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Richard "Jake" Jacobson and his dog at a sunflower farm
Featured | November 11, 2024

Veteran shares struggle in hopes to inspire “at least one”

Richard “Jake” Jacobson’s motto is “at least one.”  “My hope is that by sharing my story, I might help at least one person who is struggling,” said Jake. “Not just someone on the waiting list…

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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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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.”…

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Young adults at info table
| 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…

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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…

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| 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…

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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:…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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what is brain death
Blog | October 22, 2019

What is Brain Death?

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…

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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…

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Blog | July 30, 2019

Why is it Important to Talk to your Family about Organ 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…

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Arab American Muslim young man in sport jacket smiling at camera
Blog | June 4, 2019

Can Muslims Donate Organs?

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…

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| 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…

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| 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,…

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| 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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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….

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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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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….

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| August 28, 2016

Dorrie Dils named CEO at Gift of Life Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MI—Dorrie Dils, an Ohio native and 25-year veteran in the donation world, takes over today as chief executive officer of Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s federally designated organ and tissue donor program….

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Stories of Hope | August 10, 2016

Dayja Foster

Kidney recipient Dayja Foster was diagnosed with kidney failure when she was just 16. Dialysis kept her going, but robbed Dayja of her time as a teenager. Last year, a generous donor saved her life…

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| June 8, 2016

Gift of Life begins recovering organs and tissue at new Ann Arbor surgical center

ANN ARBOR, MI – A new era of organ and tissue donation has begun in the state with the first organ and tissue recoveries at Gift of Life Michigan’s state-of-the-art surgical center. The $14.3-million expansion…

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| April 27, 2016

Gift of Life and Eversight Michigan honor funeral service educator for organ, eye and tissue donation advocacy work

DETROIT – Sharon L. Gee-Mascarello of St. Clair Shores is the first recipient of the Gift of Life Michigan Eversight Michigan Donation Champion Award for professionals in the funeral service industry. The award was presented…

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| April 14, 2016

Gift of Life unveils new surgical suites and learning center

ANN ARBOR, MI—Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s organ and tissue recovery program, has officially opened a $14.3-million expansion that includes its own surgical center to help save and improve more lives. The expansion allows…

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| April 1, 2016

Gift of Life launches yearlong Transplant Center Challenge to bolster the state’s donor registry

ANN ARBOR, MI— The state’s nine transplant centers have accepted a brand-new challenge by Gift of Life Michigan to compete for an honor that will net them more than a fancy trophy – it will…

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| February 26, 2016

Rick Hillbom takes over as CEO at Gift of Life

Replaces Richard Pietroski, who leaves as CEO emeritus after distinguished career ANN ARBOR, MI—Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s federally designated organ and tissue recovery program, has named Rick Hillbom as interim CEO following the…

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| February 25, 2016

Wayne State University and WMU Stryker M.D. School of Medicine win statewide competition

ANN ARBOR — College rivalries aren’t limited to athletics. For the past five weeks, 12 Michigan colleges and universities used their school pride to save lives by signing people up to the Michigan Organ Donor…

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| February 23, 2016

Bronson Methodist Hospital issues statement correcting details about 14-year-old Kalamazoo shooting victim

Gift of Life Michigan extends its deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the senseless shootings in Kalamazoo and hopes for the full recovery of those injured in the violence. Here is…

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