The Michigan Eye-Bank is pleased to welcome Zach Ribble as our new Community Engagement Associate. Zach replaces Alison Claerhout, who has been promoted to Community Engagement Coordinator.

Prior to coming to the Eye-Bank, Zach worked in marketing and community relations for the Detroit Pistons and the University of Michigan.

Look for communication from Zach in the coming months about volunteer opportunities with the Eye-Bank. In the mean time, feel free to contact him for ways to get more involved, or if you have a community event in which you’d like the Eye-Bank to participate. He can be reached at (734) 887-2325 or zribble@michiganeyebank.org.

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Donor Family Ceremony

This year, the Michigan Eye-Bank teamed up with Gift of Life Michigan to honor those who gave their eyes, organs and tissues during the past year at the annual Michigan Donor Family Ceremony.

At the October 4th event, held at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, friends and family members of 2008 donors were recognized for the gifts given by their loved ones during the moving ceremony, which included a moving slideshow featuring photographs of donors.

The slideshow is available on-line here.

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Ambassador Spotlight: Chris Midkiff

Christ Midkiff is a cornea recipient and Michigan Eye-Bank Ambassador. We had the opportunity to talk with Chris about his experience, and about his involvement with the Eye-Bank.

MEB: How was life different before
you were a cornea recipient?

CM: “Before I received my cornea transplant, each day was a struggle. I was pretty much blind in my right eye and couldn’t move around well. My right eye brought frequent headaches and anxiety, and it made participating in activities very difficult.”

MEB: How has your cornea transplant changed you?

CM: “My life has changed for the better in so many ways. It’s wonderful now that I can clearly see how beautiful things are. My mood is so much different… I’m a happy camper now. Now I really enjoy driving my Pontiac Firebird, reading lots of books, going bowling, playing billiards and spending time with family and friends! “

MEB: What was it like to attend the Donor Family Ceremony, and to be honored as a recipient in front of the audience?

CM: “It gave me the opportunity to thank so many families for the Gift of Sight and the extraordinary thing their loved ones did for all organ and tissue recipients. We all appreciated being together in one setting. Meeting some of the honored cornea recipients allowed for us to each tell our stories.”

MEB: What do you tell others about the Michigan Organ Donor Registry? How might you convince others to register?

CM: “Because I’m a recipient, I spread the word of the Michigan Organ Donor Registry in any way that I can. I start with my family and friends who I am so close to, tell them what I’ve experienced and the difference organ donation means, and from there my message can branch out. I tell others how organ donation is a very good thing and important because it saves and improves so many lives.”

MEB: Why did you become an Ambassador and what do you hope to be able to do?

CM: “Being an Ambassador has allowed me to give thanks for the gift of sight that I received. Because I’ve been so fortunate, I believe it’s my obligation to spread the word at future community events and make a difference for so many others.”

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I Joined! enters Phase II

With Phase I of the Michigan Eye-Bank’s I Joined! campaign drawing to a close, it’s time to get geared up for Phase II, which broadens the campaign’s focus from Lions Clubs to whole communities by setting up Donor Registry stations at community events.

The Michigan Eye-Bank has set a three-year goal to add 33,000 people to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, and we need your help. If you know of an event in your community, consider it an opportunity for a Michigan Eye-Bank Donate Life Station. The Donate Life Station consists of a laptop computer, a banner, a table sign, mints and stickers. Using the laptop computer, along with a wireless Internet card, Ambassadors can sign people up on the Donor Registry via the Internet. Those who sign up will receive their red “DONOR” heart stickers from the Secretary of State in the mail in a few weeks.

If you’d like to have a Donate Life Station at your community event, contact Alison Claerhout at (734) 887-2304.

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Donor Drive 2010

There are nearly 3,000 people in Michigan who are on the waiting list for a life-saving transplant, and nationwide, the waiting list has more than 100,000 people, too many of whom will die waiting. That’s why Gift of Life Michigan is launching Donor Drive 2010, with goal of adding one million names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry by the end of 2010, and the Michigan Eye-Bank is proud to be a significant partner in these efforts. Currently, only about 20 percent of Michigan residents are on the Registry, which is well below the national average.

Volunteers are necessary to make Donor Drive 2010 a success. Gift of Life is challenging each volunteer to find 200 people who are willing to join the Donor Registry. To do so, volunteers will be asked to act as liaisons at their local Secretary of State branch offices, and coordinate “mini Buddy Days” on a monthly basis, greeting customers and encouraging them to tell the clerk that they would like a red heart “DONOR” sticker. Volunteers will also be responsible for keeping their branch offices’ posters and brochures on display.

If you would like to volunteer, contact Alison Claerhout at (734) 887-2304.

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Flags Across America honors eye, organ and tissue donors

In 2009, Donate Life America initiated the Flags Across America program during National Donate Life Month as a symbol to the American public of how many people have been touched by donation and to call attention to the need for more people to designate themselves as donors.

More than 5,000 Donate Life flags adorned the skies in 39 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. Flags were flown at donor hospitals, transplant centers, donation agencies and motor vehicle departments. In addition to flag raising events, many partners held recognition ceremonies in which donor families were presented with a keepsake flag; car flags were flown on recovery vehicles; and smaller flags were staked in gardens and public areas of hospitals, workplace buildings and homes across the country.

For Flags Across America 2010, Donate Life America invites all donor families, recipients and patients waiting to join in this nationwide display of unity and hope.

Ways you can celebrate Flags Across America 2010:

Visit www.donatelife.net and click on the Donate Life store to view flag items. Flag quantities are limited, so act now to ensure delivery by early March!

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Tim Horner Memorial Golf Outing

Tim Horner was only 31 years old when he passed away suddenly in December, 2006.

To honor his memory, his family and friends started the Tim Horner Memorial Golf Outing, held every year at Fox Creek Golf Course in Livonia. Proceeds from the outing benefit the Michigan Eye-Bank and Gift of Life Michigan.

This year’s Golf Outing was held on September 19, 2009. The Michigan
Eye-Bank is grateful for the support from the Horner family.