‘All of Us’ surges in popularity at schools across Michigan
BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON
There’s a buzz in the air when Gift of Life Michigan educators arrive at a school with their red trunk of supplies and plasticized real human organs used to teach about donation and transplant. The “All of Us” education program is a real draw. “Everybody hears that we’re there,” said Alison Gillum, senior community relations coordinator at Gift of Life. Curious teachers pop in for a look. Students chatter about it in the halls. “When we leave, the people in the office tell us, ‘We’ve been hearing about you guys all day.’” “All of Us” is booming. More teachers than ever are asking for the unique program, with its real organs, interactive games, and personal message about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. When the program started in 2018 Gift of Life delivered 68 school presentations. This year that number stands at more than 500, with busy months ahead. In just the first half of 2023 “All of Us” has reached 16,181 students — more than in all of 2022.
Students get the opportunity to wear glasses that simulate the distorted vision that comes with cornea damage. Cornea transplants restore sight.
Sometimes, the presentation is extra personal. When Almont High School teacher Kristin Rohrbeck heard about the program last fall, she knew it would be emotional to bring it to her five biology classes. Her daughter, Beth, died the year before of a pulmonary embolism. Beth’s donated corneas helped restore vision to a New Jersey artist and a man in South Korea.
Two substantial gifts are funding the surging interest, Gillum said. Pamela and Krishna Sawhney of Bloomfield Hills donated $125,000 to the award-winning program. And Key2Finesse, a nonprofit founded by Metro Detroit high school students, raised $75,000 to help sustain “All of Us”. The funds have paid for materials and for three additional educators to present the program.
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Gift of Life Michigan | golm.org
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