Michigan organ donation waitlist grows as lawmakers push education bill

LANSING, Mich. (News 10) - More than 2,500 people are on the organ donation wait list in Michigan, but there are not enough donors to meet that need.

Eight years ago, Erika Thomas’ father was on that list.

“He had heart disease and he was waiting for a heart. He was on the heart transplant list for around six months. And sadly, he passed away from a stroke,” Thomas said.

Gift of Life Michigan says the best way to shorten the wait is to grow the state’s organ donor registry. But according to the Michigan Department of State, that registry is growing at its slowest rate ever.

Getting a driver’s license is the number one way Michiganders are asked to become an organ donor. The problem is, fewer teens than ever before are getting their license. Bipartisan legislation in Lansing would change that by adding a second entry point in Michigan classrooms.

Education bill targets teens

A bill from state Rep. Tom Kunse would bring an organ donation class to 9th grade classrooms. The goal is for teens to understand the full context of what it means to become an organ donor when they go to get their license.

“We just want to educate people about it. And if you don’t want to participate, that’s fine. There’s nobody opposed to these bills,” said Kunse, R-Big Rapids.

Gift of Life Michigan CEO Dorrie Dils says teens are willing, but not aware.

“We know that Michigan teenagers are not any less generous. They’re not prepared for when the question gets posed to them,” Dils said.

“You’re never promised tomorrow. And so, making the choice to be on the registry, just knowing that you can save someone’s life,” Thomas said.

Ohio, Illinois and Indiana already teach organ donor education in their schools. Kunse says the bill is out of committee and headed to the House floor next week.

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