March is National Kidney Month Armond Baskin knew he had high blood pressure, but he didn’t know how serious it was. Diagnosed more than 20 years ago, the Flint man, now 40, thought he was managing his condition on his own when he learned he was dangerously close to losing his life. “I didn’t want […]
Flint man juggles work, family and kidney dialysis while waiting for a transplant Read More »
Life-saving technology in Michigan will triple the time for lungs to be transplanted Kyle Clark had just days to live when the news finally came that he was a match for new lungs. It was February of 2015 and Clark, then just 25 years old, was suffering with end-stage cystic fibrosis. He was listed for
New System Extends Life: Viability of Donated Lungs Read More »
Lansing woman advocates for organ, tissue donation on National Donor Day Rachel Kuntzsch was 44, healthy and active when sudden onset congestive heart failure upended and threatened her life in 2018. “In eight days, I went from thinking I had bronchitis to needing a new heart,” she said. “My family was bracing for the worst.”
‘I don’t take a single day for granted’ Read More »
Heart transplant gives Lauren a second chance at life. Jessica Koperski may be gone, but her heart is still beating and her legacy of generosity lives on. Her mother, Marcia Toda, knows this for a fact. Jessica was only 35 when she died in an automobile accident in 2020 but, more than a year later,
“I never knew what it was like to feel normal” Read More »
Gift of Life Michigan was thrilled to receive three Pinnacle Awards from Donate Life America in 2021 for some of the best community outreach programs in the nation. Our youth outreach program, called All of Us, was awarded the Best Multicultural Outreach Program. The successful and popular high school education program is expanding in 2022
Gift of Life Michigan earns top national awards for three community outreach programs Read More »
“All I want to do is volunteer and help out,” advocate says. Scott Campbell never let his condition slow him down – even after his second heart transplant. Born with self-corrected transposition of the great vessels, an extremely rare heart condition, Scott said his parents were told he’d need a heart transplant when he
Volunteer Spotlight: Scott Campbell shares message of hope after 2nd heart transplant Read More »
Nilam Patel helps team safely match donors with recipients in time to save lives. Nilam and her colleagues in Gift of Life Michigan’s Laboratory are medical matchmakers in the intricate organ donation process that transpires over a series of days and ends with lives saved. As the laboratory manager, she helps oversee technicians who work
Staff Spotlight: Leader in the Lab Read More »
Anyone who knew Cody Baron would expect to see his picture beside the words ‘selfless’ and ‘generous’ in the dictionary. “He lived each of his days with joy, laughter, and vigor,” said his mother, Wendy Smith. “He had a sense of innocence and a mission to make the world a more loving and beautiful place.”
Foundation Focus: Hockey with Heart Read More »
Gift of Life Michigan is celebrating its first Great Place to Work certification from Great Workplaces, a California research firm that gathers data from more than 100 million employee surveys nationwide. Great Workplaces then recognizes top companies that have built outstanding performance, engagement and workplace culture. The firm releases its list of best places to
Point of Pride: Gift of Life earns prestigious Great Place to Work distinction Read More »
Gift of Life Michigan is making a bold investment in its popular and successful All of Us high school curriculum so even more students can learn about organ, tissue and eye donation. Community outreach coordinators began talking with teens in 2018 at high schools in and around Grand Rapids. All of Us then expanded to
Organ and tissue donation trending up across the U.S. Gift of Life Michigan again honored the generosity of a record number of organ donors in 2021, saving and healing thousands of lives despite the continuing challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. In total, 1,089 organs were transplanted from 429 donors, which represents about a 14% increase
Record number of organ donors save lives in 2021 Read More »
Liver recipient turns miracle into advocacy After a liver transplant saved his life, Tim Davidson felt a responsibility to give back to the community and help others in his situation. “You have to live a different lifestyle,” said Davidson, 68, of Highland. “You have to honor that gift and take care of it. You have
‘You have to live like your donor is watching you’ Read More »
Erin Krause submitted this thoughtful remembrance on Facebook over the holidays; we’re sharing it here with her permission in hopes it brings comfort to donor families and hope to those who are awaiting a second chance at life. My husband Kyle would always say Christmas is my holiday, and he’s right. I’ve always been the
The Greatest Heart Hug Read More »
‘All I want to do is volunteer and help out,’ advocate says Scott Campbell never let his condition slow him down – even after his second heart transplant. Born with self-corrected transposition of the great vessels, an extremely rare heart condition, he said his parents were told he’d need a heart transplant when he
Caledonia man shares message of hope after 2nd heart transplant Read More »
Legislation enables organ transplants from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive patients Ann Arbor, MI – The HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act is now law in Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the legislation in December, with a formal signing ceremony tentatively scheduled for early next year. “We thank Governor Whitmer for signing the HOPE Act
Governor signs HOPE Act into law Read More »
