Decision to donate kidney a ‘no-brainer’ for Auburn Hills resident As father, son and even fraternity brothers, Bobby and Branden Robinson always shared a strong bond. Ten years ago, that bond became even stronger when Branden donated one of his kidneys to help his father. “It was no-brainer. This was the man who not only […]
Father, son celebrate 10-year anniversary of the ultimate gift Read More »
A Roseville family is hoping to turn their tragedy into hope for others. Christopher Stoi said he was not ready to let go of his son, Austin, who died of suicide recently. Through Gift of Life Michigan, Austin was able to donate several organs, as well as tissues that ultimately saved seven lives. He was
Roseville family turns tragedy into hope for others Read More »
Davison, MI – It’s not uncommon for a daughter to share a special bond with her father, but for Maddie and Tom Goyette, that bond is more than a typical family tie. Maddie, who will turn 25 next month, donated a portion of her liver to her father when she was only 18. “It was
A daughter’s love: Davison woman donates a portion of her liver to her father Read More »
Organ transplants are beginning to return to pre-COVID-19 levels across the country and a recent breakthrough in Chicago may provide even more hope for the thousands of patients on the national organ waiting list – as well as patients diagnosed with the virus. Surgeons in Chicago performed a double-lung transplant on a patient with COVID-19;
Mustafa Sharafi always wanted to be a father. Granted that wish more than two years ago, the 35-year-old Sterling Heights resident is just as grateful to celebrate this Father’s Day as he was last year, because doctors had told him he would not live long enough to realize his dream. “To have a child is
Father’s Day holds special significance for Sterling Heights dad Read More »
As a legislator, Morris Hood III always sought the middle ground. As a kidney recipient, he used his experience to promote organ donation and the need for minority organ donors, as well as for legislation that improved access to affordable healthcare. Hood, a former state representative and senator, passed away last week at the age
Morris Hood III, kidney recipient, ‘champion for others’ remembered Read More »
Canton, MI — Marcileen Pruitt of Canton will enjoy this Mother’s Day and plenty more to come, thanks to some help from her extended family. Pruitt, 48, is living with renewed vigor after receiving a kidney from her niece last October. She said she feels better than she had in years. “My energy level started
With niece’s gift, Canton mom has renewed energy, purpose Read More »
Amy Bacon said she doesn’t know how she contracted the coronavirus. The Grand Blanc resident and heart recipient said she followed all the social distancing and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to the letter, but was still diagnosed with COVID-19 in early April. As a transplant recipient, she knows she has a
Grand Blanc, MI – Organ transplant recipients are accustomed to taking extra precautions to protect their health. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, they need to even more cautious. “We’ve got to be extra, extra diligent in taking care of ourselves,” said Amy Bacon, a Grand Blanc resident and heart recipient. “We can’t just
Heart transplant recipient recovering from coronavirus Read More »
Hastings, MI – Pam and Doug Reed, of Hastings, MI, supported the idea of organ and tissue donation long before tragedy struck their family last year. An acquaintance of Doug’s was on the waiting list 25 years ago but passed away before a new heart was available. “We feel very strong about organ donation,” Pam
Hastings couple remembers donor grandson: ‘Our little hero’ Read More »
Ann Arbor, MI – Just when Rilynn Payne was scheduled to receive a life-altering organ transplant, fate delivered another twist. Payne, a 3-year-old from southwest Michigan, had overcome numerous obstacles last year and was on schedule to receive a kidney transplant this year, when the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the procedure. “It’s always something,” said her
Ann Arbor, MI – The skies may be cloudy and the trees still bare, but there will be a lot of blue and green visible on Friday, April 17, anyway. That’s because April 17 is National Donate Life Blue & Green Day, a day when anyone can wear blue and green or decorate their homes
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters a new month, two things are clear: organ transplant recipients (along with everyone else) need to take precautions to protect themselves and Gift of Life Michigan is still working with hospital transplant centers to provide life-saving organs to patients in need. “We’re doing everything we can to engage people and
COVID-19 update: protecting patients, staff and the community Read More »
Muskegon, MI – In Andrea Powers’ home, Star Wars characters have joined groups of knitted owls, bees and elephants. Combined with a growing pile of blankets and quilts, they will be donated to Gift of Life Michigan and given to families of organ donors in honor of her sister-in-law. “It gives me some comfort and
Muskegon woman taps ‘the Force’ to comfort grieving organ donor families Read More »
What do you do when your biggest month of the year falls in the midst of a national emergency? This was the conversation taking place in organ procurement organizations, tissue banks, eye banks and other Donate Life affiliates across the country throughout the month of March – and, in many cases, even earlier. April is
National Donate Life Month: Our message in a time of crisis Read More »
