Donate Life in the D rally Sept. 14

(WJBK) - The inaugural Donate Life in the D rally  is coming up this week, and gathers hundreds to highlight the need and the importance for organ, tissue and cornea donations.

The rally is on September 14 at Campus Martius Park from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The free event will thank those who have selflessly given gifts of life, celebrate the lives they've saved and lend hope to those who continue to wait. It will bring together transplant recipients, donor family members and donation organizations, transplant centers and the government, non-profit and business sectors. The public is encouraged to attend.

Among the speakers: 18-year-old Dayja Foster, who was diagnosed with kidney failure when she was 16. Dialysis kept her going but robbed Dayja of her time as a teenager. Last year, a complete stranger saved her life, and she received a new kidney at Children's Hospital of Michigan.

She also joined us in studio to tell us her story, which you can hear by watching the video player above in this story.

Anyone can join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, regardless of age or health history. Go to DonateLifeintheD.org, visit Gift ofLifeMichigan.org or call (866) 500-5801.