‘I want to let everyone who struggles from all chronic diseases or illnesses know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel’ Mustafa Sharafi always wanted to be a father. Granted that wish more than two years ago, the 35-year-old Sterling Heights resident was just as grateful to celebrate this Father’s Day […]

Liver recipient, donor family celebrate 10 years of new life, advocacy Mike Lopez has always relied on his faith to get through difficult times. His faith helped him 11 years ago, when a routine visit to the doctor turned up some surprising news: He needed a liver transplant. “It was quite a shock when I

‘I’m just so grateful for my life, and what I’ve been able to do’ St. Johns, MI – It’s Friday afternoon outside the Clinton County Senior Center near downtown St. Johns, and Karen Livermore is waiting for her ”crew.” The 77-year-old St. Johns resident has taken on a new project recently – dressing up the

New facility allows for increased bone, tissue donors in northern Michigan Marquette, MI – A new facility in Marquette will help Gift of Life Michigan bring hope and healing to more Michigan residents. The facility in Marquette will allow Gift of Life to better coordinate tissue donation cases with health care systems in Michigan’s Upper

Beats x Beers founder, Gift of Life team up on Virtual Trivia Night Are you up on your pop culture knowledge, sports facts and local history? An upcoming virtual trivia night challenge may be just for you. Gift of Life Michigan and Brandon Corder, founder of Beats x Beers, are teaming up to provide a

Patients waiting for new organs take extra precautions to stay healthy De’Shante Ervin is taking additional precautions these days. The 40-year-old Southfield resident is currently in need of a kidney and knows that even a common cold or flu-like symptoms could postpone a life-saving transplant. “When that call comes, you have to be ready,” he

Grand Rapids man meets late wife’s donated heart recipient Chad Milton knew the spirit of his late wife lived on. Earlier this year, he heard proof. Milton, 45, a truck driver from Grand Rapids, met Philip Acosta, who received Mary Milton’s donated heart four years ago. The two men met at Henry Ford Hospital in

Ann Arbor, MI – More than half the men, women and children waiting for a life-saving organ transplant are people of color, yet people in multi-cultural communities sometimes are more reluctant to sign up as organ donors. Gift of Life Michigan, along with Detroit Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP), Donate Life America and

Week-long event promotes organ, tissue donation, and healthy lifestyles Detroit, MI – The annual LIFE Walk/Run will return this year, with a twist. Given current social distancing concerns, participants will be able to lace up their shoes and join with hundreds of others virtually. Even in the midst of a pandemic, the community will rally

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

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

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