Transplant Events and Support Programs

For more information about any of these programs, call the Transplant Specialty Center at 313-343-3047.

St. John Transplant Specialty Center Education Program

This program is available for all potential kidney transplant patients to learn more about what is involved in kidney transplantation. From getting on the wait list, to surgery and post-surgery follow-up, this comprehensive program helps kidney patients and their family members to become better informed about kidney transplant.

St. John Transplant Support Group

The Transplant Support Group is available to recipients and their family members. Members of the Transplant Support Group include people who:

• are interested in learning more about transplantation
• are on the kidney wait list
• have received a transplant

Transplant Support Group Events and Meeting Schedule 

St. John Peer Resource Consultant

For those considering transplantation at St. John Transplant Specialty Center, the hospital offers the services of a Peer Counselor/Consultant. Peer Resource Consultants are trained by the National Kidney Foundation to provide this service. Because of their own personal experience with transplant, Peer Consultants can provide a unique perspective to prospective transplant recipients. To find out more about this program, contact the St. John Transplant Specialty Center.

Organ Donor Awareness Week

Held the third week in April, this nationally recognized week focuses on the importance of organ and tissue donation and the need to share your decision to become an organ donor with family members. Activities are held throughout the week at St. John Hospital and Medical Center to increase awareness of the need for organ donation

Transplant Games

To participate you must have a functioning transplant of at least six months and get a signed physical exam form from your physician.  For more information you can go to the Transplant Games website at www.transplantgames.org or you may contact the Michigan Team Manager, Karen Baker, at (734) 222-9800 or teammi2004@yahoo.com.

Donor Memorial Service

At St. John Hospital and Medical Center, an annual service is dedicated to honoring the cadaver donors and their families for their generous “gift of life.” This meeting is open to those who have been touched by the experience of donating a loved one’s organs and/or tissue, as well as transplant recipients and friends. A representative from the Transplantation Society of Michigan, donor family members, support group members and clergy from St. John Hospital, all participate in this service. In addition, recipients are given an opportunity to express their feelings of gratitude. The 2008 Donor Memorial Services will be held March 12.

Living Donor Recognition Ceremony

Living donors — those who donate a kidney to a loved one — are the heroes of our program. At this ceremony, living donor transplant recipients and their donors are given an opportunity to share their experiences and their thanks for the “gift of life.”

For specific dates and times or more information about these events, contact the
St. John Transplant Specialty Center at (313) 343-3047 or e-mail us.