Patty Jo Herndon
Donor sister and MDFC CEO, Patty Jo Herndon receives the Eversight William "Doc" Barr Knights for Vision Fellowship. This award is the highest Lion award at Eversight (the states eye bank) and recognizes outstanding individuals in their commitment to the gift of sight. Patty Jo was given this award for her work on Eversight's Michigan Advisory Board which supports the organization's charitable mission through philanthropic outreach.
Alison Kilduff
We are proud to announce that MDFC member Alison Kilduff received the 2022 A. Charles Weir Sight Conservation Fellowship Award from Eversight & the Ann Arbor Host Lions Club. It is in recognition of her outstanding dedication to humanitarian work for the gift of sight. Alison is an incredible individual and volunteers whenever and wherever she can.
Marge Del Greco
Michigan Secretary of State’s Shining Star Award, 2019 – Marge Del Greco received the SOS Shining Star Award for her exceptional dedication to helping to save and heal lives through her tireless work in promoting organ, eye and tissue donation. Marge has been a volunteer with Gift of Life Michigan for over 15 years and is the co-Manager of Team Michigan, helping to coordinate Team Michigan to attend the Donate Life Transplant Games. Marge is a two-time liver recipient and serves as the Vice President of the Michigan Donor Family Council.
Kim Zasa
Michigan Secretary of State’s Shining Star Award, 2018 – Kim is Gift of Life Michigan’s Secretary of State Liaison and Volunteer Coordinator. She has made more than 700 visits to SOS offices statewide to answer questions from staff, provide materials and generally to support clerks in their role as the department’s organ donor ambassadors to the public. Kim serves as the Secretary of the Michigan Donor Family Council.
Tim Davidson
Donate Life America’s Volunteer Service Award, 2017 – Tim Davidson is a liver recipient who received the Donate Life America Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding contributions to the donation and transplantation community. Tim is a longtime volunteer for Gift of Life Michigan and frequently shares his donor’s story with others to help promote organ, eye and tissue donation. Tim serves as the Chief Information Officer of the Michigan Donor Family Council.
Patty Jo Herndon
Michigan Secretary of State’s Shining Star Award, 2017 – Patty Jo Herndon received the SOS Shining Star Award for her exceptional dedication to sharing the message of organ, tissue and eye donation. Patty Jo’s sister, Ellen, gave the gift of life to help save and heal lives and sister Maureen was a cornea donor for research. Patty Jo serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Donor Family Council.
Artelia Griggs
Michigan Secretary of State’s Shining Star Award, 2016 - Artelia is a donor mother whose 39-year-old daughter Angela died from a fatal asthma attack in November 2010 in Pennsylvania. Angela was a registered organ and tissue donor and was able to help others through tissue and cornea donation. Artelia says, “Angela was a very generous person throughout her life. In the end, she gave the most precious gift - herself.” Artelia, a Detroit native, is a Gift of Life MOTTEP advocate through the “Angels for Life” program, helping to encourage others to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, primarily in Detroit and Wayne County. Artelia is a general member of the Michigan Donor Family Council.
Michigan Donor Family Council
Michigan Secretary of State’s Shining Star Award, 2014 – The MDFC received the SOS Shining Star Award for its work in promoting organ, tissue and eye donation. The MDFC was recognized for helping to save and heal lives through its various initiatives to support donor families and transplant recipients. For more information on the Secretary of State’s Shining Star Award, please visit https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1640_34786_99140_99152---,00.html
Patty Jo Herndon
United Network for Organ Sharing’s National Donor Memorial Award for Excellence, 2013 – Donor sister and MDFC CEO Patty Jo Herndon received the UNOS National Donor Memorial Award for Excellence for her exceptional efforts in promoting organ, tissue and eye donation in her community. She has shared her sister Ellen’s organ donation story of hope with thousands of others at a variety of events, including hospitals, Secretary of State offices and promotional events throughout Michigan.
