Transplant Community

Camp Michitanki (Michigan Transplant Kids) is a summer camp created by the U-M Health Transplant Center in 2003 to provide an exciting camping experience for children 8-15 years of age who have had an organ transplant at any hospital. Campers spend several days each summer participating in a variety of activities and have the opportunity to develop life skills in a fun residential camp setting.

Transplant nurses, physicians, social workers and other community volunteers work with dedicated camp facility staff to provide a "normal" and medically supervised camping experience. Children are divided by age and gender and assigned into cabin groups for the week. Camp Michitanki is sponsored by the U-M Health Transplant Center.

Camp Michitanki expenses are approximately $80,000 each year, giving transplant recipient children a summer camp experience. Camp Michitanki is funded entirely by donations and proceeds from fundraising events such as golf and bowling events. Everyone is welcome to participate in supporting camp.

The song "Second Chance" was written by Hunter Brucks to provide support for Camp Michitanki. The proceeds from the sale of this song will benefit Camp Michitanki. Hunter Brucks performed this song at the National Donor Recognition Ceremony in Washington, DC on July 22, 2007.

About Hunter Brucks

Hunter Brucks is a singer and songwriter from the tiny town of Maybee in southeast Michigan. In 2006 Mr. Brucks learned about Camp Michitanki, the University of Michigan Health's summer camp for children who have received organ transplants. He was so moved by the gratitude of transplant kids and the generosity of organ donation that he stayed up all night long writing a truly inspired song entitled "Second Chance." It is such an incredible message of thanks and hope, that it has captured the attention of everyone who has heard it. In the summer of 2007, the song was released to the public in cooperation with a dozen national and international organizations, allowing the wider community to hear its wonderful message of thanks to organ donors for giving others a second chance at life.

Vita Redita means "Life Restored" and is the name of our annual gala dinner and auction held each autumn at the Jack Roth Stadium Club at Michigan Stadium. All proceeds benefit the U-M Health Transplant Center and our programs including research and educational outreach, the patient emergency fund and Camp Michitanki.

For more information about the Vita Redita and other Transplant Center events visit our Transplant Center Events Facebook page or contact Julia Zaher at 734-232-0594.