Alyssa Voss and her son, Coleton, were the first to donate placenta to Gift of Life Michigan in 2019. He’s now going on 4 years old and has already helped up to 20 people heal with his placenta tissue.
This is Coleton nearly four years ago. Every newborn placenta donor receives this onesie.
The expansion will require two new staff positions to handle the potential of thousands of placenta donations in 2023. Her team has recovered 148 since the program was launched, with half of them coming in 2021. “Placenta is a miracle tissue for healing that helps patients with open wounds return to normal life,” she said. “So, to know more will be donated to help people suffering and in pain, is amazing to us.”
Shannon said placenta properties are so unique, medical experts are still in the early stages of understanding how it can be used. What is known: Placenta grafts help patients heal stubborn diabetic ulcers and traumatic gaping wounds that won’t close. It also is used in spinal, dental and eye procedures. That means Coleton was born a hero. The Gift of Life-issued onesie he wore in the days after he entered the world says so. All newborns who
are part of the donation program receive one. Coleton’s dad, Josh, is thrilled that Alyssa and Coleton made a difference for others. “We’ve always wanted to be a gracious family. If someone needs help, we want to be able to do that,” he said. “Coleton doesn’t grasp yet what he did but as time goes on, we will make sure he understands.”
LifeLINES | 2023
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