Featured | April 17, 2024
Mallaki receives the gift of life and a new family
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…
Stay connected with Gift of Life Michigan
Sign Up for the Newsletter
- View All
- Blog
- Stories of Hope
Blog | February 28, 2020
Black History Month: Salute to Dr. Clive Callender
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…
Blog | February 26, 2020
In memoriam: Jeremiah Turcotte, M.D.
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….
| February 24, 2020
Donated heart gives Flint area youth new chance at life
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…
| February 6, 2020
Gift of Life Michigan seeks to share stories of hope and inspiration through My Donor Story campaign
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…
| February 4, 2020
Promise kept: Ann Arbor man advocates for organ donation two decades after receiving new liver from murder victim
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…
Blog | January 21, 2020
2019: a year of advancements and success
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…
| January 20, 2020
Record numbers of organ, tissue donors save lives in 2019
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…
Blog | December 30, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan honors donors during Tournament of Roses Parade
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…
Blog | December 23, 2019
Transplant community works together to improve efficiencies
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…
Blog | December 16, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan welcomes Secretary of State
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…
| December 3, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan honors organ donor in Rose Parade
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…
| December 3, 2019
Kalamazoo man honors organ, tissue donors in Rose Parade
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…
| November 29, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan: ‘Let’s Talk’ about need for organ and tissue donation
Jerome Espy was talking about the need for organ, tissue and eye donors at an event last year when heard a familiar phrase: “Oh no, I’m not doing that. I’m taking my organs with me.”…
| November 27, 2019
Future health professionals register more than 1,300 organ donors in three weeks
Gift of Life HOSA Challenge inspires students to join Michigan Organ Donor Registry There are more than 1,300 additional organ and tissue donors on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, thanks to the efforts of students…
Blog | November 26, 2019
Who we are and what we do: the organ donation process at Gift of Life Michigan
Gift of Life Michigan was founded nearly 50 years ago, but we still get common questions about who we are, what we do and how organ and tissue donation works. Those unfamiliar with the history…
| November 14, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan urges faith leaders to reach out on National Donor Sabbath
Most major religions support organ and tissue donation and faith leaders can help spread the word. Gift of Life Michigan encourages faith leaders to make full use of National Donor Sabbath, an annual event supported…
Blog | November 13, 2019
Gift of Life, faith leaders discuss organ and tissue donation
Gift of Life Michigan and the InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit hosted an Organ Donation Across the Faith Traditions discussion recently, where several local religious leaders provided their perspective on the topic. Panelists included:…
| November 5, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan partners with St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor to offer placenta donation
A new first for Gift of Life lets moms and babies give to help others heal Alyssa Voss and her son, Coleton, gave a unique gift to others on the day he was born. The…
| October 30, 2019
Organ, eye and tissue donations do not hinder death investigations, national groups say
Donate Life America, AOPO refute recent media reports There is a tremendous need for organs for transplant. More than 113,000 people are currently on the transplant waiting list in the United States and the donation…
Blog | October 22, 2019
Brain Death Explained
There have been several stories in the news recently about hospitalized patients being pronounced brain dead. Some of those stories (and the comments on them) were confusing – and even misleading – the public about…
Blog | October 9, 2019
Young transplant recipient and family vow to pay forward their gift
Editor’s Note: We are devastated to learn that Zahraa passed away on November 14, 2019. To her family and many friends: you are in our thoughts. We grieve with you. We have created this video…
Blog | July 30, 2019
Talking to your family about organ, tissue and eye donation
Talking about death can be uncomfortable. Most people don’t like to think about their own mortality. But death is part of life, and if we want to talk about organ and tissue donation, we need…
Blog | June 4, 2019
Can Muslims Donate Organs or Receive Transplants?
Muslims in the U.S. often wonder whether organ donation and transplant are permitted in Islam. Until recently, the answer to that question has been less clear. Currently, there are nearly 115,000 American residents desperately waiting…
| May 24, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan’s new campaign highlights critical need for multicultural donors
Goal is to bolster awareness about organ and tissue donation and save lives Twenty people die each day waiting for a life-saving transplant and more than half are ethnic minorities. While the need for organs…
| April 25, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan’s ‘A Matter of Faith’ video showcases widespread support for donation among major religions
Faith leaders share powerful message of saving and improving lives ANN ARBOR – Gift of Life Michigan has launched a new video that addresses a common question among many people: Does my religion support organ,…
| March 26, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan to honor 18 champions of organ and tissue donation across the state
Winners will be recognized at April 5 celebration Gift of Life Michigan has chosen 15 individuals and three hospitals to receive 2019 Donation Champion Awards, recognizing their extraordinary efforts to help fulfill the wishes of…
Blog | March 25, 2019
March is National Kidney Month
Of the more than 113,000 Americans waiting for an organ transplant, the vast majority – nearly 95,000 – are waiting for a kidney transplant. Why is that number so high? It’s because diseases such as…
Blog | March 22, 2019
The Hispanic community embraces organ, tissue and eye donation
Here’s what life was like for Leslie Palacios before she received the gift of a cornea donation from a deceased donor: She struggled to help her kids with their homework. She could attend their sporting…
Blog | March 13, 2019
Welcome to the blog!
Welcome! Gift of Life Michigan has a brand-new way to talk about organ, eye and tissue donation. This blog will provide a rich opportunity for us to regularly share stories of hope and critical information…
| March 6, 2019
Future health professionals save and heal lives through Gift of Life HOSA Challenge
Competition inspires creative ways to motivate students to donate life HOSA students from across Michigan have added 793 new donors to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry through the Gift of Life HOSA Challenge, a statewide…
| February 22, 2019
Wayne State University, Siena Heights University and Mott Community College tops in statewide competition
Michigan college students inspire 921 people to donate life! For five weeks, Michigan colleges and universities put their rivalries to good use, inspiring more than 900 Michigan residents to sign up on the Michigan Organ…
| January 31, 2019
My Donor Story
Gift of Life Michigan to celebrate National Donor Day with ‘My Donor Story’ social media campaign Organization is asking public to share life-saving stories and messages of gratitude Detroit – Feb. 1, 2018 – While…
| January 10, 2019
Gift of Life Michigan has record year saving and improving lives
2018 saw new highs for organ donors, organ transplants and tissue donors in Michigan Gift of Life Michigan helped a record 338 patients become organ donors last year, leading to life-saving organ transplants for well…
| October 4, 2018
Gift of Life Wins Donate Life America Top Honors
Communications Specialist Betsy Miner-Swartz and Gift of Life Michigan have won Donate Life America’s Pinnacle Award for Best Multicultural Outreach in the nation, for a video that told the story of Chad Milton, an African-American…
| August 16, 2018
Gift of Life Foundation Hires Chief of Philanthropy
Susan Rink has joined the Gift of Life Foundation as its first-ever chief of philanthropy. Susan’s role will be to partner with our stakeholders through fundraising to support the mission of Gift of Life Michigan….
Stories of Hope | January 29, 2018
Nathaniel Payne
Young tissue donor helps dozens live better lives; gives sight to two people Nathaniel Payne, 14, of West Branch, became a donor after he lost his life in a 2013 car accident. Nate was able…
| January 17, 2018
School rivals compete to save and heal lives through Gift of Life Michigan Campus Challenge
15th annual event inspires creative ways to motivate peers to donate life ANN ARBOR, MI, January 17, 2018 — Students at 13 Michigan colleges and universities are showing their school spirit by participating in a…
| January 9, 2018
Gift of Life Michigan achieves near-record number of organ donors in 2017
Donor registrations surge with help from Secretary of State ANN ARBOR – Gift of Life Michigan helped 320 patients become organ donors last year, saving the lives of hundreds of people in desperate need of…
| December 12, 2017
DMC, Beaumont and Sparrow Hospital top statewide competition to register new donors
Hospitals collectively add nearly 1,700 names to the Donor Registry ANN ARBOR, MI— Michigan hospitals competed this fall in a six-week Gift of Life Hospital Challenge to see which one could inspire the most people…
| October 27, 2017
Gift of Life wins national awards
Donate Life America gives organ donor program three major awards: Best donor registration program, best volunteer, best ‘coach’ to national peers ANN ARBOR, MI — Gift of Life Michigan has won Donate Life America’s Platinum…
| September 24, 2017
The giving continues: More than 60 percent of Michigan adults are now registered organ donors
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced Friday that the number of Michigan adults registered as organ, tissue and eye donors has topped 60 percent. Johnson recently joined Gift of Life Michigan’s CEO Dorrie Dils to…
| September 22, 2017
Gift of Life launches six-week Hospital Challenge to help grow the Michigan Organ Donor Registry
ANN ARBOR, MI— Hospitals across the state are accepting a challenge by Gift of Life Michigan to see who can add the most names to the Organ Donor Registry this fall. The competition kicks off…
| July 27, 2017
Why I walk: Raising organ donor awareness
Are you looking for charity walks near you? MOTTEP’s LIFE Walk/Run raises awareness of organ donation. Read inspirational stories about why people walk here. ANN ARBOR, MI—The 20th annual LIFE Walk/Run, hosted by Gift of…
| April 11, 2017
St. John Transplant, DMC and University of Michigan top statewide competition to register new organ, eye and tissue donors
ANN ARBOR, MI— A lot has happened to save lives at Michigan’s transplant centers over the past year, and not all of it took place inside their operating rooms. Seven healthcare systems representing the state’s…
| February 23, 2017
Wayne State and WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine top statewide competition
ANN ARBOR, MI— Thanks to friendly rivalries of students at 14 Michigan colleges and universities, more than 1,600 Michigan residents signed up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry in the past five weeks. The 14th…
| January 18, 2017
College rivals to save and heal lives competing in 14th annual Gift of Life Campus Challenge
ANN ARBOR, MI— Students at 14 Michigan colleges and universities are participating in a life-saving competition. However, they most likely will never know the people whose lives they are saving. The schools are participating in…
| January 13, 2017
Gift of Life Michigan sets tissue donor record, saves and improves thousands of lives in 2016
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Gift of Life Michigan helped make it possible for a record number of people to donate tissue in 2016, giving thousands of recipients the gifts of mobility, healing, pain relief and…
| January 10, 2017
Gift of Life conducts its first hand donation for transplantation
ANN ARBOR, MI— Gift of Life Michigan has helped a 21-year-old Norton Shores woman become the first in the state to donate her hands to another person. Shayna Sturtevant also donated organs that saved the…
| December 28, 2016
Dignity Memorial Providers of Detroit to honor local paramedic at prestigious 128th Rose Parade
DETROIT, MI – Dignity Memorial Providers of Detroit will honor local paramedic Gary Terreault of Flat Rock at the 128th Rose Parade Jan. 2 in Pasadena, California. Family members and volunteers will pay a special…
| December 28, 2016
Michigan donor mom will ride on Donate Life Rose Parade float; Gift of Life, Promethera helped family donate newborn’s cells for research
ANN ARBOR, MI— Promethera Biosciences LLC is joining Gift of Life Michigan to become an important part of the 2017 Donate Life Rose Parade float, Teammates in Life, on January 2, 2017, in Pasadena, California….