LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – April is National Donate Life Month, and Gift of Life Michigan is celebrating 2,600 new organ donors on Michigan’s registry. Every day, Michiganders deal with life-threatening health problems that can only be treated through organ transplants. It’s an issue that can have even greater impacts in rural communities like the Upper Peninsula, where healthcare access is already limited.
Last year, 53 Michigan residents donated organs, saving the lives of 1,119 people. Gift of Life Michigan is pushing to boost those numbers and make sure people like Rachel Kuntzsch can live long and happy lives. Kuntzsch was suffering from heart failure in 2018 and received a transplant just in time to save her life.
“Thanks to the generous gift of a donor. I’m here to tell the story.” Kuntzsch said. “I’ve had the opportunity to climb mountains across our beautiful country, and next week I will see my son graduate from college. I have had the opportunity to live a full life with no limitations, and I am so very grateful.”
Michigan passed a law that added an option to become an organ donor to Michigan tax forms. In the past year, the changes have boosted numbers by 70%. 2,600 people have been added to the registry, which now includes 4.6 million Michiganders.
The rate of death for individuals waiting for a transplant is down to 45%, but advocates are pushing to get it even lower.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said her office is working with the legislature on two bills. One is an education bill to make sure younger residents have the information they need to sign up when getting their driver’s licenses. The other would pull funding to put educational materials in Michigan doctors’ offices and make sure all Michiganders understand the importance of being an organ donor.
“I’ve personally seen how important it is to ensure access to healthcare for all of our residents, and particularly the challenges that many in our rural communities across northern Michigan and the U.P. are experiencing,” Benson said. “Here at the Michigan Secretary of State, our goal is to make it easier for everyone to sign up to become a donor, and to give that gift of sight or gift of life. The more people who register, the more lives can be saved.”
You can get more information about becoming an organ donor at Michigan.gov/organdonation
