In the heart of Detroit’s Belle Isle, the Gift of Life Michigan’s MOTTEP (Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program) hosted its much-anticipated 26th annual LIFEWalk/Run event. The community came together to participate in a 5K walk and run and a challenging 10K run under the theme “Putting our Heart in Every Step.” The event aimed to celebrate transformed lives while also promoting a crucial message: becoming a registered organ donor by getting a heart symbol on your driver’s license.
The director of Public Education and Community Relations for Gift of Life Michigan and director of the Detroit MOTTEP Foundation, Remonia Chapman, expressed the event’s significance, stating, “This is about celebrating transformed lives.”
One remarkable recipient of this life-changing gift was three-year-old Benjamin McClendon. At LIFEWalk 2023, Benjamin received a well-deserved award for being the youngest transplant recipient at the event and one of Michigan’s youngest organ transplant recipients. Fondly nicknamed “Big Ben” by the Children’s Hospital of Michigan staff, Benjamin received his new heart when he was just a few months old. This year, his parents had the heartwarming opportunity to borrow a stethoscope and listen to their son’s transplanted heart, beating strongly in his chest.
Gift of Life MOTTEP’s commendable work in the community received praise from partnering organizations like Michigan Humane, whose President & CEO, Mark Pepper, acknowledged the event’s impact on lives beyond animals. “The word ‘humane’ can extend itself into the lives of people. It’s not limited to animals. We both honor life in all ways,” he remarked.
Dorrie Dils, President and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that their mission is to honor life through donation, inclusive of all, and with compassionate support for one another.
The event also began National Minority Donor Awareness Month in August, highlighting the critical need for organ and tissue donors in multicultural populations. Surprisingly, more than half of the individuals awaiting life-saving organ transplants in the U.S. are people of color. Yet, the registration rates for donors in multicultural communities traditionally lag behind.
The LIFEWalk/Run garnered support from several organizations, including Henry Ford Health System, Michigan Medicine, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, and Ascension Health. Each partner played a crucial role in promoting the message of organ and tissue donation alongside the significance of health and wellness. Notable contributions came from Michigan Humane, Canine to Five, Ainsley’s Angels, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
In Michigan alone, approximately 2,400 people are currently awaiting organ transplants, with nearly half being African-American, Latinx, or Arab-American descent. Nationally, the number of people on the organ transplant waiting list exceeds 100,000, with more than 60% representing racial and ethnic minorities.
Gift of Life Michigan’s CEO, Dorrie Dils, urged everyone to “Check Your Heart” in light of these statistics. The call to action is simple: take a moment to look at your driver’s license or state ID for the donor heart symbol. For those who have already registered, the organization extends its gratitude. For those who haven’t, Gift of Life MOTTEP encourages them to “Check Your Heart” and sign up to be an organ donor, as there is no reason for anyone today to wait for a life-saving organ transplant.
As the LIFEWalk/Run 2023 came to a successful conclusion, it left participants inspired and reminded of the power of generosity and compassion as they collectively took steps toward building a healthier and more giving community.
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