Members
Transplant Recipients (Organ/Tissue)
Abelito Bustillo
Residence: Brighton
Transplant: Heart (Jan 2023)
Hospital: University of Michigan Health Ann Arbor
Joined Team: 2024
Events: Cycling
Andrew Butler
Residence: Hudsonville
Transplant: Double Lung (Mar 3,2020)
Hospital: University of Michigan
Joined Team: 2023
Events:
Marge Del Greco
Residence: West Bloomfield
Transplant: Liver (July 2004 & Sept 2009)
Hospital: Henry Ford Hospital
Joined Team: 2006
Events: Team Manager
Robert Fryer
Residence: Riverview
Transplant: Kidney (April 2013)
Hospital: Royal Oak Beaumont
Joined Team: 2014
Events: Bowling, Pickleball, Poker, Ping pong, Basketball
Holly Werlein-Gary
Residence: Grand Rapids
Transplant: Liver (2006)
Hospital: Cleveland Clinic
Joined Team: 2008
Events: Swimming, Track and Field, Volleyball, Cornhole
Tracy Gary
Residence: Grand Rapids
Transplant: Heart (2018)
Hospital: Spectrum (Corewell) Health
Joined Team: 2020
Events: Volleyball, Cornhole
Nicholas Giannamore
Residence: Farmington Hills
Transplant: Kidney (Mar 16, 1992 & Aug 25, 2018)
Hospital: Children's Hospital, Detroit & Harper Hospital, Detroit
Joined Team: 1994
Events: Cycling, Tennis, Basketball
Deb Gustafson
Residence:
Transplant: Kidney (Aug 2018)
Hospital: Henry Ford Hospital
Joined Team: 2024
Events: 5K Walk
Oliver Hale (Chef O)
Residence: Grand Rapids
Transplant: Kidney (1985 & 2012)
Hospital: Medical College, Toledo & Trinity Health, Grand Rapids
Joined Team: 1990
Events: Track & Field, Tennis (single, doubles. Mix-doubles), Pickleball, Cornhole, Fencing, Bowling
Joyce Jensen
Residence: Byron Center
Transplant: Double Lung (Oct 10,2014)
Hospital: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Joined Team: 2018
Events: 5K Walk, Pickleball, Cornhole
Chris Kowalski
Residence: Grandville
Transplant: Heart (2016 & 2024)
Hospital: Corewell Health
Joined Team: 2017
Events: Basketball, Cornhole
Doris Landry-Kruse
Residence: Highland
Transplant: (Dec 18, 2017)
Hospital: Henry Ford
Joined Team:
Events: 5K
Ernie May
Residence: Allendale
Transplant: Kidney (1994)
Hospital: Saint Mary’s Grand Rapids
Joined Team: 1998
Events: Track
Robert Melaragni
Residence: Macomb
Transplant: Liver (Nov 13, 2002)
Hospital: University of Michigan
Joined Team: 2012
Events: Swimming, Basketball, Track N Field
Roy Menken
Residence: West Bloomfield
Transplant: Double Lung (May 24, 2017)
Hospital: University of Michigan
Joined Team:
Events: Bowling, Poker, Cornhole
Kristen Mutrynowski
Residence: Royal Oak
Transplant: Kidney (2014)
Hospital: Henry Ford
Joined Team: 2016
Events: Basketball, Bowling, Texas hold 'em
Fred Nelis
Residence: Holland
Transplant: Heart (June 18, 2014)
Hospital: Spectrum (Corewell) Health
Joined Team: 2016
Events: Swimming
Jean Nelis
Residence: Holland
Transplant: Kidney (Jan 1, 2021)
Hospital: St. Mary's Hospital (Trinity Health)
Joined Team: 2016
Events: Swimming
Denise Noto
Residence: Grands Rapids
Transplant: Heart (Jan 2023)
Hospital: Corewell Health Downtown
Joined Team: 2024
Events: 5K Run/Walk, Poker, Bowling Singles, Bowling Doubles
Jim Ogg
Residence: Clare
Transplant: Heart (2008)
Hospital: University of Michigan
Joined Team:
Events: Track
Teresa Price
Residence: Holland
Transplant: Liver (Nov 27, 1990)
Hospital: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Joined Team: 1996
Events: Golf, Bowling, Swimming, Ball Throw
Jenn Serra
Residence: Detroit
Transplant: Bone (Sept 23,2023)
Hospital: Dr. Zuroff, Endodontist
Joined Team: 2012
Events: Swimming, Bowling, Darts, Trivia
Mustafa Sharafi
Residence:
Transplant: Liver (1985)
Hospital:
Joined Team: 2014
Events: Basketball
Julie Sitek
Residence: Livonia
Transplant: Heart (Feb 7, 2017)
Hospital: University of Michigan
Joined Team: 2019
Events:
Jillian Smith
Residence: Saginaw
Transplant: Pancreas (Nov 26, 2023)
Hospital: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Joined Team: 2024
Events: Singing, Swimming, 5K
Mike Smith
Residence: Highland
Transplant: Kidney (Dec 17, 2008)
Hospital: William Beaumont Hospital
Joined Team: 2010
Events: Swimming, Basketball, Volleyball Biking
Anne Somerville Stella
Residence: Farmington Hills
Transplant: Kidney (July 1, 2023)
Hospital: University of Michigan
Joined Team: 2010
Events: 5K Walk, Cornhole, Trivia
Martha Stella-Franchina
Residence: Livonia
Transplant: Kidney (Oct 15, 2009 & March 2, 2022)
Hospital: University of Wisconsin, Madison & Henry Ford Health
Joined Team: 2010
Events: Golf, Volleyball, Trivia, 5K
Kurt Weichert
Residence: Livonia
Transplant: Kidney (Nov 1996)
Hospital: Detroit Medical Center
Joined Team: 1998
Events: Bowling
Michelle Workman
Residence: Muskegon
Transplant: Kidney
Hospital: Children's Memorial Hospital of Chicago
Joined Team: 2006
Events: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, Trivia, Bowling
Linda Zukowski
Residence: Livonia
Transplant: Kidney (March 25, 2015)
Hospital: University of Michigan
Joined Team: 2016
Events:
Living Donors
Karen Morand
Residence: Northville
Recipient: friend
Hospital: Henry Ford
Joined Team: 2022
Events: Triathlon, Swim, Bike, Run
Ralph Mutrynowski
Residence: Rochester Hills
Recipient: Daughter - Kristen Mutrynowski, Kidney
Hospital: Henry Ford, Detroit
Joined Team: 2015
Events: Texas Hold’em Poker, Track & Field, Pickleball, Cornhole, Bowling, World Transplant Games
Jeff Sieber
Residence: West Bloomfield
Recipient: Linda Zukowski, Kidney
Hospital: University of Michigan
Joined Team: 2016
Events:
Amy Smith
Residence: Highland
Recipient: Mike Smith(Husband), Kidney
Hospital: William Beaumont Hospital
Joined Team: 2010
Events:
Donor Families
Amanda Garza
Residence: Muskegon
Donor: Nathanael Aaron Garza(Son) - (4/28/1999-10/19/2019)
Joined Team: 2022
Events: Trivia
Patty Jo and Walt Herndon
Residence: Plymouth
Donor: Sister and Aunt
Joined Team:
Events:
Wendy Jane Smith
Residence:
Donor: Cody Clay Baron(Son) - (2/28/1992-3/31/2016)
Joined Team: 2024
Events: Awarded Most Volunteer hours at 2024 Games
Supporters
Nikki Becerra
Connection to Donation Community: My sister was a registered organ donor,
but because of health issues, she exclusively donated her corneas in Sept 2024. I also work at Gift of Life Michigan.
Residence: Allen Park
Joined Team: 2024
Carole Erickson
Connection to Donation Community: My daughter, Joyce Jensen had a double lung transplant in 2014.
Residence: Paw Paw
Joined Team: 2018
Eric Jensen
Connection to Donation Community: My mom, Joyce had a double lung transplant in 2014. I have helped coach the Basketball team.
Residence: Byron Center
Joined Team: 2018
Greg Jensen
Connection to Donation Community: My wife, Joyce had a double lung transplant in 2014. I have helped coach the Basketball team and the Volleyball team.
Residence: Byron Center
Joined Team: 2018
Patsy May
Connection to Donation Community: My husband, Ernie had a kidney transplant in 1994.
Residence: Allendale
Joined Team: 1998
Anne and Guy Melaragni
Connection to Donation Community: My son received a liver transplant in 2002. We love attending the games and supporting Robert and all of his teammates!
Residence: Macomb Township
Joined Team: 2012
Joan Mutrynowski
Connection to Donation Community: My husband Ralph donated a kidney to our daughter Kristen Mutrynowski in 2014.
Residence: Rochester Hills
Joined Team: 2015
Amy Nault
Connection to Donation Community: Transplant Assistant at St. John Hospital
Residence: Clinton Township
Joined Team: 2000
Cathy and Mark Warren
Connection to Donation Community: Cathy has worked for Donate Life Coalition of Michigan since 2003.
Residence: Commerce Township
Joined Team: 2022
Lynn Weichert
Connection to Donation Community: My husband Kurt received a kidney transplant in 1996.
Residence: Livonia
Joined Team: 1998
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