of Gift of Life, donation and transplantation.
The funding generated from this campaign will make some important things possible, said Susan Rink, Gift of Life’s director of advancement.
They include:
- Expansion of the Todos nosotros educational program, which teaches high schoolers how organ and tissue donation saves lives and gives them the information they need to decide about joining the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. Go to golm.org/allofusvideo to view the Todos nosotros video.
- Funding for critical outreach and education for a wide range of populations, cultures and communities statewide in hopes of growing the all-important Donor Registry.
- Grants to help some struggling transplant patients bridge gaps in their medical insurance and pay for life-sustaining anti-rejection medication.
“The generosity of our donation and transplant community is critical to helping us save more lives,” Susan said. “As we all know, growth of the Registro de donantes is the key and it takes a lot of money to pay for the programs and staff efforts taking place across the state every day.
“We are so grateful to those who have already contributed, including our own employees. We’re proud that 30% are giving back through payroll deduction. That says so much.”
Mary Taylor, donor mother
Mary Taylor proudly wears the photo of her only children, Charles and Portia, in a pendant around her neck. Both saved and healed the lives of others as registered organ and tissue donors.
It wasn’t until Mary’s son, Charles, died of an aneurysm in 2011 at 32 that she learned he had joined the Donor Registry. Charles’ generosity inspired others in his family to register, including his sister, Portia, who died of a heart attack 12 years later in 2023. She was 40 years old.
Gift of Life provided Mary with comfort blankets, teddy bears and plaques acknowledging her children’s life-saving gifts to others. Those plaques are displayed at their gravesites.
“Gift of Life Michigan provides the opportunity for families to leave a legacy,” Mary said. “Both of my children were extremely generous, helpful people. It is a blessing to live on and help others that are in need.”
Erika Thomas, donor family member and passionate advocate
Erika Thomas’ father died in 2018 while waiting for a new heart that never came.
But he was able to save and heal others as a liver, tissue and cornea donor.
At just 18, Erika has become a passionate advocate for organ donation. In the time since her father’s passing, she welcomed Gift of Life’s Todos nosotros high school education program into her own classroom. Then she kicked off National Donate Life Month by sharing her story during a joint assembly for Central Montcalm Middle School and High School and hosted a walk to help raise funds and awareness for organ donation.
Now in her freshman year at Central Michigan University, Erika plans to continue sharing her story.
“I am going to try my best to get the word out there any way I can.”
Carla Bussell, double-lung transplant recipient
Carla Bussell was diagnosed with lupus after giving birth to her fourth son. The autoimmune disease attacked her lungs, making it nearly impossible for her to breathe.
Carla’s life was saved in 2020 after 11 years of desperately waiting for new lungs.
Because of her transplant, Carla has been able to travel, live a full life and watch her family grow. She spends time with her grandchildren and is looking for ways to give back to her community.
She joined Gift of Life in Lansing at the annual Check Your Heart Rally in June.
And just a month later, Carla was able to connect for the first time with her donor’s family.
“I feel like I’m part of a little family that nobody else can really understand,” Carla said. “Thank you is not enough to say to Suzanne for the gift she gave me.”
What your contribution can do:
- $20 buys enough fabric to make one comfort blanket for a grieving donor’s family.
- $69 covers Todos nosotros education program materials for one classroom of 50 students.
- $106 pays for a recipient’s monthly supply of Tacrolimus, an anti-rejection drug.
- $162 buys 25 Gift of Life teddy bears for donor families, particularly children.
- $371 covers three months of Medicare Part B for a transplant recipient who can’t afford it.
If you are inspired to give any amount, please visit golm.org/appeal.
