This November, the Ross Medical Education Center campus in Port Huron, Michigan had the privilege of hosting Kyle Bailey, a trained volunteer for the Gift of Life Michigan Organ and Tissue Donation Program. Kyle was able to come to the campus and speak with students. As the only documented triple organ transplant recipient in the state of Michigan, Kyle is an incredible young man with an undeniable passion and perseverance for life.
Kyle discussed the Gift of Life Michigan Organ and Tissue Donation Program, explaining to students the importance of such an amazing foundation. Gift of Life Michigan is a non-profit, full-service organ and tissue recovery organization for the state. Established in 1971, Gift of Life acts as an intermediary between donor hospitals and recipient transplant centers. This organization employs nearly 200 people and provides all services necessary for organ and tissue donation to occur. Their tagline is “the power to heal lives” and for good reason. This applies to the recipients and the donor families whose loved ones have left a legacy of generosity.
The foundation is set up to receive healthy organs and/or tissue to help people throughout Michigan who are in need of a transplant in order to sustain their life, as well as for therapy, research and education purposes. Their website states that “more than 3,500 very sick Michigan residents are waiting today for organ transplants and a new shot at life.” Kyle was one of those people. However, thanks to his three separate successful organ transplants, he is once again pursuing his passion as a Professional Golf Association (PGA) Assistant at Solitude Lakes and helping his younger brother reach the capstone of his golf game.
To understand Kyle’s passion for the Gift of Life program, one must know a bit of his story. During Kyle’s visit to Ross, he shared some of his experiences. He explained that six years after a double lung transplant he found himself in need of both a liver and a kidney transplant due to the effects of his cystic fibrosis cirrhosis. Kyle knew the list was very long, so imagine when he received that very important call from the Gift of Life informing him that he was going to receive the transplants he needed to live. In just thirteen short weeks after the transplants, Kyle was back to living life to the fullest. Kyle went on to share that after his multiple organ transplants he completed a 230 mile run from Lexington, Michigan to Muskegon, Michigan in a mere three days and five pair of shoes. He raised a total of $59,000.00 for the Gift of Life organization and added numerous donors to the registry.
As one can imagine, this moving story captured the attention of every staff member and student which provoked emotional and inspiring dialogue throughout Kyle’s presentation. Stacey Clark, Assistant Campus Director of Education, shared, “I was in awe of Kyle. His story was so heartfelt and genuine, he captivated the entire audience.”
To learn more about this important lifesaving program, please go to www.giftoflifemichigan.org. Anyone interested in contributing to the foundation can do so at giftoflifefoundationmi.org/to-contribute/.