Sherry Johnson shares her experiences as a heart transplant patient who waits again Sherry Johnson was so exhausted she couldn’t walk her two little boys to the bus stop. Brushing her teeth wiped her out. Cardiomyopathy, diagnosed four years earlier, was taking its toll and only a heart transplant would save her life. It […]
You gave me your heart so I could live my dreams Read More »
Gift of Life staffer’s kidney transplant gives her personal perspective If Taneisha Carswell doesn’t convince someone to be an organ donor right away, no worries. She’ll keep trying. One skeptical man visited her information table at a community event several years in a row. Taneisha, a community outreach coordinator for Gift of Life MOTTEP, talked
Not much will stop this volunteer from telling his story Chris Kowalski won’t let much get in the way of telling people about organ donation. Not even Detroit Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera. Chris talked to high school students about his heart transplant this summer from the upper deck at Comerica Park, live via video call.
Name: Kay Walters Age: 72 Home: Holt Transplant: Heart Why did you need a transplant and when did it happen? I had my heart transplant in April 1997, after years of serious health complications caused by a heart attack and cardiac arrest in 1989. This was 26 years ago. How are you doing? Since my
Transplant Throwback: Kay Walters Read More »
State income tax forms take on new aspect of statewide ‘Check Your Heart’ campaign Check Your Heart is Gift of Life Michigan’s largest public marketing campaign to grow the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. The effort primarily consists of digital messaging through social media, outdoor advertising, traditional marketing and other outlets, but it expanded this year
Do taxes. Save lives. Read More »
Understanding religious perspectives on organ and tissue donation One of the misconceptions or barriers that repeatedly arise in conversations about organ and tissue donation is whether it’s permitted based on the beliefs of one’s faith. To address this, Gift of Life Michigan created “A Matter of Faith,” a video that discusses the important role of
It’s a matter of faith and facts Read More »
Organs and transplant teams are probably on board Ever wonder what that passing SUV covered in organ and tissue transplant branding is all about? You probably ask yourself, who or what is inside? Where is it headed? And what could be the possible outcome? The answers: There’s very likely a donated organ on board along
Organ Transport Vehicle Read More »
John Edmond barely gave it a thought as a woman from Gift of Life Michigan entered his young daughter’s room in the pediatric Intensive Care Unit. He knew his 7-year-old would not survive her accidental gunshot wound. And he knew exactly what Amaia — a helper at heart — would want to do next. “In
A brotherhood is born out of death, life and gratitude Read More »
Unprecedented 500 donors save lives so far in 2023 Michigan’s organ and tissue donation program has broken another record by reaching the 500 organ donors mark in a single year with more than a month remaining. The number of organ donors has been rising year over year, giving more hope to the 2,400-plus patients
Gift of Life Michigan breaks record for organ donors in a year Read More »
Gift of Life Michigan celebrates the passage of a law that prevents health insurers from denying or limiting coverage for living organ donors in this state. Sen. Kevin Hertel sponsored the measure (SB 384), which passed both the Michigan House and Senate and was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Nov. 7. A person can
Gift of Life Michigan CEO praises protections for living organ donors Read More »
A new bill introduced in October in the Michigan House would require education about organ, eye and tissue donation for 9th graders in public schools statewide. Twenty-four states, including neighboring Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, require it. Michigan does not. As a result, double the percentage of young people register as organ donors in those states
A New Bill: Requires Schools to Teach Organ Donation in MI Read More »
“I can look in the mirror every day and not be reminded of the hell I went through.” Curpri Sanders experienced the happiest time in her life and the saddest in the same month. As she waited excitedly to say hello to her first baby, she had to say goodbye to her mom, who was
Tissue Donation for Breast Cancer Survior Read More »
Name: Guadalupe Alejos Age: 77 Home: Grand Rapids Transplant: Kidney at Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center Why did you need a transplant and when did it happen? Back during the Vietnam War, I received a letter to report for duty. But the doctor there said I was disqualified, that I was sick. I thought, ‘Sick from
Transplant Throwback: Guadalupe Alejos Read More »
Life was “exceedingly rich” for Rachel Kuntzsch when it nearly slipped into darkness forever. She was happy, 44 and her Lansing consulting firm was thriving. Rachel was a strong, vibrant mom, friend, daughter and wife. Time spent with her college-sweetheart husband, David, and their two boys involved travel, sports, kayaks and long hikes on beautiful
Lansing heart recipient saves lives by telling her story of hope Read More »
Michigan residents who haven’t yet added their names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry will have a new and easy way to do so in 2024. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the Check Your Heart Act into law in July, making Michigan the first state in the country to enable residents to add their names to
New law lets residents sign up through tax forms Read More »
