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Southgate man seeks kidney transplant as family launches GoFundMe for travel costs
By Noelle Friel at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 11, 2026
· 2 min read
The family of a Southgate man in need of a kidney transplant has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover travel costs as he works to get back on the transplant list after a medical setback.Michael Watkins, 31, has been fighting kidney disease for more than a year and has been on dialysis sin...
Key takeaway Michael Watkins, 31, has been fighting kidney disease for more than a year and has been on dialysis since his diagnosis.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The Watkins family's efforts to secure a kidney transplant for Michael highlight the challenges faced by many in the Detroit area who are struggling with kidney disease. With over 2,700 people in Michigan waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, the need for living kidney donors is pressing. The fact that Michael Watkins must travel to Toledo for testing and appointments adds an extra layer of complexity to his situation, underscoring the importance of having a strong support system in place. The GoFundMe campaign launched by his family will help alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with his treatment, including frequent trips to Toledo and ongoing dialysis. As the family raises awareness about kidney donation, their story may inspire others in the community to consider becoming living donors, potentially shortening wait times for patients like Michael and improving health outcomes in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The family of a Southgate man in need of a kidney transplant has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover travel costs as he works to get back on the transplant list after a medical setback.Michael Watkins, 31, has been fighting kidney disease for more than a year and has been on dialysis sin...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Noelle Friel at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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