Fathers and daughters often share a unique bond, but for Ralph and Kristen Mutrynowski, that connection is even stronger. Ralph, now 70 and a Rochester Hills resident, donated a kidney to his daughter in 2014. She learned about her kidney issues during a routine trip to her OB/GYN while she was pregnant. Kristen had been […]
‘He’s my superhero’ Read More »
Annual event celebrates organ and tissue recipients, donors and donor families Livonia, MI – The Donate Life Transplant Games of America will be virtual again this year, but the fellowship participants feel continues to make this event very special. About 50 organ and tissue transplant recipients, their family members and volunteers gathered together on a
Flag-signing event launches Transplant Games of America Read More »
Jud Lynch knew he would need two things: a haircut and a kidney transplant. The 68-year-old Grand Rapids man just didn’t expect to get them both from the same person. He was diagnosed with IGA nephropathy in his 20s, an autoimmune disease in which antibodies build up in the kidneys and cause scarring. It has
‘She’s like another daughter’ Read More »
Two decades ago, Mark Otto would’ve been happy to gain just one more year of life. Then 34, his liver was failing and he was plagued by chronically itchy skin. He was jaundiced and extremely fatigued, sometimes sleeping 16 hours a day. “It was about as bad as it could get in the end,” said
‘It’s a miracle, top to bottom. No doubt about it.’ Read More »
Candice Desjarlais remembers the exact moment she decided to donate a kidney to her sister-in-law, Thelma. Thelma had just finished a five-and-a-half hour dialysis treatment, with Candice sitting with her to keep her company. Candice said she was moved by the overall somber atmosphere in the clinic and the varying ages of the patients there.
Nancy Banks was just finishing up a dialysis treatment when her phone started to ring. She didn’t recognize the number and was going to ignore it because the clinic had a strict no-calls policy. A staff member had a feeling about the 800-number, however, and advised her to answer. When she did, she received some
Kidney recipient says she is living proof of the good organ donation can do Read More »
Sarah Ann Scantamburlo has learned to live life to the fullest and make the most of whatever circumstances fate throws her way. “I feel like so many people wait for tomorrow, what they deem as the perfect opportunity,” said Scantamburlo, a Novi resident. “But how do you know? Once it’s gone, it’s gone. There is
‘Life is great, but living is greater’ Read More »
Shane Sena was dedicated to his family and friends and enjoyed working on cars. “He was a big brother and a little brother. He was loved by his siblings. He doted on them,” said his mother, Marie. “He was very protective of them.” His love now lives on in the legacy he left for others;
Benzie County man saves lives through donation Read More »
Phil Laske remembers his brother, Joe, as a nice guy and jack of all trades. “He was very mechanically inclined,” said Phil, who works in the mailroom at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. “He fixed everything, and he helped everyone.” Joe’s legacy of helping others continued after he died from a heart condition five years
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Heart recipient offers hope to young patients Katy Rozman has a message for young transplant recipients or young people waiting for a new life-saving organ: you are not alone. “Sometimes all we need is someone to relate to and I don’t always think that’s available – especially for transplant kids,” she said. She should know.
Pediatric Transplant Week focuses on need for organ, tissue donors Read More »
Photo contest seeks creative expressions of support Ann Arbor, MI – Showing support for organ and tissue donation can be as easy as selecting which colors to wear or deciding how to dress up your pet. April 16 is National Donate Life Blue & Green Day, when anyone can wear blue and green, decorate their
Blue & Green Day highlights need for registered organ, tissue donors Read More »
Rebecca Anderson has been able to watch her daughter get married, graduate from Michigan State University and earn a master’s degree. She has traveled to the Mediterranean and celebrated her 30th anniversary with her husband, Rex. It’s an impressive list, considering she was never expected to see her first birthday. Anderson was born with idiopathic
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Grant funds will enhance education on organ and tissue donation Gift of Life Michigan will use $75,000 in donations from a student-led nonprofit organization to help bring awareness of organ and tissue donation to young people across the state. The funds were generated in 2020 through a year-long partnership between the Gift of Life Foundation
High school nonprofit group helps Gift of Life Michigan raise awareness and save lives Read More »
Heather Luchies had long known she would need a kidney transplant. Fortunately, when the time came, a donor was closer than she had anticipated. In fact, she had married him nearly two decades earlier. Now 46, Heather Luchies was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a condition that causes scar tissue to build up on
Husband saves wife with donated kidney Read More »
Gift of Life honors donors, recipients and volunteers who help save lives Rebecca Anderson has been able to watch her daughter get married, graduate from Michigan State University and earn a master’s degree. She’s traveled to the Mediterranean and celebrated her 30th anniversary with her husband, Rex – and it’s all due to someone she
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