#Donate life michigan license#
#Donate life michigan plus#

#Donate life michigan license#

“Here in Michigan, we’ve made it easier than ever to join the organ donor registry – anyone can sign up when renewing their license or at one of the many self-service stations in grocery stores statewide, or anytime through our website. “The decision to register as an organ donor is the first step in a heroic act of giving,” said Benson. Armond Baskin, in kidney failure and in need of a transplant, also shared his experience at today’s event. Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor) to encourage Michiganders to sign up as organ donors and spread awareness of Michigan’s Organ Donor Registry. Benson was joined by Dorrie Dils, president and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, Diane Hollingsworth, president/CEO of Eversight, Sen. In recognition of April as National Donate Life Month, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson today joined statewide partners for a press conference highlighting the life-saving impact of organ donation. The bill is currently in committee, where it will be discussed before proceeding for further discussion in the legislature.MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE JOCELYN BENSON Because laws began changing just a few years ago, many HIV-positive patients believe they can't donate and are not on the organ registry for this reason. The legislation would also send the message to HIV-positive folks that they can donate and have the choice to save a life. 'We're not going to see thousands of organs from this legislation, but it's significant enough when you add it up across the country, that it's meaningful,' said Dils. While it's a small number, it can make a substantial difference nationally where that number can grow into the hundreds. If the HOPE Act passes in Michigan, it would likely allow Gift of Life to harvest between six and nine organs per year. It would give patients in both groups a greater chance at finding a match. If the law were to be changed, it would allow them to receive positive organs, in turn allowing negative organs to go to people who do not have HIV.

If a Michigander who is HIV positive is in need of an organ transplant, they can currently receive organs from donors that are negative. 'It increases the pool of patients, if you will, that we can recover organs from.' 'Every organ donor counts every organ transplant counts,' said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life. Gift of Life Michigan also supports the legislation.

The bill has received support from members of both parties, with 32 co-sponsors. If we can improve that even more, that's just another no-brainer to me.' 'HIV is not obviously what we thought of before as a death sentence. 'As Michiganders, we should want to do this and do this for our residents and their families and extend life,' said Representative Brabec. Nearby Ohio, Illinois and Indiana all allow HIV patients to donate organs.

#Donate life michigan plus#

Nineteen other states plus Washington D.C. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield) introduced last week the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act, also known as the HOPE Act. However, other states allow the procedure, in turn meaning that organs that are positive are transported to HIV patients out of state in need of a donor. Right now, Michigan law does not allow for HIV-positive patients to donate to fellow Michiganders. A bill recently introduced in the Michigan House would make it possible for HIV patients to donate organs to other HIV-positive people.