Michigan Organ Donor List at 52%

I am one of the 4 million Michigan residents who are on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry... are you?

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has announced that the Michigan Organ Donor Registry now stands at more than 4 million people willing to be organ, tissue and eye donors, bringing the statewide total of donor registrants to 52 percent of adults.

She broke the news July 25 to a thousand walkers and runners on Detroit’s Belle Isle at the 18th annual LIFE Walk, sponsored by Gift of Life Michigan’s Minority Organ, Tissue Transplant Education Program. The program is dedicated to reducing the need for organ and tissue transplants among ethnic and minority populations, who make up nearly 50 percent of patients waiting for a transplant.

“This is wonderful news for Michigan because organ, tissue and eye donation saves and improves lives,” Johnson said. “Add your name to the donor registry and become a hero. Every name on the list means hope for the 3,500 people in Michigan waiting for a life-saving or life-enhancing transplant.”

Since 2011, Michigan’s organ donor enrollment ranking has jumped from almost dead last to 35th in the country, matching the national average. About 2 million people, or one-fifth of the state’s population, added their names to the donor registry in the last four years.

I, personally, think it's a wonderful thing to do.  I've been on Michigan's Organ Donor Registry since I moved here in 2012.

To learn more about giving the gift of life, click here.