Legislation prohibits discrimination in organ transplant system

HB 4762 protects disabled patients, helps save lives Legislation approved in the Michigan House of Representatives today will help ensure equity within the organ transplant system in the state. House Bill 4762, sponsored by State Rep. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian), protects possible organ transplant recipients from discrimination based on physical or mental disability. “Gift of Life […]

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Older couple standing in front of their house, arm in arm

After kidney and liver transplant, Michigan man is back out hunting

Rob Rudzki is living proof of the good organ donation can do. More than seven years after a kidney and liver transplant, Rob is still healthy, back out bow-hunting, and spending quality time with his dog, Lacey. “Today he looks great! If someone didn’t tell you he had had a transplant, you would never know,”

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Senator Kevin Daly stands at a podium in front of a Check Your Heart banner on the Michigan Capitol steps

Gift of Life Michigan calls for action as Michigan Organ Donor Registry grows at the slowest pace since its founding

About 2,400 patients are waiting in Michigan this month for a life-saving organ transplant. The best way to save their lives is to grow the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. More than 90% of all registrations come from the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) asking the donor registration question when IDs and driver’s licenses are renewed.

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CEO Dorrie Dils talks to a small group standing in front of the new donor process mural at Gift of Life Michigan

New murals and displays educate and move visitors at Gift of Life Michigan

Foundation generously supports project to honor donors and celebrate recipients A stroll down the long hallway of Gift of Life’s Donor Care Center in Ann Arbor is giving visitors a look at how donation works with photos, graphics and words. In all, six displays honor donors, celebrate new life for recipients and explain organ and

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Man at podium in front of extra large screen showing photo of a little girl and her name, Amaia

Lansing father of 7-year-old donor presents award to producers of popular ‘Chicago Med’ in Hollywood

Donate Life Hollywood reached out to Gift of Life Michigan and one other organ procurement organization this year asking for help. The donation advocacy group asked Gift of Life to nominate a donor family to help honor television producers at the annual Donate Life Hollywood Inspire Awards in August The ceremony recognizes producers who create

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woman smiling at camera

Staff Spotlight: For a decade, Stephanie Sommer has been the face of Gift of Life for MEs and funeral homes

Stephanie Sommer has visited more medical examiner offices in Michigan than most medical examiners. And then there are the funeral homes. Her work as senior medical examiner (ME) and funeral home liaison is about clearing the path to donation for donors and families who want to help others with their gifts. It also involves making

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Woman holding a round floragraph with the image of her daughter on it

Volunteer Spotlight: Longtime volunteer honors her daughter by teaching others about donation

Artelia Griggs helps save lives by telling everyone she can about organ and tissue donation. She also does it as a loving tribute to her own daughter’s legacy of giving.  “It’s been a wonderful thing that I’ve been able to talk about her and keep her memory alive and knowing that while I’m talking about

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Fenton couple draws on experience to promote organ donation

‘I wasn’t afraid of dying. There’s always hope,’ lung transplant recipient says Jesse and Carlee Ramirez almost didn’t find their happily-ever-after. Jesse, now 62, and Carlee, 52, had just started dating when Jesse was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and given a short amount of time to live. “I came out of the doctor’s office

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Graphic celebrating 1 million organ transplants, with Gift of Life Michigan and United Network for Organ Sharing logos

U.S. reaches historic milestone of 1 million organ transplants

Gift of Life Michigan joins national ‘Living it Forward’ initiative to advance next million Ann Arbor, MI – The U.S. organ donation system has made history, surpassing 1 million organ transplants, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Gift of Life Michigan, a key member of the nationwide organ donation and transplant system

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