DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital Hero Tree honors life-saving organ donors
Families of those who have donated organs for transplant joined together at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital Sept. 20 to honor their loved ones at an unveiling and dedication of a memorial Hero Tree.
The large, engraved, sculptural memorial is mounted on the lobby atrium wall at the community hospital in Northwest Detroit.
The last name and first name initial of 27 donors are inscribed on life-sized bronze, silver and gold leaves that hang from flowing branches of the memorial tree. Families of the donors agreed to the memorialization before the leaves were inscribed.
9,000 life-saving transplants in 10 years
More than 9,000 Michigan patients have received a life-saving transplant in the past 10 years due to organ donors, according to Gift of Life Michigan, the organization that oversees the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, as well as the organ donation process in the state. One donor can save up to eight lives.
“We are honored to commemorate these donors and the gift of life that they bestowed on others,” DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital CEO Gary Purushotham said.
“And we walk beside their families, who supported these gifts while they grieved and dealt with the loss of their loved ones. We hope that honoring them in this way brings comfort, peace and solace, knowing that they and their selfless action will never be forgotten.”
Strong foundation
The memorial’s tree trunk signifies the hospital support system that holds up the donors and their families, said DMC Trauma Program Specialist Sharon Mckinzie, who helped design the installation and reached out to each of the families of donors from the past five years.
“I cried with many of them,” Mckinzie said. “The memorial is a beautiful way for them to know their loved one lives on, not only in the transplant recipient but also here in the community.”
One leaf on the Tree of Life will share the name of Brandon Punter, 25, who died from a gunshot wound after a road rage incident in 2021. After his sister, a doctor, discussed his injuries and condition with the DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital medical team, his family decided to support organ donation so he could give life to others, said his mom, Lisa Punter, who will be speaking at Saturday’s event.
‘Heroes are amongst that tree’
“When people walk into that hospital lobby and they see that tree, they’re going to know heroes are amongst that tree,” she said. “I just want everyone to know there are so many other lives you can save by being a donor. My son died a hero.”
The ceremony and unveiling will begin at 11 a.m. Sept. 20 and include music, artistic performances and messages from donor families, hospital leaders and members of the community. Representatives from Gift of Life Michigan will also attend and share information.
“It’s important that we recognize the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors and honor the impact they’ve had on countless families,” said Dorrie Dils, president and CEO, Gift of Life Michigan. “DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital has provided a place of reflection and remembrance, ensuring that these selfless individuals are never forgotten and that their legacy of saving and healing lives continues to inspire others.”
Mckinzie said she spends a lot of time in the community, talking to local groups and organizations about organ donation and transplant. She said she spends much of the time dispelling myths that medical teams will stop lifesaving measures if they know someone is an organ donor.
“It’s untrue,” Mckinzie said. “And when I explain to them the level of care their loved ones receive, and that they cannot even be approached until a certain point, many people do not know that. So education certainly is key.”
Special thanks to Detroit Medical Center Communications Manager Tammy Battaglia for contributing this article to SocialHouseNews.com.
