‘We’re so, so grateful she made this choice,’ family says Montcalm, MI – Destini Cunliffe excelled at many things, but she is perhaps best known for her ability to make friends. The 18-year-old Montcalm woman’s life was tragically cut short recently; she became an organ donor on Jan. 14, 2021. “She would meet someone and, […]
Teen saves five lives through donation Read More »
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
Kidney transplant allows teen to graduate high school Read More »
‘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
Kidney recipient finds purpose in post-transplant advocacy Read More »
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
Gift of Life Michigan launches #50for50 campaign to honor anniversary Read More »
2020 was third consecutive year with record number of organ donors For the third consecutive year, Gift of Life Michigan has honored the generosity of a record number of organ donors, saving thousands of lives and healing thousands more despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Gift of Life saw an increase in organ donors in 2020,
Gift of Life Michigan celebrates 50 years of saving lives Read More »
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
Year-long partnership brings in $75K to Gift of Life Foundation Read More »
‘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
Student group raises $75K for Gift of Life Foundation Read More »
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
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
Hurley Medical Center honored as Donor Hospital of the Year Read More »
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
Gift of Life Michigan honors Henry Ford nurse with Champion Award Read More »
Like everything else this year, the Gift of Life HOSA Challenge was a little different than it has been in the past. The third annual challenge, which pits future health professionals – from different Health Occupation Students of America chapters across the state – against one another in a friendly competition to register new organ
Thank you to all our HOSA heroes! Read More »
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
Future health professionals add hundreds to Michigan Organ Donor Registry Read More »
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
Thanksgiving marks special anniversary for local family Read More »
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
Muskegon County ME honored for going above and beyond Read More »
Few physicians have done more over the years to help fulfill the wishes of donors and their grieving families than Dr. Teresa Jacobs at Michigan Medicine. Dr. Jacobs, the director of the Neurological Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Michigan Medicine and a renowned neurological surgeon, was honored with the 2020 Donation Champion Legacy Award for
Dr. Teresa Jacobs honored by Gift of Life Michigan Read More »
