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 »
Chad Milton knows the spirit of his late wife lives on – he’s even heard proof. A traffic accident claimed Mary Milton in 2016, shortly after the 43-year-old left their home to go to the gym. Mary was a registered donor, but Chad was skeptical of the process and hesitant, at first. He laid next
‘Mary’s spirit will always live on, and it’s a beautiful thing’ Read More »
Gift of Life Michigan has been certified as a Great Place to Work, based on employee feedback from a survey in November. Based on the survey, 74 percent of employees indicated Gift of Life is a great place to work, compared to a 59 percent positive response from the average company. The threshold for certification
Gift of Life Michigan certified as ‘Great Place to Work’ Read More »
When Michael Collier says he’s in better shape now than he was more than 20 years ago, it’s easy to believe him. Nearly 11 years ago, a heart transplant saved his life and gave him a new perspective on faith and humanity. “Now I’m 76 and I’m doing better physically than I was back in
Heart transplant provides new lease, perspective on life Read More »
Future Health Professionals rally to increase number of Michigan organ and tissue donors There are nearly 1,000 new organ and tissue donors registered in Michigan, thanks to the efforts of students across the state. The students, from Michigan Health Occupation Students of America – known as HOSA-Future Health Professionals – have just completed their
‘It has to stop because too many people are losing their lives,’ says donor mom Terra DeFoe encouraged her son, Emilio, to sign up as an organ donor when he turned 18. Little did she know that he would give that legacy of kindness only six years later. Her son experienced a heart aneurism in
Organ donation advocate works to break down myths Read More »
Gift of Life Michigan is once again looking to honor our partners throughout the state at our annual Champions Gala on Friday, April 1, 2022. We would not be as successful as we are without our many donation champions at every step in the process. We are looking for nominees in the following categories: Secretary
Seeking Gift of Life Champion Nominations Read More »
‘I’d do it again if I could, but you can only do it once’ When Ryan Miller needed a new kidney, there was a long line of people willing to donate one – including his younger brother, Steven. Diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at the age of 14, Ryan was told he would need a
Can a Family Member Donate a Kidney: Brother Donates Kidney Read More »
Organ donation helps two families heal, grow and bond Twenty years ago, Dr. Michael Hagan was living on borrowed time. Hagan, now 71, knew he was ill, he just didn’t know how ill. He knew his liver was failing and his only hope for survival was a liver transplant. He had been living with that
Technology, education, and outreach led to record-breaking growth In a year that has already seen three record-breaking months, Gift of Life Michigan is approaching another milestone: honoring the wishes of 10,000 organ donors during the 50 years since its founding in 1971. After record months in June, July and August, Gift of Life Michigan is
Gift of Life Michigan celebrates 50 years of saving, improving lives Read More »
More than 95 percent of people on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry signed up to donate life while they were getting (or renewing) their driver’s license or state ID. Our incredible partners at the Michigan Department of State play an integral role in the organ, eye, and tissue donation process. They are usually the first
50 Years of Partnership in Honoring Life Through Donation Read More »
Aarolyn McCullough knew she would need a liver transplant more than 10 years before her miracle happened. Diagnosed in the late 1990s with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, a disease that attacks the bile ducts in the liver, she said she didn’t pay much attention when doctors told her the only cure for condition would be a
‘It’s all in Divine order’ Read More »
Mustafa Sharafi always wanted to be a father. He was granted that wish more than three years ago, when his son Zain was born, and said he has been grateful every day since. “To have a child is such a blessing. I never would have thought I’d be able to have a child,” he said.
‘I don’t celebrate one birthday; I celebrate two’ Read More »
