Kerry Hutchins, Waiting for a Transplant, Sparta, Michigan, 1977 - 2010

Hutchins, who has cystic fibrosis, has been on the transplant list for three years. She's been hospitalized at the University of Michigan Health Systems since April, when a helicopter brought her there from Spectrum Health Butterworth in Grand Rapids, her lungs chronically clogged with mucus brought on by her disease.
"She has struggled for the last couple weeks," her dad, George Roby, said Wednesday. "Her medical team decided she's no longer strong enough to take a transplant.

"I'm in denial," says Roby, of Cascade Township, his voice catching. "Now they're going to make her as comfortable as possible and try to let her die with dignity." Roby says the family is working to get Hutchins' brother, Lee, here from Montana. "She wants to see him while she's still alive," Roby says, "instead of him just seeing her at the funeral."

The family is struggling with the news, Roby says, but taking comfort that by Hutchins sharing her story, and putting a face to the issue of organ donation, more people may have signed up to be organ donors.
"I'm sad," Roby says, "but if she passes, at least she's left a legacy."

Michigan ranks 42nd nationwide in the percentage of registered drivers who have officially expressed their wish to be organ, eye and tissue donors. Many residents are not aware it isn't enough anymore just to sign the back of their driver's license or state ID. You have to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry by going online or visiting a Secretary of State office.

"I told her I'm sorry there won't be a transplant," Roby says of his daughter. "And she said, 'Oh, there'll be a transplant.'" Roby has to pause. "But she means the other way -- she'll be giving her organs." Hutchins is a registered organ donor.

"She's an angel," her dad says.