Behind the Headlines

By Charles Slat
An article in The Monroe Sunday News recounts the death of Newport resident Chris Morin and his family’s decision to allow his organs to be harvested to help save the lives of others.
It was a coincidence that I was assigned to cover the Gift of Life memorial golf tournament that Chris’ friends and families organized as a memorial to him.
Organ donation, if not discussed beforehand, can be an anguishing decision for any family, particularly in the case of unexpected death.
It hit home for me two weeks ago when my mother-in-law, Yvonne Schlagheck of Temperance, died of a heart attack at 74. Within hours of her death, organ donor representatives were on the phone to relatives asking about the possibility of organ donation.
Understandably, there was some anguished indecision, but ultimately, Yvonne’s immediate family members decided that bone and tissue could be harvested to make a better life for others.
It’s a decision everyone should consider and one they should make beforehand. Anyone can sign up at any age. Visit www.giftoflifemichigan.org or call 1-800-482-4881.