On National Donor Day, which coincides with Valentine’s Day, Dory Dills, the CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, appeared on Morning Plus to promote the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Dills used the occasion to highlight how a decision to donate organs can be a powerful act of love, allowing individuals to save or enhance the lives of others. National Donor Day is an annual observance that encourages people to register as organ donors, and Dills emphasized how timely it is to discuss this on a day dedicated to love and selflessness.
Dills explained that Gift of Life Michigan is responsible for facilitating the donation process when someone passes away. The organization works with families to make organ donations possible, matching the organs and tissues of donors to recipients in need. She emphasized the importance of signing up for the Michigan Donor Registry, which is an easy process that can be completed during the renewal of a driver’s license or through online services offered by the Secretary of State.
In addition, Dills discussed the unique opportunity offered by the Check Your Heart Act, which passed in 2023. This law allows people to sign up as organ donors when they file their state income taxes. Dills pointed out that in the first year of this initiative, over 120,000 people opted to register as organ donors through their tax forms. The effort has gained momentum, and Dills expects even more people to sign up this year.
Currently, there are over 2,500 people in Michigan who are waiting for life-saving organ transplants, and Dills emphasized the urgency of increasing the number of registered donors to meet this demand. She also reminded people that it is important to have conversations with family members about their wishes regarding organ donation, as this ensures smoother decision-making in the event of an individual’s death. Gift of Life Michigan’s mission is to continue growing the donor registry and raise awareness about the critical need for more donations to save lives.
