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Sharing stories of hope, inspiration, information and more!

Featured | March 25, 2025

Honoring life through art

Through art, community, and the spirit of giving, Palee Haney from Kalamazoo has found a way to honor her sister, Chadapron Haney—affectionately known as “Guy.” “Guy was a force,” Palee said. “She was incredibly generous,…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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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 –…

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| 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,…

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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…

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| 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…

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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…

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| 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,…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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| 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…

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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…

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| 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…

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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…

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| 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…

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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…

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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…

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| 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….

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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…

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| 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…

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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…

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| 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…

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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…

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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….

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| 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…

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| 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…

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Blog | 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…

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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…

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| 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…

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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…

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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…

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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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Mohamed El-Souri received a heart transplant as a teenager.
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…

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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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