News & Media
Organ Donation in Michigan: Growing Donor Numbers Reflects Growing Need
This type of phone call from a patient's doctor, indicating an available organ, is not just exciting -- it is life changing. Though every patient who needs an organ dreams of receiving a call, it may come weeks, months and in many cases, years after a patient is added to a transplant list -- a situation that becomes heart wrenching and draining to both patients and their families.
For Jeff Jacobs, MD, a physician specializing in pediatrics in Calumetin Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, organ donation is not just a topic to be discussed with patients -- Doctor Jacobs is facing the tough reality of organ donation himself. He is currently waiting for a call of his own.
Doctor Jacobs' liver was damaged as a result of a medication side effect and complication from an accident, which took a toll on every aspect of his health. From energy levels, to minor illnesses, Doctor Jacobs explains that his dvamaged liver has led to countless hospital visits to combat the side effects of a failing organ.
Waking up every day on what he calls an "emotional rollercoaster," waiting for an organ has made Doctor Jacobs explore different perspectives as a physician. Trained to be a protector of life, Doctor Jacobs finds the idea of waiting on the death of another person to reclaim his own health is a stark contrast to his professional caregiving mindset.
"Everything in your life gets changed around," Doctor Jacobs said. "You feel out of control of your life because you're following what doctors and hospital staff are telling you, but you also have to remember to listen to your own body."
As a medical professional himself, Doctor Jacobs has had to adjust to being the recipient of advice on organ donation rather than the provider. Though he admits he has edged back from discussing organ donation with patients since being added to the transplant list, he asks one question to potential donors -- what's the downside?
"You're truly helping someone else," Doctor Jacobs said. "Both you and your family can get the rare kind of satisfaction of helping another human being live on into the future."
For Betsy Miner-Swartz, along with the rest of the team at Gift of Life Michigan, educating the public about the lack of downsides as an organ donor is a high priority. As a communication specialist, Miner-Swartz tells the stories of Michigan residents who have survived dire health situations after receiving their call and life-saving transplant.
Though Miner-Swartz is thrilled about the uptick in organ donor registrants, she says there is still work to be done within the public and medical communities.
"Organ donation is important because the need never goes away, the need only amplifies" Miner-Swartz said. "There's never a month in this state that doesn't break a record for the number of people waiting. Every single month, in every single year, the number of people waiting goes up. There's never enough to fill the need."
According to Miner-Swartz, Michigan physicians actively communicating with patients about the importance of organ donation plays a pivotal role in heightening donor registration numbers. Doctors statewide have an incredible ability to change lives outside of their own practices -- the lives of those waiting on the transplant list.
After several years of involvement with the Gift of Life program, Miner-Swartz has a few simple words of advice for those who may be on the fence about donor registration -- don't count yourself out.
"We tell people, if you want to do it, just sign up," Miner-Swartz said. "Don't rule yourself out medically. Just because you have a bad heart, doesn't mean you are unable to donate your lungs or kidneys."
With thousands still waiting for that life-altering call, every donor registration has the opportunity to provide a sense of hope to patients in need. Prolonging another person's life may seem like an abstract and faraway concept, but Miner-Swartz says there is truly no gift quite like becoming an organ donor.
"Organ donation is really the best legacy you can ever have," she said. "You are literally giving life to another person."
By Chloe Seymour for the Michigan State Medical Society