Michael Gahagan was the Vice President of Emily’s Gift. He was also a founding member of TRIO-Maryland and served on its board of directors. Michael was diagnosed with end stage renal disease and for the next several years was on peritoneal dialysis. In July 1998, Michael’s wife, Christa, selflessly gave him the gift of life. For the next 8 years, Michael led a very healthy life with Christa and their two sons, Sean and Michael. Unfortunately, due to medication side effects, Michael’s kidney began to fail. In February 2005, Michael’s brother, Sean C. Gahagan, generously donated his kidney and Michael was transplanted again. After that, Michael and Christa had been very active in the transplant community volunteering for the Living Legacy Foundation and Donate Life Maryland. Unfortunately, while on the waiting list once again for a third kidney to become available for transplant, Michael passed away on October 9th, 2017.

Michael and Christa were members of Team Maryland and participated in the last five Transplant Games of America. They hoped to participate in the 2018 Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Michael and Christa had been married for 36 years. After more than 45 years working in the nonprofit arena for the March of Dimes, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and for the last 20 years with Emerge, Inc., an organization working with people with disabilities, Michael retired in February 2015. He enjoyed traveling, golf and spending time with his family and friends.