197 people gave tissue in May to heal patients in need May was a record-breaking month for the state’s organ and tissue donation program, thanks to nearly 200 people who donated bone, skin, ligaments and other tissue to help patients heal. “The impact these donors have made cannot be overstated,” said Dorrie Dils, president and […]
Gift of Life Michigan has record-breaking month Read More »
The decision to donate a kidney as a living donor should not be taken lightly, as it may come with potential long-term consequences like any other minimally invasive surgery. Studies have shown that living kidney donors have similar survival rates to non-donors and do not have an increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The
Common Myths About Organ Donation Read More »
There are many myths associated with the medical profession. One of the most common misconceptions is that doctors won’t act fast to save someone’s life if they have registered to be an organ donor. In fact, while organ donation is a noble act that can change more than one life, medical professionals don’t consider organ
Will Doctors Still Save my Life if I’m a Registered Organ Donor? Read More »
More than 12,000 new registrants added during 2024 tax season Thanks to the Check Your Heart Act, the Michigan Organ Donor Registry has 12,475 new registrants. This increased volume resulted in year-over-year growth for the Donor Registry for the first time since 2021, with 73,357 new registrations taking place between Jan. to April in 2024.
Michigan Organ Donor Registry sees major growth thanks to Check Your Heart Act Read More »
In December 2023, Patricia Laughlin was diagnosed with PCP pneumonia. Patricia had previously been diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis in 2017, a neuromuscular disorder that takes over your bones and immune system. She was immunocompromised and the pneumonia was making it even harder to breathe. After being intubated for three weeks, her family, including her daughter
Robbie Oxley loved superheroes. On Sept. 19, 2020, the 6-year-old became one. Robbie was left brain dead after a tragic accident near his home two days earlier. Many of his friends, family, first responders and strangers were on the scene immediately, but unfortunately, nothing could be done. “On Sept. 21, 2020, we did the Honor
Robbie Oxley’s Story: Superheroes Don’t Always Wear Capes Read More »
Name: David Rozelle Age: 86 Home: Kalamazoo, Michigan Transplant: Heart Why did you need a transplant and when did it happen? I had a serious heart attack in 1984 and made it to a hospital where I flat-lined but was saved. Seventeen years later I was deteriorating rapidly and almost died again. I was transplanted
Transplant Throwback: David Rozelle Read More »
Your decision to someday help others through donation cannot be overruled by anyone else A majority (57%) of adults in Michigan are registered organ and tissue donors. Those 4.5 million people made conscious decisions to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry so they can save and heal the lives of others after they die. One
First-person authorization: What it is and how it works Read More »
Congratulations to the more than 20 people and organizations recognized this year for their extraordinary efforts to promote organ, eye and tissue donation in Michigan. Without them, and others like them, Gift of Life’s efforts to fulfill the decisions of donors and their families and to save and heal lives through transplantation would be difficult
Champions Gala recognizes leaders Read More »
Shelly Robinet and her best friend Pat Folkertsma-Garrett called each other Kidney Sisters after Shelly donated a kidney to Pat in 2001. Their car license plates read KIDSTER1 and KIDSTER2: “Pat would say we’re closer than sisters because we shared a body part,” Shelly said. Pat struggled with kidney disease her whole life and received
Grateful “Kidney Sister” leaves $15,000 donation to Gift of Life Read More »
Michigan’s donation success continues to mirror national trend Gift of Life Michigan had another record year in 2023. The state’s organ and tissue donation program helped a record 578 people become organ donors and 1,858 give the gift of tissue last year, saving hundreds of lives and healing tens of thousands more. The 2023 figures
Gift of Life sets organ and tissue records in 2023 Read More »
Hospital donation advocate builds culture of donation at northern Michigan hospitals When Leslie Casperson talks about her job, it sounds like poetry. “I get emotional about my work because I love helping people,” she said. “I’m honored to work for Gift of Life Michigan and I can’t imagine doing it any other place than with
Staff Spotlight: Leslie Casperson is saving lives Up North Read More »
The days were long for high-schooler Evan Cotton as he waited in the hospital a year ago for his life to be saved with the gift of a new heart. Then as he healed, Evan waited some more. “Sometimes I couldn’t leave my floor or even my room,” said the sophomore at Farwell High School,
Volunteer Spotlight: Sixteen-year-old Evan Cotton and his new heart provide comfort Read More »
Ben and Karen Hayes knew no one could care for the foster boy like they could A 7-year-old boy in the foster care system was recovering from a life-saving liver transplant when two strangers walked into his room at University of Michigan Health, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. “Are you my new family?”
Mallaki receives the gift of life and a new family Read More »
Tattoos are a lasting and creative way to express love and creativity for the people and ideas that matter in life. We’ve seen a lot of meaningful ink from members of the donation and transplant community over the years. So, we asked followers on our social media channels to show us their tats and tell
Tattoos for life, hope & remembrance in Organ Donation Read More »
