Kidney transplant allows teen to graduate high school

Last year, Acacia Walter-Rooks accomplished something she wasn’t sure she’d be able to do: graduate high school. Now a freshman at Calvin University, Walter-Rooks had both of her kidneys removed when she was a child and navigated school and dialysis treatments until a kidney transplant saved her life in 2016. “It was very challenging. I

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Kidney recipient finds purpose in post-transplant advocacy

‘There’s a reason for it, and I think my reason is to help others.’ When a severe headache sent Sonya Cook to the doctor, she hardly expected a life-changing diagnosis. “I never had headaches before, really,” said the Brownstown resident, now 52. “I had no health problems whatsoever.” She was in her early 30s at

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Gift of Life Michigan launches #50for50 campaign to honor anniversary

Gift of Life Michigan is celebrating a milestone this year: the 50th anniversary of our founding. Founded in 1971 by four surgeons who wanted to develop a more efficient way to get life-saving organs to the patients who so desperately needed them, Gift of Life Michigan has evolved through the years, adding services, its own

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Year-long partnership brings in $75K to Gift of Life Foundation

A group of metro Detroit students have made quite a difference for the Gift of Life Foundation in 2020. Key2Finesse, a student-led nonprofit organization, generated $75,000 for the Gift of Life Foundation through a year-long partnership that culminated in a Speak the Difference fundraiser earlier this month. “We are truly grateful for the opportunity to

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Student group raises $75K for Gift of Life Foundation

‘Speak the Difference’ fundraiser caps year-long partnership with Key2Finesse Ann Arbor, MI – Key2Finesse, a student-led nonprofit organization, has generated $75,000 for the Gift o f Life Foundation through a year-long partnership. The Gift of Life Foundation supports Gift of Life Michigan and its mission of honoring life through organ and tissue donation. The funds

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Legacy of hope: Gift of Life Michigan honors surgeon for sharing organ, tissue donation education with young doctors

Organ and tissue donors can leave a legacy of hope and healing and Dr. Harry Anderson wants to share that legacy throughout the community and across the county. Dr. Anderson, the medical director of the Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital, said the best way to ensure that legacy is to

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Hurley Medical Center honored as Donor Hospital of the Year

Organ and tissue donation and transplantation is truly a team effort that requires collaboration between medical staff and transplant centers, along with the compassion and generosity of donors and donor families. The Hurley Medical Center in Flint was honored by Gift of Life Michigan as the Donor Hospital of the Year for going above and

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Gift of Life Michigan honors Henry Ford nurse with Champion Award

Ann Arbor, MI – Elise Pavlick believes education and communication are the keys to providing hope and healing for patients and their families. A nurse practitioner in the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit at Henry Ford Hospital, Pavlick follows that same philosophy with patients who may become organ and tissue donors, as well as the families

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Future health professionals add hundreds to Michigan Organ Donor Registry

Annual HOSA challenge pits students in friendly competition to register new donors Ann Arbor, MI – There are nearly 400 new organ and tissue donors registered in Michigan, thanks to the efforts of students across the state. The students, from the Health Occupation Students of America – known as HOSA-Future Health Professionals – have just

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Thanksgiving marks special anniversary for local family

Two years later, family celebrates heart transplant that saved Grand Ledge mom The Thanksgiving holiday will always hold a special place for Rachel Kuntzsch and her family. It was two years ago that a heart transplant saved Rachel’s life. “I’m just really grateful,” said the 46-year-old Grand Ledge resident. Always active and healthy, Kuntzsch’s life

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Muskegon County ME honored for going above and beyond

Team effort, collaboration earn Dr. Joyce deJong 2020 Donation Champion Award Dr. Joyce deJong, the medical examiner for Muskegon, Ingham, Allegan and Kalamazoo counties, was honored by Gift of Life Michigan for her support of organ, tissue and eye donation. Through her work as medical examiner as well as educational role at the Homer Stryker

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