Featured | August 16, 2024
Volunteer Spotlight: With her vision restored, Leslie Palacios helps others see the need to be donors
Before Leslie Palacios received two new corneas, her life was a blur. The Grand Rapids mom of two struggled to read, to cook, to see her son play football and her triathlete husband cross the…
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| August 18, 2020
Gift of Life Michigan expands services in the U.P
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…
| August 17, 2020
Beats x Beers founder, Gift of Life Michigan team up on Virtual Trivia Night
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…
| August 10, 2020
Life on the waiting list: ‘You have to be very, very careful’
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…
| August 10, 2020
‘This is God’s work’
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…
Blog | August 7, 2020
Gift of Life Michigan celebrates National Minority Donor Awareness Month
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we need One Voice, One Vision to Save and Heal Lives. The global COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the health disparities that multicultural communities face in the U.S….
| July 31, 2020
National Minority Donor Awareness month highlights need, provides information on organ, tissue donation
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…
| July 23, 2020
23rd Annual LIFE Walk/Run goes virtual
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…
Blog | July 17, 2020
Gift of Life Michigan takes #MaskUpMichigan pledge
In early July, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expanded and toughened Michigan’s mask-wearing requirements in an ongoing attempt to quell the spread of the coronavirus. The executive order reiterates that individuals must wear face masks whenever they…
| July 14, 2020
Gift of Life Michigan takes ‘Let’s Talk’ online
Multicultural outreach to feature video testimonies, virtual roundtables and events Armed with new information and committed to saving and improving lives, Gift of Life Michigan will take its Let’s Talk multicultural outreach into the virtual…
| June 26, 2020
Father, son celebrate 10-year anniversary of the ultimate gift
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…
| June 24, 2020
Roseville family turns tragedy into hope for others
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…
| June 19, 2020
A daughter’s love: Davison woman donates a portion of her liver to her father
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…
Blog | June 18, 2020
First post-COVID lung transplant performed as organ transplants return to pre-virus levels
Organ transplants are beginning to return to pre-COVID-19 levels across the country and a recent breakthrough in Chicago may provide even more hope for the thousands of patients on the national organ waiting list –…
| June 17, 2020
Father’s Day holds special significance for Sterling Heights dad
Mustafa Sharafi always wanted to be a father. Granted that wish more than two years ago, the 35-year-old Sterling Heights resident is just as grateful to celebrate this Father’s Day as he was last year,…
Blog | May 21, 2020
Morris Hood III, kidney recipient, ‘champion for others’ remembered
As a legislator, Morris Hood III always sought the middle ground. As a kidney recipient, he used his experience to promote organ donation and the need for minority organ donors, as well as for legislation…
| May 8, 2020
With niece’s gift, Canton mom has renewed energy, purpose
Canton, MI — Marcileen Pruitt of Canton will enjoy this Mother’s Day and plenty more to come, thanks to some help from her extended family. Pruitt, 48, is living with renewed vigor after receiving a…
Blog | April 28, 2020
Heart transplant recipient urges caution after COVID-19 diagnosis: ‘We have to be extra diligent’
Amy Bacon said she doesn’t know how she contracted the coronavirus. The Grand Blanc resident and heart recipient said she followed all the social distancing and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to…
| April 28, 2020
Heart transplant recipient recovering from coronavirus
Grand Blanc, MI – Organ transplant recipients are accustomed to taking extra precautions to protect their health. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, they need to even more cautious. “We’ve got to be extra,…
| April 24, 2020
Hastings couple remembers donor grandson: ‘Our little hero’
Hastings, MI – Pam and Doug Reed, of Hastings, MI, supported the idea of organ and tissue donation long before tragedy struck their family last year. An acquaintance of Doug’s was on the waiting list…
| April 20, 2020
‘Now, we are waiting again’: Pediatric Transplant Week highlights stories of younger patients and donors
Ann Arbor, MI – Just when Rilynn Payne was scheduled to receive a life-altering organ transplant, fate delivered another twist. Payne, a 3-year-old from southwest Michigan, had overcome numerous obstacles last year and was on…
| April 16, 2020
National Donate Life Blue & Green Day offers opportunity to show support for organ, eye and tissue donation
Ann Arbor, MI – The skies may be cloudy and the trees still bare, but there will be a lot of blue and green visible on Friday, April 17, anyway. That’s because April 17 is…
Blog | April 10, 2020
COVID-19 update: protecting patients, staff and the community
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters a new month, two things are clear: organ transplant recipients (along with everyone else) need to take precautions to protect themselves and Gift of Life Michigan is still working with…
| April 7, 2020
Muskegon woman taps ‘the Force’ to comfort grieving organ donor families
Muskegon, MI – In Andrea Powers’ home, Star Wars characters have joined groups of knitted owls, bees and elephants. Combined with a growing pile of blankets and quilts, they will be donated to Gift of…
Blog | April 3, 2020
National Donate Life Month: Our message in a time of crisis
What do you do when your biggest month of the year falls in the midst of a national emergency? This was the conversation taking place in organ procurement organizations, tissue banks, eye banks and other…
| April 1, 2020
National Donate Life Month moves online, highlights need for organ donors
National Donate Life Month will be celebrated differently this year, but the message is the same: There’s a critical need for more organ, tissue and eye donors in Michigan and throughout the United States. In…
Blog | March 26, 2020
Our work continues: A COVID-19 update
Dear friends of Gift of Life Michigan, I am reaching out to you as part of the Gift of Life Michigan family to update you on the steps we are taking during the current COVID-19…
Blog | March 19, 2020
Gift of Life Michigan urges transplant community to take health and safety precautions
In the wake of the rapidly spreading new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, experts urge transplant recipients to use extra caution to protect themselves and their loved ones. The virus, first detected last year, is particularly…
| March 19, 2020
A ‘gift of life’ sentence: Kidney recipient turns transplant journey into advocacy
Rekenna Stanford was a registered organ donor long before she needed a new kidney. “I never had any misgivings about it,” she said. “If someone could use them after I was gone, have at it….
Blog | March 13, 2020
Gift of Life Michigan takes steps to protect staff, community during coronavirus outbreak
Updated: 3/17/2020 In the wake of the rapid spread of the new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, Gift of Life Michigan has taken steps to help protect patients, our staff and the communities we serve. Like…
| March 12, 2020
‘True purpose:’ Canton kidney transplant recipient dedicates himself to organ donation education, advocacy
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…
Blog | March 10, 2020
National Kidney Month: minority donor numbers increasing, but more outreach needed
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…
| March 6, 2020
Gift of Life Michigan partners with 21 schools to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation in Campus Challenge
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…
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…