![]() Her other efforts in partnership with organ donor advocates included the creation of an advisory task force, educational efforts and reminders on widely used forms. It resulted in record increases in sign-ups, including a 62 percent last month over March 2011. Johnson, vowing to improve Michigan’s numbers, last year directed SOS employees, time permitting, to ask every customer if they wanted to join Michigan’s organ donor registry. She hopes it will encourage the nearly 50,000 customers who visit Secretary of State offices every day to consider becoming organ donors. Getting the “Join the Team” message out is critical, Johnson said. More than 1,300 athletes who are organ recipients will compete in a wide range of sporting events. To hear his story, visit As part of additional efforts to their 2012 “Join the Team” campaign, the Michigan Secretary of State office, Gift of Life Michigan and the Michigan Eye-Bank are also helping to promote the Transplant Games of America, to be held July 28-31 in Grand Rapids. ![]() The Taylor resident will be featured on baseball-themed posters in Secretary of State offices across the state to encourage organ donation. “We are extremely grateful to Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and all Secretary of State employees who make it so easy for citizens to document their decision that they want to be a hero to those who are desperately in need.”Īlso attending Wednesday’s Donate Life Month event was 11-year-old Jai’Wan Davis-Harbour who has been on dialysis since he was 7 months old and is waiting for a kidney.ĭavis-Harbour, who smiled as he was hugged by PAWS, wants to be a baseball player when he grows up. “Every time someone joins the donor registry, they give hope to the thousands of people in Michigan who need an organ or tissue transplant for renewed or improved life,” said Richard Pietroski, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan. “Donate Life Month provides the perfect opportunity to renew our commitment and rally support to save lives.” “We saw record-breaking statewide numbers last year with 400,000 people – a 25 percent increase – signing up to become organ donors and we must keep that momentum going strong,” said Johnson. Johnson was joined by Gift of Life Michigan and Michigan Eye-Bank partners at the Livonia Area SUPER!Center, one of the top Secretary of State offices for organ donor sign-ups. ![]() She and her husband reside in Plymouth, Michigan and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.In celebration of national Donate Life Month, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, organ donation advocates and even Detroit Tigers mascot PAWS today urged Michigan residents to “Join the Team” by signing up to become organ, tissue and eye donors. Patty Jo retired in 2012 after 30 years in the insurance industry. In 2015, her sister, Maureen, passed away and her corneas were donated, which will help provide scientists with the resources they need to find new cures and treatments for blinding eye conditions. Donating Ellen's organs has positively affected her family, as Ellen is living on in others. After saying goodbye to Ellen, Patty Jo remembers walking out of the hospital room and the emergency room doctor holding her hands and telling her what an incredible gift her family was giving at such a difficult time. Patty Jo became involved in the organ donation community following the passing of her sister, Ellen, in 1997. She also serves as the Chair of the Eversight Board, the Past President of the Gift of Life Foundation, and is a member of the Donation Board of MTF Biologics. Patty Jo is the President and CEO of the Michigan Donor Family Council and a founding member. Patricia Jo Herndon, CEO and President Donor Sister
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