Brandon Blog: A Wonderful Gift to Give this Holiday Season

University of Michigan director of athletics Dave Brandon will regularly offer his view on different topics related to U-M and intercollegiate sports. All of his posts, along with links to related content, will be available on his page, mgoblue.com/brandon, and he is also on Twitter at @DaveBrandonAD.

Too many times, we over think what type of gift we need to find for others.

On the last day of football practice in Ann Arbor (Wednesday, Dec. 22) before the Gator Bowl trip, our football team and especially Rich Rodriguez received an honor for helping raise the awareness for a gift of great importance for so many -- the Gift of Life.

This year, the University of Michigan brought home the trophy in the Wolverine-Buckeye Challenge: Gift of Life-Michigan Organ and Tissue Donation Program. Since the beginning of the football season, 79,958 new donors were registered in Michigan, while 57,083 additional donors were registered in Ohio.

Dr. Jeffrey Punch, Director of the University of Michigan Transplant Center and Administrator Anne Murphy were on hand for the early morning practice to present the team and Coach Rodriguez with the award.

Combined with the Michigan-Ohio State Blood Battle, the amount of lives that have been changed and in many cases saved is something that needs to be celebrated.

I am especially proud of the University of Michigan, The Ohio State University and the media forhelping promote these efforts.

During this Holiday Season, when you celebrate, just remember the easiest gift to give is the Gift of Life.

Happy Holidays.

• Gift of Life Michigan: Home Page | Become a Donor
• Coach Rich Rodriguez promotes organ donation and Wolverines for Life