Kenneth Henderson Becomes Advocate After Life-Saving kidney transplant At Gift Of Life Michigan
USA: Kenneth Henderson spent years tethered to nightly dialysis before a kidney transplant gave him a dramatic second chance and a new mission. After living with progressive kidney disease, he underwent nightly dialysis sessions of about 10 hours and endured 4.5 years on the treatment that reshaped daily life and limited travel and work. The uncertainty of waiting for a transplant and the emotional toll of being on the list were constant companions until the call that rushed him into surgery and into recovery.
The transplant itself came quickly once a match was found. Recovery brought tangible changes: renewed energy, the ability to sleep without a machine, and the realization that the operation had truly restored possibilities he had feared were gone. That recovery recalibrated Henderson’s goals and outlook; what began as a personal rescue evolved into public advocacy rooted in gratitude and purpose.
Today Henderson serves as community relations coordinator at Gift of Life Michigan, traveling wherever he can to raise awareness about organ, tissue, and eye donation. His role centers on outreach at community events and presentations, explaining how donation and the procurement system enable life-saving transplants. He emphasizes that while the wait can be discouraging, registering as a donor can directly support those waiting for organs and tissues.
Across Michigan there are roughly 2,700 people waiting for life-saving transplants. Registration for organ and tissue donation is accessible through common health portals such as MyChart and via the state’s donor registry, steps that strengthen procurement programs and expand the pool of potential donors. Henderson’s story is now being used to educate communities about the real human stakes of transplantation and to encourage practical action that can turn waiting lists into second chances for others.
Video originally published on 2026-02-10 21:23:43
