West Bloomfield Teen's Death Gives Life to Others

“My Emily has been through too much, don’t let The Gift of Life people come talk to me, the answer is no.”

West Bloomfield resident Alicia Stillman said those words on Feb. 2, 2013, as she sat next to her critically ill 19-year-old daughter Emily. The Kalamazoo College sophomore had been rushed to the hospital complaining of a severe and unbearable headache and was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.

Just days after she was admitted, Emily died. 

Like many parents, Alicia and Michael Stillman sent their daughter off to college ready to learn. They had vaccinated all three of their children against harmful diseases, including meningitis. No one knows how Emily contracted the illness; no one around her displayed symptoms. The strain contracted by Emily is not covered by the U.S. vaccination, but only in Europe.

As the Stillman family began saying their goodbyes to Emily, Alicia quickly realized she had made a horrible mistake. She called The Gift of Life organization representatives into the room to learn what needed to happen in order to donate Emily's organs.

Alicia feels spiritually that Emily gave her a message that day to help others. Emily was a sassy, funny full of life, compassionate daughter, sister and friend, who was the first to help anyone and especially the underdog.

In the six months since Emily's death, life around Alicia and Michael has gotten back to normal, but nothing about their world will ever be the same. The family has been in the process of establishing a fund in Emily’s name to provide support for meningitis research.

“The vaccination should be available to anyone who needs it, not just who can afford it, and research has got to be sped along in this country,” Alicia Stillman said. “If we can help raise awareness, then hopefully no families will endure this pain.”

She has also received training with the National Meningitis Association to speak out on how to get children, teens and adults vaccinated, a mission she now feels is her purpose. Once a private couple, the Stillmans say they want to make others aware of how precious that message is.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Stillman family will, along with hundreds of transplant recipients, donor family members and patients, join in the Donate Life Capitol Celebration in Lansing. One of the very special people standing next to the Stillman family will be Randy Schumacher of Ubly, MI, who received Emily’s kidney.

The Stillman family authorized The Gift of Life organization to let all those who received Emily’s organs know they are interested in making contact, and a special room has been reserved at the Capitol for them to meet Schumacher and any other recipients who attend the event. 

Emily’s heart is beating with a gentleman in Ohio, who will be unable to attend the event, but plans are underway for the family to meet with him later this summer. 

Source: Stillman family press release