NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
Birmingham resident advocates for organ donation after two heart transplants BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com
BIRMINGHAM — Shortly after graduating from the University of Michigan with his undergrad, Birmingham resident Erik Morganroth woke up and suddenly could not catch his breath. He decided to go to Beaumont Hospital for some tests. Morganroth was declining and they decided to move him to the University of Michigan Hospital. Both sides of his heart were kept pumping through a machine. While he was on life support, he was put in an artificial coma and was woken up every few days to make sure he was not experiencing brain damage. He was on the machine for 34 days, which at the time, was the longest anyone had ever been on it. “They didn’t really think I was going to make it based on how sick I was,” Morganroth said. After over a month on life support, he was able to receive a heart transplant.
FEBRUARY 14, 2024 candgnews.com Oakland County papers
Erik Morganroth, from Birmingham, is a two-time heart transplant recipient. Photo provided by Erik Morganroth
When he returned home, he met his wife, with whom he has two children. About 12 years after his transplant, abnormalities to the structure of the heart were found during an annual checkup. After more evaluation from doctors, he was listed for another heart transplant. However, Morganroth shared how this time around was different. When he first got sick, his parents were the ones making most of the decisions for him. At the time of his second transplant, his parents were deceased and he had a wife and kids. “I had to be positive for my wife and I had to be positive for my children, even though they were very young,” Morganroth said. This time, especially, Morganroth was a very active participant in his own care. “Everybody knew that I wanted more information than most, and I was Googling everything and asking questions and in a polite, respectful way, deSee MORGANROTH on page 6A
MDOT continues I-696 Restore the Reuther project with westbound lanes BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
The $275 million Restore the Reuther project covers $258 million of the project, along with $20.2 million in federal funding and a state funding match of $2.2 million.
SOUTHFIELD — After being delayed multiple times due to winter weather conditions Jan. 12, 16, 22 and 23, the bridge work scheduled for east of Telegraph Road as part of the Restore the Reuther project was rescheduled again late last month. The Michigan Department of Transportation planned to reassess winter conditions and equipment to evaluate whether they could start construction. MDOT announced several lane and ramp closures now through early May: • Northbound M-10, from south of Lahser to
the westbound Interstate 696 entrance ramp. • Westbound I-696, from Lahser to M-10, with two lanes open. • Evergreen Road ramp to westbound I-696. • Lahser Road ramp to westbound I-696. • Northbound Telegraph Road ramp to northbound M-10. Westbound I-696 traffic will be detoured to northbound M-10 and back to westbound I-696. MDOT informed residents that I-696 will have three lanes open in both directions between Interstate 275 and U.S. 24 until the spring. In the spring, See REUTHER on page 6A