In many ways, Deacon Lawrence J. Bailey considers his donated kidney a blessing. Bailey, 65, a Canton resident, received a donated kidney in 2013 and has since dedicated himself to spreading that blessing by educating the African American community about the need for organ donors and dispelling the most common misconceptions about donation. “I didn’t […]
Although National Kidney Month is traditionally set aside to raise awareness of kidney disease and ways to lower risk factors, it also serves as an important reminder of the need for organ donors in the State of Michigan, particularly among the minority population. Kidney disease is more likely to affect African American, Latino and other
National Kidney Month: minority donor numbers increasing, but more outreach needed Read More »
When it comes to signing up Michigan residents to the Organ Donor Registry, more and more colleges are taking up the challenge. Twenty-one college and university campuses across the state took part in the annual Gift of Life Michigan Campus Challenge this year, the most in the 17-year history of the event. “We are always
Dr. Clive Callender has made educating and empowering people his life’s work. Callender, a renowned surgeon and Professor of Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine, has dedicated his career to increasing awareness of and support for transplant medicine in minority communities. When he started, African Americans represented the lowest percentage of organ donors among
Black History Month: Salute to Dr. Clive Callender Read More »
The medical and transplant community is mourning the recent loss of Jeremiah Turcotte, M.D. Dr. Turcotte was a trailblazer in the field of organ donation and transplantation, recognized across the country as a visionary leader. He passed on Feb. 12, 2020, at the age of 87. Dr. Turcotte was one of five transplant surgeons directly
In memoriam: Jeremiah Turcotte, M.D. Read More »
There’s no denying that Devin Addington is a fighter. The 15-year-old has been fighting since the day he was born, battling a number of health issues that landed him in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for the first nine weeks of his life. Then a heart transplant gave him and his family new hope.
Donated heart gives Flint area youth new chance at life Read More »
Gift of Life Michigan has a message to those who have been touched by organ, tissue or eye donation in the past: We want to hear your story. Gift of Life is encouraging anyone impacted by these life-saving or life-improving gifts to share their story through ‘My Donor Story,’ an interactive social media campaign that
Twenty years ago, Dr. Michael Hagan was living on borrowed time. Hagan, 70, an Ann Arbor resident, knew he was ill, he just didn’t know how ill. He knew his liver was failing and his only hope for survival was a liver transplant. He had been living with that diagnosis — as well as the
Advances in technology and continued expansion of the Organ Donor Registry helped Gift of Life Michigan – and organ procurement organizations across the country – save more lives than ever in 2019. In Michigan, 341 patients donated organs and 1,598 donated tissue last year. Both are increases from 2018 and signify the sixth consecutive year
2019: a year of advancements and success Read More »
Generosity of Gift of Life Michigan donors benefitted thousands For the second straight year, Gift of Life Michigan helped facilitate a record number of organ donors and tissue donors, whose gifts will save and improve the lives of tens of thousands of people in the state and beyond. In all, 341 people donated organs and
Record numbers of organ, tissue donors save lives in 2019 Read More »
The Donate Life float will once again have a special meaning for many people who take part in or watch the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day. The float, entitled “Light in the Darkness,” is designed to give hope to the thousands of people across the country awaiting a life-saving organ
Gift of Life Michigan honors donors during Tournament of Roses Parade Read More »
The transplant community is continually working to solve a complex equation that involves time, distance and patient-donor compatibility to improve care and save lives. A lot of that work on increasing efficiencies takes place behind the scenes. Walter Herczyk, Laboratory Administrative Director at Gift of Life Michigan, who also serves as chair of the United
Transplant community works together to improve efficiencies Read More »
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson stopped by Gift of Life Michigan recently to reaffirm the partnership between the two organizations and set some lofty goals for the future. Attending Gift of Life’s year-end staff meeting, Benson said she was pleased with efforts to sign up new donors to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, and
Gift of Life Michigan welcomes Secretary of State Read More »
Floral portrait will honor 22-year-old nursing student Everyone who knew Marissa Tudor would describe her as a healthy, fun-loving woman committed to her family and friends, someone who cared about others and wanted to dedicate her life to helping people. Many others who never had the chance to meet her might also add: a life-saver.
Gift of Life Michigan honors organ donor in Rose Parade Read More »
82-year-old heart recipient: Walking with Donate Life parade float is ‘on my bucket list’ A five-mile trek first thing in the morning might sound daunting to many people, but not to David Rozelle. The 82-year-old Kalamazoo resident plans to do just that — and more — on Jan. 1, 2020, when he walks alongside the
Kalamazoo man honors organ, tissue donors in Rose Parade Read More »
