Support Gift of Life Michigan

Supporters of Gift of Life Michigan make it possible for us to deepen our care of donor families, expand our award-winning program to educate youth about organ and tissue donation, and increase our outreach efforts to grow the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and save more lives.

Making a financial contribution

Your generous gift - regardless of size - can make a big difference to increase awareness about organ and tissue donation and grow the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. Your financial gift helps save lives.

Support donor families and transplant recipients

Mary Taylor's daughter and son were donors, 12 years apart

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 Michigan Organ 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 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.” 

Carla Bussell, pictured here with her husband at the Check Your Heart Capitol Rally, received a double lung transplant.

Carla Bussell, double lung recipient

Carla’s life was saved in 2020 after 11 years of desperately waiting for new lungs. She can finally breathe again.  

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 para breathe 

Because of her transplant, Carla has been able to travel, live a full life and watch her family grow. 

This past summer, 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.” 

Erica Thomas lost her father, who was waiting for an organ transplant. At the end of his life he was able to help others through donation.

Erica Thomas, donor daughter

Erica 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.

In the time since her father’s passing, she welcomed Gift of Life Michigan’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, Erica plans to o continue sharing her story. 

“I am going to try my best to get the word out there any way I can.” 

No gift is too small

How your contributions can help

$20

Purchases the fabric needed to make one Comfort Blanket for a donor's grieving family.

$69

Covers Todos nosotros education program materials for one classroom of 50 students.

$106

Pays for a transplant recipient's monthly supply of Tacrolimus, an anti-rejection drug.

$162

Buys two Gift of Life teddy bears for donor families.

$371

Provides three months of Medicare Part B for a transplant recipient who can't afford it.

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Apoyando a las familias de donantes en duelo

Our enhanced grief programming will support our donor families during their time of need. That journey is unique to each family member and our programming seeks to meet them where they are in the process. 

High school students in business attire holding an award

Cambiando el futuro

It is important that the Michigan Organ Donor Registry be representative of our population. Efforts to increase the number of registered donors within multicultural communities is extremely important.

Foundation Supporters

Educar a nuestra comunidad

Many myths and misconceptions about organ, eye and tissue donation persist. Our outreach includes educating and inspiring community members in order to address questions and concerns.

Pam and Krishna Sawhney standing with the red "Pam's All of Us Traveling Trunks"

Changing the future through major gifts

Thanks to the generosity of Bloomfield Hills residents Pamela and Krishna Sawhney, Gift of Life Michigan has been able to grow the Todos nosotros program, a unique hands-on learning experience for high schoolers. The Sawhneys fervently believe educating youth about organ, eye and tissue donation will help save the lives of patients waiting for transplants for years to come.  

“If you want to inspire change, teach the children, who will then teach their parents.” - Krishna Sawhney.

Their $125,000 gift, the largest in the organization’s 51-year history, helped purchase the materials needed for the Todos nosotros Student Education Program Traveling Trunk and grow the organ, eye and tissue donation program statewide. 

Your generous gift - regardless of size - can make a big difference to increase awareness about organ and tissue donation and grow the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. A donation of $20 allows us to purchase the fabric needed to make on comfort blanket for a donor’s grieving family. For $69 you can cover the cost of All of Us education program materials for one classroom of 50 students.

Join with us today as we honor life through donation. Help us realize that day when organ and tissue donation is the cultural norm in Michigan, and nobody dies waiting for a life-saving transplant

Two women embracing while sad.

Honrando la vida

Un regalo conmemorativo o tributo es una forma significativa de honrar a su ser querido o recordar una ocasión especial. Su obsequio conmemorativo o tributo será un testimonio duradero para su ser querido y marcará una diferencia en las vidas de aquellos a quienes servimos.

Make a contribution now.

The Livonia Stevenson High School softball team in Gift of Life jerseys for a fundraising game

Eventos de terceros

Engage your business, team or civic group in supporting Gift of Life's mission. Whether it's a charity event, a fundraising dinner or donating a percentage of sales, we are excited to work with you to make it a success.

Contact us to learn more.

Photo of a smartphone screen showing social media icons

Social Media Fundraising

Creating a Facebook Fundraiser or adding a "Donate" sticker to an Instagram post or story are easy ways to engage your family and friends in supporting Gift of Life!

Start your Facebook Fundraiser.

Grandfather holding his young grandson

Donación de legado

Un regalo conmemorativo o tributo es una forma significativa de honrar a su ser querido o recordar una ocasión especial. Su obsequio conmemorativo o tributo será un testimonio duradero para su ser querido y marcará una diferencia en las vidas de aquellos a quienes servimos.

Make a contribution now.

Contact us about charitable giving

Susan Rink, director of advancement
Director of Advancement

Susan Rink

Susan oversees the organization's charitable giving, philanthropy, grants and related programs.

Contact Susan to discuss planned giving, gifts in memory of others and third-party fundraisers.

History of Giving at Gift of Life Michigan

Up until recently, stewardship of the advancement efforts to further the mission of Gift of Life Michigan has been guided by the Gift of Life Foundation.

In an effort to maximize our efforts to impact the donation and transplantation community, the two organizations with the support of their Governing Boards agreed to merge.

The outstanding leadership and dedication of the Foundation Board of Trustees has helped our programming grow and maximize the impact of our support to our community partners.

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