DETROIT – Families of organ donors are coming together at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, to honor their loved ones at the unveiling and dedication of a memorial Hero Tree.
The engraved sculpture is mounted on the lobby atrium wall of the hospital in Detroit.
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It features life-sized bronze, silver, and gold leaves inscribed with the last name and first initial of 27 donors.
“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.”
The memorial’s tree trunk symbolizes the hospital’s support system that holds up the donors and their families.
One leaf on the Tree of Life honors Brandon Punter, 25, who died from a gunshot wound after a road rage incident in 2021.
His mother said his family chose to support organ donation so he could give life to others.
“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.”
According to Gift of Life Michigan, more than 9,000 Michigan patients have received life-saving transplants in the past decade thanks to organ donors.
One donor can save up to eight lives.