Events From: Gift of Life Michigan

The New Livingston Hospital Open House will take place from 10:00 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026.  The first, second and third floors will be open to the public to explore and learn more. 

Parking: Parking on site is limited, and we would like to keep most parking for our event guests. Additional parking is available across the street at Community Bible Church (7372 Grand River Ave., Brighton) with a free shuttle to the door of the new Trinity Health Livingston.

Please enter to get checked in near the café doors in the courtyard. A member of our staff will direct you.

Please note that the existing medical center, including our free-standing Emergency Department, will remain fully open and operational throughout the Open House. While guests will have access to designated areas for tours and activities, there will be restricted zones.

WE DO NOT NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS, ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.

10 DAYS AWAY!

REGISTRATION IS FREE & get a discount on the 2027 KCD Transplant Symposium

The Detroit MOTTEP Foundation invites you to join us for the 2026 Kountz Callender Drew Transplant Dialogue, "Where Compassion Meets Innovation". This powerful educational forum brings together leading experts, donor families, and community advocates to explore the life-saving impact of organ donation, advances in transplant research, and strategies to support mental health and wellness. Through inspiring personal stories and cutting-edge insights, this dialogue highlights how compassion, science, and community partnership work together to improve health outcomes and save lives in multicultural communities. 

“This training/event has been approved by the NASW-Michigan Chapter for 2.0 synchronous General social work CEs."

Comfort blanket making event at Unitarian Church in Flint.

These handmade fleece blankets are given to donor families as a small gesture of comfort and gratitude during an incredibly difficult time. Whether you stay for a full time slot or stop by to tie a few knots, every blanket helps wrap a family in love and support. The event is free to attend and includes a light dinner and door prizes.

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

We have been invited to host a Information/Resource table at Flint City Hall. The goal is to educate/answer questions  about donation.

Dress: Business Casual

Free parking behind City Hall in the employee parking area.

If you choose to park on the street, there is a parking meter that must be paid.

Celebrating Donate Life Month at Covenant Hospital in Saginaw.

We have been invited to host an info/resource table that will allow us to educate and thank both hospital staff and visitors in the hospital.

Dress: business casual

Food will not be provided. You will be on your feet the duration of the event. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Corewell Health Trenton Hospital is hosting their 2026 Hospital Safety Day and they have invited us to participate by hosting a resource table during the event.

In the past, this event is family friendly and engaging for little ones. 

Because this event is outdoors please be sure to check the weather before you leave your home. Dress appropriately, this event is in a field beside the hospital, it can get pretty cold if the temperatures are lower.

Additional Information:    Restrooms, shaded areas, complimentary food, and refreshments will be available for all community partners.   All community partners will be provided with a table and 2 chairs, located under a shaded tent. If you require electricity or other accommodation, please reach out with those directly.   All community partners are encouraged to invite their families to the event. We want to reach as many community members as possible.  

The event time goes from 12-3pm on May 30th, 2026.

Volunteers will receive 5 volunteer hour credits 1 hour for the commute and 1 hours for setup and breakdown.

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

We have been invited to speak at Corewell Health Troy Donor Family Gathering on April 22nd.

They have requested to different speakers, a donor family speaker and a recipient speaker. 

The recipient speaker slot has already been filled.

We are still hoping to recruit a donor family speaker.

The event goes from 10am -2pm.

The event last 4 hours but volunteers will receive 5 hours of volunteer time to include your commute.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to message me and I will connect you with the event facilitator.

If you are not speaker trained but would like to be, please feel free to reach out, so that we can get that training scheduled.

Best,

Hello Gift of Life Michigan volunteers,

Trinity Kidney Transplant team is hosting a symposium for Kidney transplant recipients. This event gives tools to post transplant recipients so that they can thrive after surgery. This is a tabling opportunity for Gift of Life. Dress comfortably and wear your Gift of Life Michigan volunteer T shirt. (If you need one please reach out to Nikki B at 313-523-2507 or via email at dbecerra@golm.org

Breakfast and lunch provided and there is opportunity to learn in the symposium. 

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

It is almost Donate Life Month!

Below there is a table that shares the list of April Comfort Blanket Events for all to attend.

The events listed below will be broken into "shifts" so that volunteers can register to each event separately. 

These events are drop in style, so please do not feel pressured to stay throughout the entirety of the event. You are welcome to stay for as little or as long as you would like.

Crafting skills are not necessary. If you can tie a knot, you can make this type of blanket.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Cathy Warren. Her contact information can be found to the right of the description box.

April Comfort Blanket Events

Event / Individual

City

Address

Date

Public or Employee/Organization Only

Corewell East

Royal Oak

3601 W 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073

4/2/2026 10 am-2 pm

Public

Wolverines for Life

Ann Arbor

Michigan League, Vandenberg

4/16/26 
event 4pm-7 pm

Public

Young Money Finance Family

Grand Rapids

Hub 07
1534 Kalamazoo St., Grand Rapids, MI

4/18/2026 11 am-1 pm

Public

Donate Life Community Breakfast

Grand Blanc

Captain's Club Golf and Event Center

4/23/2026 10 am-12 pm

Public

Corewell West

Grand Rapids

Transplant Clinic

4/24/2026 11 am-1 pm

Public

Dresch & Restrick Realty

Ann Arbor

2144 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI

4/25/2026 12 pm-3 pm

Public

Unitarian Universalist Church

Flint

2474 S Ballenger Hwy, Flint, MI 48507

4/28/2026   4-7 pm

Public

Hello Volunteers, 

Thank you for submitting or re-submitting your volunteer agreement form.

If you have not completed the trainings and quizzes linked below. Please click the links to access them below.

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

Team Michigan is hosting a fundraiser for the team to go to this year's Transplant of Games of America in Denver.

We are not looking for volunteers for this event. 

If you are interested in participating in this event, please click the link below for more information.

2026 Grand Rapids TGA Bowling Fundraiser Doc

There is also an opportunity for any willing person to donate a raffle basket. If you are interested in donating one please sign up using the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CADAE2EABF85-56667194-woodland

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

Gift of Life Michigan has been invited to host a resource table at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital's Health + Safety Fair on May 27th,2026.

We need 1-2 volunteers to help host a resource table at this event on  our behalf.

The event goes from 4pm-8pm.

This means we would most likely need a volunteer to set up the table by 3:30pm the day of and break down the table at 8:15pm.

The event will take place at Silver Shores Banquet Center in Wyandotte.

To see more information about the event please click the link to access the flyer below.

HF Health Safety Fair Flyer

If you are new and need a volunteer T-Shirt, name badge, or materials please feel free to contact me, my contact information is below.

Additionally, I recommend looking over the two helpful documents below.

Volunteer Talking points

Volunteer Tips and Tricks

Thank you for your consideration.

Best,

Nikki Becerra

dbecerra@golm.org

313-523-2507

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

We frequently host blood drives at our office in Ann Arbor.

If you are interested in donating blood, (this is not a volunteering event.) Please be sure to click the link below to register in advance.

4.22.26 Versiti blood drive Registration Link

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

You are all invited to participate at the event below.

We do not currently need volunteer help for this,  but if you would like to attend or need additional information please contact Deb Wyant at 231-571-8253.

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

The CHOOCH Foundation invites you to a day dedicated to mental wellness, healing, and community connection.
This fair brings together mental health professionals, wellness practitioners, creatives, and community organizations to support youth, families, and individuals through accessible resources and meaningful experiences.
If your work helps people feel seen, supported, and empowered, we want you there.

To see the Flyer for this event, Please click the link below:

A Mind In Motion flyer 2026

We need help from four  volunteers to host a Gift of Life Michigan resource table on our behalf.

This event is divided into two shifts.

We will send a tips and trick sheet, talking points and materials to your home address after you register. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this event, please do not hesitate to reach out to Nikki Becerra.

You can find my information below.

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers!

On behalf of Corewell Health Taylor Hospital, we are reaching out to extend an invitation to participate in our 2026 Hospital Safety Day. We are hoping that you will participate and help us contribute to our organizational mission to improve health, instill humanity, and inspire hope.

Please see below for the information regarding our 2026 Safety Day and know that we are very much looking forward to your participation!

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 10am – 1pm (I have added 30  minutes for setup and breakdown in the time frame below.)
Location: 10000 Telegraph Rd. Taylor, MI 48180

Additional Information:
Restrooms, shaded areas, complimentary food, and refreshments will be available for all attendees.

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

Hartley our Mascot, has been asked to attend this years Gift of Life Michigan Inspiring Champions Symposium at Ford field.

Roary, the Lions mascot will also be in attendance.

We need one volunteer to act as Hartley and one volunteer  to act as their handler.

If you would like more information about being Hartley please see that information linked below:

Who is Hartley T?

Here are the details:
Date: Thursday, 5/14
Time: The event runs from 9-4:10, but the Hartley performance will be from around 3-4:10
Location: Ford Field, Detroit
Parking: We will provide a code for free parking across from the stadium
Dressing room: A suite has been reserved for Hartley’s exclusive use.

The educational part of the Symposium will run from 9-3, and then attendees will be given a behind-the-scenes tour of Ford Field. They’ll go in groups of approximately 30, and tour the stadium in a round-robin route, so that they can get everyone through at the same time (approximately 3:10-4:10).
One of the tour stops (*fingers crossed nothing changes*) will be the field. We’ve secured Roary to be at this location for pictures, and we’d like to have Hartley join him.
Ford Field is much more protective of their field than the Big House is, so while there will be an opportunity to take photos, they don’t allow footballs or playing on the field.

This 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. annual event is our largest in Lansing and features display tables from transplant centers, advocacy groups and more. Lunch is free and a short program will begin at noon with a moving March of Honor to the capitol steps by donor families, transplant recipients and their families, patients on the waiting list and others. If you have a personal connection, I also encourage you to participate in this special procession.  It promises to be an inspiring day at the state capitol.   

This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of many of our staff and volunteers. If you would like to help the day of the Rally, please reach out to me, Nikki Becerra (dbecerra@golm.org) about volunteer opportunities.

We currently have 35 available volunteer slots. Please take a look at the available opportunities below.

Hello Gift of Life Michigan volunteers,

We are planning to have our Annual Capitol Rally on June 11,2026.

We are hoping to have Hartley our mascot participate in this event again this year.

Be warned it is a HOT volunteer role.

We need one volunteer to act as Hartley and one volunteer to help Hartley move around the venue. If you would like to learn more about being Hartley please see the information below:

Who is Hartley T?

Hello Gift of Life Michigan Volunteers,

You are all invited to participate in an in-person volunteer training in West Michigan on June 12th, 10am-2pm.

in the training we will cover:

We do not currently have an address for the training, please keep checking back fpr those details, otherwise once a location is set we will communicate that out via email and or phone call.

If you are interested in attending, please sign up by registering for this event. 

Save the Date!

Gift of Life's Flint Community Action Group is hosting the second annual Donate Life Community Breakfast to inspire, educate and bring people together to celebrate the loving gift of organ, eye and tissue donation.

When: Thursday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to Noon

Where: Captain's Club Golf and Event Center, Grand Blanc

Who: Everyone is welcome!

Cost: This event is free to the community

Donate Life Community Breakfast Flyer

Date:  April 22, 2026

Location: Michigan State Capitol, Lansing 

Time Commitment: Full day (morning through afternoon) 

Join fellow members of the donation community as we visit Michigan legislators to educate them about organ, eye and tissue donation and advocate for policy that will grow the Donor Registry and save more lives. 

This year’s top legislative priority is the High School Organ Donation Education Bill (HB5338 / SB206) — legislation that would encourage Michigan public schools to provide education about organ, eye and tissue donation and the Michigan Organ Donor Registry to all 9th grade students. This bill has bipartisan support and is critical to increasing teen registration rates and ensuring young people can make informed decisions about donation. 

 What to Expect on Advocacy Day 

No prior advocacy experience is required — training and materials will be provided.  

If you have a personal connection to donation, we encourage you to share it. Your participation helps ensure lawmakers understand the importance of donation and the urgent need to expand education and registry growth across Michigan.

There will be a pre- advocacy day optional and virtual training

The date has yet to be determined.

Please continue to check back for those details. 

If you register to participate, you will be receiving updated communications about this day and the pre training.

At this point we are gauging interest. The team will look at actual sign up space for districts that need signups.

Young Money Finance, an organization in Grand Rapids, will be hosting our Donate Life Month comfort blanket event. I am looking for 3-4 volunteers to help the families attending to ensure that blankets are done correctly. They will be serving food and will need help with serving as well. 

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Gift of Life Michigan welcomes the West Michigan community to an evening of connection and celebration at the annual Donate Life Night at John Ball Zoo on Thurs., July 17 from 6-9 pm. This after-hours event is dedicated to honoring organ, eye and tissue donors, celebrating transplant recipients and encouraging more residents to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.  

Guests can enjoy full access to the zoo’s animal exhibits, free face painting, ice cream, live music, and activities hosted by local community partners. A highlight of the evening will be the Celebration of Life Trail, a touching tribute showcasing the stories and memories of donors and recipients whose lives were forever changed through donation.  “Donate Life Night at the Zoo is a meaningful way for us to come together with the West Michigan transplant community,” said Dorrie Dils, president and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan. “It’s a time to honor the incredible generosity of donors and highlight the powerful stories of those whose lives have been transformed through transplantation.” 

WHEN: Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 6 - 9 PM (Volunteers may need to arrive earlier, please check back for those updates!)

WHERE: John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton Street, Grand Rapids MI, 49504

WHAT: Explore John Ball Zoo, check out resources from our community partners, and enjoy meeting other donor families, transplant recipients and supporters of organ, eye and tissue donation. We'll also honor donors and recipients on the Celebration of Life Trail, an important feature you don't want to miss.

COST: $5 donation per person is recommended Questions? Contact zoo@golm.org.

More than 2,600 Michigan patients are waiting for a lifesaving transplant.  The best way to save lives is by joining the Donor Registry. To register or learn more about the donation process, visit giftoflifemichigan.org

If you are interested in volunteering at this event please sign up using the link below.

https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/0115066039/false#/invitation

Best,