Gift of Life applauds Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and all SOS workers for their efforts in helping build the burgeoning registry last year. In April, Johnson announced a new policy to encourage workers at branch offices to ask customers if they would like to join the registry - a first in Michigan.

    That policy change lead to double-digit increases in the donor registry in every month through the rest of the year.

     "We can't thank Secretary Johnson enough for recognizing a small change that could potentially save lives," said Richard Pietroski, Gift of Life's CEO. "She has given new hope to thousands of critically ill patients."

     The growth of the registry is critical to helping save the lives of the 3,000 people waiting today for organ transplants.

     One of those waiting for a transplant is Jai’Wan Davis-Harbour, 11, of Taylor.

     “My son Jai’Wan desperately needs a kidney to survive and live a normal life without dialysis. What Secretary Johnson has done gives us hope that the phone call we’re waiting for will finally come,” said his mom, Cherisse Davis-Harbour.