Jerry Leismer; Waterford
Leismer, a liver
recipient, was given the Shining Star award for volunteering his time visiting Secretary of State
branch offices to personally promote organ donor registration. A fixture at the Oakland County SUPER!Center in Pontiac,
he visits several times each month to share with customers the impact of organ,
tissue and eye donation. In 2010, the SUPER!Center
signed up 4,303 new donor registrants. Each day of his visit, the branch
registers anywhere from 30 to 50 people. Leismer volunteers for
Henry Ford Hospital's Transplant Ambassador Program and has received the 2010
Gift of Life Michigan Volunteer Recognition Award.
Don Korten and the Life & Sight Savers; Battle Creek
Korten, a member of the Battle Creek Host Lions Club, recruited volunteers
from his club and other local Lions Clubs to spread the word about organ, tissue
and eye donation. However, he didn't just want to do it once a year as part of 'Buddy
Day' when volunteers promote this issue at Secretary of State offices. The group set up tables several times a month at the Calhoun County PLUS
office to educate patrons. This effort paved the way for the Super Buddy
program, in which volunteers promote the Michigan Organ Donor Registry on a
regular basis throughout the year. More than 700 people have signed up on the
registry since this effort took shape.
Former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land began the program and has awarded several Shining Stars:
Founders Bank & Trust; Grand Rapids
Founders Bank & Trust was the recipient of a Corporate Shining Star award
during the year's kickoff event. Laurie Beard, bank president and CEO, and
her family agreed to donation when her son Paul died in 2005. In support,
many of Founders Bank & Trust employees added their names to the donor
registry.
Range Telecommunications; Marquette
Range Telecommunications received a Shining Star award for outstanding work
in promoting organ donor awareness. The company links possible organ transplant
recipients and hospitals. It first joined the nationwide LifePage program in
1983, which allowed customers waiting for an organ transplant to keep in touch
with transplant coordinators using pagers at no cost to the customer. It then
continued connecting patients and hospitals throughout Michigan's Upper
Peninsula after the national program ended in 2002.
Connie Mattice; Grand Rapids
Connie Mattice received a Shining Star as the manager of trauma and organ
& tissue donation programs at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus. Under her
leadership, the hospital made possible 34 organ donations in 2008, making it
No. 1 in the state. She has been a Gift of Life liaison since 2001 and
chairs Spectrum's organ donation committee. She also helped form the Nurses
Task Force on Organ Donation at Spectrum.
Tom Beyersdorf; Ann Arbor
Retiring Gift of Life Michigan executive director Tom Beyersdorf was
awarded a Shining Star for his 16 years of strong leadership and dedicated
service. Beyersdorf's extraordinary commitment to organ, tissue and eye
donation includes serving as president for the Association of Organ
Procurement Organizations, on the board of the Musculoskeletal Transplant
Foundation and in various capacities for the Organ Procurement and
Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing for 10 years.
Diana Lewis; Detroit
Diana Lewis, Action News anchor at WXYZ TV 7 in Detroit, received a
Shining Star for her continuing support of organ, tissue and eye donation.
Lewis and her daughters are honorary chairwomen of the Minority Organ Tissue
Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) "LIFE Walk," a fundraising event held
on Belle Isle every July to promote greater donor awareness. Lewis has been
a longtime booster of the event. In November 2006, Lewis selected her
favorite toppings for the "Diana Lewis Signature Pizza" at Buddy's Pizza in
Detroit. Each signature pizza purchased during the month benefited Gift of
Life Michigan MOTTEP
Hurley Medical Center; Flint
While celebrating its 100th anniversary, Hurley Medical Center was
recognized for promoting greater awareness about the need for organ, tissue
and eye donors. Until last year, Hurley had also been a site for kidney
transplantation. Through its efforts, the center has increased donation
rates from 10 percent to more than 75 percent. Patrick Wardell, Hurley
president and CEO, remarked that the work Hurley does collectively with
organ donation is a strong testament to the clinical excellence, outreach
and education accomplished every day. The center also earned the Medal of
Honor awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for
meeting the national goals for donor hospitals. It is the largest medical
center in Genesee County and was founded in 1908.
Bill Gillespie; Gibraltar
Bill Gillespie and his family are well acquainted with the importance of
organ, tissue and eye donation. In 1989, Gillespie's youngest son was a
heart-transplant recipient at age 15. Tragically, the boy died of cardiac
arrest while undergoing some routine tests at the hospital three years
later. In 1994, Gillespie began feeling poorly and was diagnosed with liver
failure. He underwent a liver transplant in 1995 and recovered. Gillespie
has been a tireless advocate for organ, tissue and eye donation. He is a
member of the Recipient Advisory Committee, has volunteered at numerous
organ, tissue and eye donation events and organized the Henry Ford Hospital
Liver Transplant Program's Annual Golf Outing. For these reasons and more,
Gillespie was honored with a Shining Star award.
Lions Club of Michigan
Dedicated to community service projects, Lion Clubs throughout Michigan
have stepped forward repeatedly to answer Helen Keller's charge from 1925 to
be the Knights of the Blind. The Ann Arbor Lions helped establish the
Michigan Eye Bank in 1957. All Michigan Lion clubs, including Lionesses and
Leos, have stepped up to create and support projects assisting the visually
impaired and blind. Through the Michigan Eye Bank, Lions have volunteered
hundreds of hours conducting organ, tissue and eye donation education and
outreach to the public at Secretary of State offices during Buddy Day each
April. A Shining Star acknowledges these true champions for their unwavering
community service and support.
Medical Technology Student Association; East Lansing
It began with an intercollegiate rivalry in 2003 between Michigan State
University and the University of Michigan. Both schools claimed they could
sign up the most organ, tissue and eye donors on the state's Organ Donor
Registry. From there, the University Challenge was born and grew into an
annual competition to enroll donors among universities and colleges
statewide. The MSU Medical Technology Student Association (MTSA) was
fundamental in creating the competition, establishing rules and guidelines,
generating marketing campaigns and developing a Web site to track donor
enrollments. Since 2003, the MTSA has recruited more than 4,400 organ,
tissue and eye donors. For its outstanding accomplishments in promoting
organ donation, the MTSA was awarded a Shining Star.
Meijer Inc.; Grand Rapids
Meijer was awarded a Shining Star for its exceptional commitment to organ
donation. The company created an internal Web page that educates employees
about the need for donation and provides a convenient link to Michigan's
Organ Donor Registry. Meijer also is taking advantage of other employee
communication tools such as newsletters and a companywide letter to heighten
awareness and highlight the stories of some of its team members who have
benefited from organ, tissue and eye donation.
Pam Powell; Detroit
Pam Powell is a lung-transplant recipient who has captivated people with
her amazing singing voice. She performs her signature song "Wind Beneath My
Wings" as a tribute to donors and their families. Powell received the lungs
after they were donated by the parents of a 12-year-old boy who died
following an asthma attack in 2000. Six years later at what would have been
her donor's high school graduation, Pam sang her special song. She is a
tireless promoter of organ, tissue and eye donation. She frequently
volunteers at events such as the annual LIFEWalk on Belle Isle; ALIVE, the
Donate Life Coalition of Michigan's annual fundraising and awareness event;
the Annual Health Ministry Seminar; and with her church. Powell earned a
Shining Star for her exemplary efforts in promoting organ, tissue and eye
donation.
David Rozelle; Kalamazoo
David Rozelle received a heart transplant in October 2001 at the
University of Michigan. After recovering from the surgery, Rozelle resumed
his teaching career as an accounting professor at Western Michigan
University. He retired in 2007 after nearly 37 years. Rozelle has worked
extensively to promote organ, tissue and eye donation with the WMU Chapter
of Beta Alpha Psi, the campus' honorary accounting fraternity. Thanks to his
efforts and encouragement, BAP succeeded in signing up more than 2,400
people to be organ, tissue and eye donors over the last three years, winning
the University Challenge cup for its extraordinary achievements. The
University Challenge is an annual competition among Michigan universities
and colleges to see which institution can sign up the most organ, tissue and
eye donors. Rozelle was awarded a Shining Star for his dedication to organ,
tissue and eye donation and for his ability to create the same enthusiasm in
others.
Remonia Chapman; Ann Arbor
Remonia Chapman's work as program director for MOTTEP Gift of Life
Michigan - Minority Organ Transplant Training and Education Program - has
led to its national recognition as a model program due to its community
collaboration, partnerships and strategic planning. MOTTEP seeks to educate
minority communities about organ donation and the need for donors. MOTTEP
participates in more than 400 community-based events each year promoting the
importance of organ and tissue donation in multicultural populations. The
Shining Star award recognized Chapman for her hard work to help save lives
through organ donation.
Beverly Cherwinski; Vanderbilt
As a lung transplant recipient, Beverly Cherwinski has been a tireless
advocate for organ and tissue donation. She is especially noted for
organizing rosebush planting ceremonies in honor of organ and tissue donors,
their families and recipients. Cherwinski is founder of the Northern
Michigan Transplant Group in Gaylord and is active in the Otsego Memorial
Hospital Auxiliary and the American Red Cross. Cherwinski was presented with
a Shining Star for her determination to honor organ donors and help promote
this crucial topic.
Oliver Hale (Chef O); Grand Rapids
Award-winning professional chef, TV personality, community volunteer and
kidney transplant recipient, Chef O's passion is good food and healthy
living. After a heart attack and kidney failure nearly ended his life, Chef
O devoted himself to eating right and teaches others the same. His cooking
demonstrations help teach dialysis patients about better eating. A tireless
volunteer, Chef O cooks at local centers for homeless people in the Grand
Rapids area. He also supports several organizations, such as the National
Kidney Foundation, and is active in transplant sports - having won medals in
tennis, track and field, and fencing. He exemplifies what it means to be a
Shining Star.
Alan B. Leichtman, M.D.; Ann Arbor
Dr. Alan Leichtman is a renal transplant surgeon and is an outstanding
supporter of organ and tissue donation. He is the medical director of renal
transplantation at the University of Michigan and a professor of internal
medicine. He has chaired a national committee to improve the system of
apportioning donor organs among transplant recipients. He has served on
numerous committees, including as chairman of the Kidney and Pancreas
Transplantation Committee of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation
Network/United Network for Organ Sharing. His lifetime career devotion to
the field of organ transplantation is a testament to his belief in the power
of organ donation to transform lives and has earned him a Shining Star.
Mary Catherine Sears; Saginaw
In need of a kidney transplant due to diabetes, Mary Catherine Sears was
telling her story to a couple she had just met at a church retreat in early
2000. To her complete surprise, they agreed to be tested and the wife ended
up donating one of her kidneys. Since her transplant, Sears has been
extremely active as a Gift of Life volunteer, participating in more than 60
public presentations. She is a volunteer leader, an active member of the
Recipient Advisory Committee, leads the Mid-Michigan Transplant Support
Group, serves on the Donate Life Coalition of Michigan and participates in
the U.S. Transplant Olympic Games. For all of her efforts, Sears was
recognized with a Shining Star.
Lisa Ziff; West Bloomfield
Lisa Ziff appreciates the miracle of organ donation every time she looks
in the eyes of her healthy daughter, Shay. When Shay was five months old,
she underwent a heart transplant. This experience transformed Ziff into a
tireless supporter of organ donation. Ziff educates all she meets about the
importance of organ donation, has volunteered at countless events, fairs and
walk-a-thons to encourage people to sign up to be donors and has given many
media interviews about Shay's experience to help further publicize donation.
She has helped countless people understand the importance of organ donation
and was awarded a Shining Star for her efforts.
Donor Family Advisory Committee - Gift of Life Michigan; Ann Arbor
Donor Family Advisory Committee - Gift of Life Michigan has been
instrumental in establishing a number of innovative programs and services,
including a peer network to help bereaved families and a thank-you card
program allowing newly transplanted recipients to express their gratitude to
their donor's family. Each member of the committee has a unique donor story
to share, and together they have helped educate countless people about the
importance of donation. The Shining Star award acknowledges the committee's
remarkable works.
Cindy Giannini; Sterling Heights
Cindy Giannini made the selfless decision to donate her son's organs at
the time of his death in 2002. Shortly thereafter, Giannini shared her son's
story at her church, staffed tables to distribute organ donor information
and arranged for a Giving Tree display at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal
Oak. For these and her continuing efforts to promote organ and tissue
donation, Giannini was awarded a Shining Star.
Mark Gravel; Ann Arbor
Mark Gravel's dedication to organ and tissue donation has placed the
University of Michigan Health System in the limelight as one of three
hospitals nationally with exceptional organ donation achievements. As the
director of donation initiatives for the University of Michigan Transplant
Center, Gravel has been instrumental in changing hospital policy to allow
families to donate their loved ones' organs at the point of cardiac death
once all measures to save the patient's life were exhausted. As a result,
several dozen donations at U-M hospitals have been made possible that
otherwise would not have been considered. Gravel's success has sparked
similar initiatives at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Spectrum Health in
Grand Rapids and others around the state and earned him a Shining Star
award.
James Hoogeboom, D.O.; Grand Rapids
Dr. James Hoogeboom's commitment to promoting greater organ donor
awareness has consistently positioned Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids
as one of the largest donors of organs in Michigan for more than 15 years.
His efforts have also led to Spectrum Health System's recognition as the
second-largest organ donor in the nation. His work has brought greater
awareness to the issue of organ and tissue donation and earned him a Shining
Star.
Max and Gloria Schindler; Gladwin
When Max and Gloria Schindler's 15-year-old daughter was tragically
killed in an automobile accident, they generously donated her organs and
tissues to help others in need. Since that life-altering event, the
Schindlers have given tremendous time and effort to championing donation,
including organizing rosebush planting ceremonies to honor other donors.
They were recognized with a Shining Star for their selfless example, which
helps others better understand the benefits of organ donation.
Bill Schwerin; Mt. Morris
Bill Schwerin understands the importance of organ and tissue donation
because he is a lifelong diabetic and a kidney and pancreas transplant
recipient. Schwerin was recognized with a Shining Star for his efforts to
educate children about the importance of organ and tissue donation through
the use of "Stuffee," a 7-foot tall, plush character based at the Flint
Children's Museum. Stuffee is designed to showcase the internal organs and
their functions in a manner that is medically accurate and nonthreatening to
small children.
S.O.D.A. (Spreading Organ Donor Awareness); Flint
Advocates for greater organ donor awareness in the Flint area, under the
leadership of kidney recipient state Rep. John Gleason, established S.O.D.A.
in 2004. Through the efforts of S.O.D.A., community and religious leaders,
pharmaceutical companies, hospital employees, transplant physicians,
recipients and donor families have all joined together to spread the word
about organ donation. It continues to expand its outreach by participating
with the Flint Pan-Hellenic Council, Michigan Shriners, community health
fairs and local unions. S.O.D.A's tremendous efforts certainly earned it a
Shining Star.
Marie Sweeney, IHM; Detroit
In the fall of 2001, Sister Sweeney received a lung transplant. Nine
months later, she was volunteering her time and energy to help others
waiting for a lifesaving transplant. In 2004, Sister Sweeney convinced the
Michigan Catholic newspaper to support National Donor Sabbath Weekend and
had information presented to every Catholic church in the Archdiocese of
Detroit and the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Her example has shown many the
benefits of organ and tissue donation and garnered her a Shining Star.
