2015, Issue 1 - NJ Sharing Network

SPRING 2015
VOLUME 6
•
ISSUE 1
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F
NJ SHARING NETWORK
Transformed
Through Giving
THE NEVER-ENDING STORY:
Life, Legacy and Generosity
I was given the opportunity to return to Pasadena, CA,
to help build the Donate Life Float at this year’s Rose Parade.
It was a special time for me to be with six NJ Sharing
Network families.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Vito Pulito
Chair
Bruce I. Goldstein, Esq.
Vice Chair
Howard A. Nelson
Treasurer
Marc H. Lory
Secretary
Patrick M. Buddle, MD
Bonnie Evans
Edward J. Florio, Esq.
Michael P. Hedden
Anthony L. Marchetta
Timothy J. Touhey
Charles G. Walker
ADVISORY BOARD
Mark J. Zucker, MD
Chair
It was my second consecutive year at the parade, so I had
the esteemed role of serving as group photographer. It
ended up being a superb opportunity to capture the faces of
these families as they built the float, attended many of the
parade-related events, and met families from across the
country who also know the tremendous miracle of organ and tissue donation.
There were smiles; there were tears. And I don’t think any of the participants would have missed
such an opportunity to honor their loved ones. The NJ Sharing Network Foundation was proud to
sponsor two families for the trip; the others received support from Bridge to Life Ltd., Dignity
Memorial® New Jersey, Dignity Memorial® New York and One Legacy.
Such an inspiring event was the perfect way to begin 2015. It helped me prioritize what is truly
important for NJ Sharing Network, and what we focus on throughout the year. Of course, reducing
the number of people on the state’s waiting list for life-saving organs and tissue is always the top
priority.
This year is also about building more connections and “Transforming Lives,” the theme of this
issue. Our efforts are not just about meeting more people and shaking more hands. This is the year
in which we create deeper, lasting relationships with our hospital partners, our volunteers and
the communities in which we live and serve. They are the backbone of this organization, and make
such a difference in the lives of people. NJ Sharing Network is successful because of the connections
we cultivate that last for a lifetime.
Loretta Aigner, RN
Gail Clegg
Roseann DiBrienza, MS, RN
Stuart R. Geffner, MD
Michael Gould, MD
Sarah E. Jensen, Esq.
David A. Laskow, MD
James Lim, MD
Debra L. Morgan, MSW, LCSW
Shamkant Mulgaonkar, MD
Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN
Ty J. Olson, MD
John S. Radomski, MD, FACS
Prakash Rao, PhD, MBA, FACHE, HCLD
Bruce Stroever
Harry Sun, MD
Dorian J. Wilson, MD
EDITORIAL TEAM
Mara Barlow
One of those connections is the Mercado family of Paterson, who traveled with us to
Pasadena to honor their six-week-old infant, Melissa, an organ donor who saved two lives. They
have become vital ambassadors in their community, educating their neighbors about the importance
of registering to become organ and tissue donors.
We also tell the special story of Carolina Gutierrez, who delivered a baby boy she knew was
going to die. Determined to find some good in such tragedy, she ensured that the infant’s organs
were donated to further medical science. Although her baby, named Lionel, was here for just 27
minutes, he made a defining impact.
We work with many families to increase awareness about organ and tissue donation. To learn
more, families, volunteers, doctors, nurses hospital administrators and many others committed to
our mission will attend our Symposium on Organ and Tissue Donation, to be held Nov. 14, 2015.
The day will be about how you play a critical role in saving and enhancing lives.
In closing, allow me to congratulate Elisse Glennon on her new position as our Vice President
and Chief Administrative Officer. Elisse will continue to
serve as Executive Director of the NJ Sharing Network
Foundation.
Thank you for all you do to help transform lives in
New Jersey.
Assistant Director, Marketing and Communications
NJ Sharing Network
Jan C. Hines
Manager of Hospital Services
NJ Sharing Network
Co-Produced by Jaffe Communications
& Campbell Health Media
Special Thanks to Our Contributors:
Jeanne Blanchard
David O’Hara
Alberta D’Addio
John Valentine
Alyssa D’Addio
Carolyn Welsh
Comments to editor@njsharingnetwork.org
2
SUMMER 2013
Joseph S. Roth
President and Chief Executive Officer
On the Cover: Angel David points to a picture of his sister Melissa on the Quilt of Love while his father, Angel, looks on.
Melissa gave the gift of life at the age of six weeks. Inset: Katty and Angel Mercado at the Rose Parade.
Above Right: Joe Roth places a dedication rose on the 2015 Rose Parade float.
FOUNDATION BOARD
Peter Rooney, Chair
I have so much to share with you about our mission to
save lives.
I am pleased to announce our Symposium on Organ &
Tissue Donation this Fall. The educational event will bring
together the talents of so many people involved in organ
and tissue donation — doctors, nurses, faith-based leaders,
volunteers, donor families, recipients, funeral directors and
others. Health professionals will have the opportunity to earn
Continuing Education credits as they learn more about the
miracle of donation. I encourage you all to consider attending
this important event on November 14, 2015, at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin, NJ.
And I am sure you know that our annual 5K continues to grow and evolve. We have changed
the name to better reflect what it’s all about: a Celebration of Life. This year, two events will be part
of our 5th Annual 5K Celebration of Life, chaired by Dan Sarnowski, a Foundation board member
and member of Team Betsy’s Dash. For the first time, we will have a 5K Walk in Paramus, Sunday,
April 12, at Bergen Community College, and the Annual 5K Walk and USATF Certified Race will be
Sunday, June 7, at our headquarters in New Providence. These wonderful events bring together
friends and families — from babies to grandparents — to honor the legacy of donors, celebrate the
second chance of life for recipients and give hope to those waiting for the gift of life. So many of the
lives of the families involved in our 5K have been transformed through giving.
Please let me also take this opportunity to welcome three new members to the Foundation
board:
Michele Dabal, a liver recipient, mother of two from Mendham and a business owner, is a
long-time volunteer for NJ Sharing Network. Michele views her volunteer work as a way to honor
her donor and give thanks for her second chance at life. Also joining us is Laura Coti Garrett, a
registered dietitian and a diabetes educator with more than 25 years of experience. She works to
help people improve their health and specializes in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. She is
the founder of Realtime Nutrition, a business that provides health professionals as resources to
companies. And a third new member is Bhavna Tailor, President of Operations at Eastwick
College. She said that volunteering with the NJ Sharing Network Foundation complements her
work at the college, where many students pursuing degrees in health care learn about organ and
tissue donation.
And I would like to recognize Alberta D’Addio for her years of service on our Foundation board.
Alberta’s husband, Joe, gave the gift of life in 2009. Ever since, the D’Addio family has been among
our most active supporters. Alberta is leaving the Foundation board, but we will continue to work
closely with her as she leads the Joseph D’Addio Family Fund, which supports our work at NJ Sharing
Network. She also still sits on many committees, supports our philanthropic efforts and serves as an
office volunteer, which keeps her connected to our mission.
Riley’s Dance, the first family fund at the Foundation, was created to honor the legacy of Riley
Kogen, a kind-hearted little girl who gave the gift of life at the age of five. Riley’s legacy will live on
as the fund provides financial support to those waiting for transplants, or those who received
transplants, who desperately need help during this stressful time in their lives.
Finally, let me thank each one of you for the special talents and gifts that you bring to support the
NJ Sharing Network Foundation and all the lives you touch advocating for organ and tissue donation.
Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide
Resident of Mendham
Marla Bace, Vice Chair
Resident of Berkeley Heights
Philip S. Kolm, Treasurer
Resident of Fort Lee
Randi Geffner, Secretary
Resident of Livingston
Cheryl H. Cohen, MBA, FHFMA
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
Resident of Chesterfield
Michele Dabal
Resident of Mendham
J.D. de León
Resident of Jersey City
Lenore C. Ford
Resident of Morristown
Laura Coti Garrett, MS, RD
Realtime Nutrition, Inc.
Resident of Morristown
Honorable F. Michael Giles
Resident of West Orange
Derlys M. Gutierrez, Esq.
Adams Stern Gutierrez & Lattiboudere, LLC
Resident of Montclair
Thomas Ludlum, Esq.
City of Paterson Law Department
Ludlum Law Offices
Resident of Glen Rock
Lisa J. Meyers
Resident of Summit
Yvonne Payne
Resident of Teaneck
Anthony E. Pizzutillo
Smith Pizzutillo LLC
Resident of Lawrenceville
Suzann Rizzo
Investors Bank
Resident of Staten Island, NY
Dan Sarnowski
Resident of Cutchogue, NY
Bernard Simon
Resident of Edison
Bhavna Tailor
Resident of Nutley
Ex-Officio Members:
Joseph S. Roth
President and CEO
NJ Sharing Network
Barry Newman
Chief Financial Officer
NJ Sharing Network
Elisse E. Glennon
Executive Director
NJ Sharing Network Foundation
Elisse E. Glennon
VP & Chief Administrative Officer
Executive Director, Foundation
Michele Dabal
Laura Coti Garrett
Bhavna Tailor
www.NJSharingNetwork.org
3
news
SHARING
NJ Sharing Network Hospital Partner Wins National
Recognition for Increasing Donor Enrollment
Hackensack University Medical Center,
working closely with NJ Sharing Network in a
united mission to save lives through organ and
tissue donation, is the first hospital nationwide
to be recognized by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) as reaching
the “Phase IV Gold” level of achievement.
The recognition marks the hospital’s
impressive efforts to conduct activities
promoting enrollment in the New Jersey state
organ donor registry.
Hackensack University Medical Center is
one of 1,342 hospitals and transplant centers
participating in a national hospital campaign,
sponsored by HHS’s Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA), which has
added 327,815 donor enrollments to state
registries nationwide since 2011, exceeding the
original goal of 300,000.
This campaign is a special effort of HRSA’s
Workplace Partnership for Life to mobilize
the nation’s hospitals to increase the number
of people in the country who are registered
organ and tissue donors. The campaign
unites donation advocates at hospitals with
representatives from their organ procurement
organizations, like NJ Sharing Network. Donate
Life America affiliates, and state and regional
hospital associations. Working together, the
teams leverage their communications resources
and outreach efforts to most effectively spread
word of the critical need for donors.
The hospital, supported by NJ Sharing
Network professionals, conducted awareness
and registry campaigns to educate staff,
patients, visitors and community members on
the critical need for organ and tissue donors
and, by doing so, increased the number of
potential donors on the state’s donor registry.
The hospital
earned points
for each activity
implemented
between August
2014 and January 2015
and was the first to be awarded “gold”
recognition in the fourth phase of the
Workplace Partnership for Life Hospital
Campaign, which continues through April 30.
“The nurses, doctors, executives and all of
the staff members at Hackensack University
Medical Center have shown their tremendous
support for the life-saving mission of organ and
tissue donation. We are proud to work beside
them and educate more people about the
critical need for organs,” said Joe Roth,
President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network.
“We believe these efforts will translate into
more life-saving organs for the nearly 5,000
people in our state waiting for the gift of life.”
Inside This Issue…
Sharing News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Honoring the Gift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Baby Lionel’s Gift Makes History . . . .9
Landscape of Life Tribute Wall . . . .10
Baby Melissa Transformed Lives . . .12
Six Families Recount
Rose Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Stories from the Rose Parade . . . . .16
Social Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Tribute to 2014 Organ
and Tissue Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
A Day in the Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
4
SPRING 2015
“The walk and the experiences of the day have been a real blessing to me. Grief changes every day but for the past
week I have had a feeling that the world is a much bigger place, and that there are so many people who have their own
inspirational stories. Thank you for helping us change the sadness of the loss of our son into good memories of his
willigness to help others.”
— Mary Louise Fessel, Team Fes
Our Website Gets a Makeover
Our website is an important
way for us to communicate
with our supporters and also
reach members of the community interested in learning
more about organ and tissue
donation. After months of
coordination and construction,
NJ Sharing Network is pleased
to unveil its new look at
www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
The updated design offers
dual navigation, in which visitors
can access information based on
their specific connections to
NJ Sharing Network. Donor
families, for example, can have
easier access to information relevant to them, while students,
educators and other visitors
can navigate the site in ways
more specific to their interests.
And, in the age of smartphones and tablets,
this enhanced design is easily accessible and
looks great from whatever device visitors are
using.
Also, to reach even more people in more
communities, we have created a Spanishlanguage section that helps engage our
Spanish-speaking community.
We believe our refreshed website will be a
trustworthy resource for all who are interested
in learning more about organ and tissue
donation, joining the registry or supporting
our programs.
Many thanks to the NJ Sharing Network
staff and volunteers who collaborated with us
for this exciting makeover!
Come check us out! If you are
looking for something you can’t
find, please let us know at
editor@njsharingnetwork.org.
Application Available for
2015-2016 Scholarship
The NJ Sharing Network Foundation is
pleased to announce the availability of one
NJ Sharing Network Foundation Scholarship
in the amount of $4,000 ($2,000 per semester) for the 2015-2016 academic year. The
scholarship awardee must be an awareness
advocate who is personally affected by donation; is a family member of someone who
has been personally affected, such as a donor
family, living donor or transplant recipient;
or is waiting for a transplant.
The NJ Sharing Network Foundation
supports the work of NJ Sharing Network to
increase the number of lives saved through
education, research and public awareness
about the life-saving benefits of transplantation. The scholarship is awarded to honor
those who gave, to pay tribute to those who
received, to offer hope to those who continue
to wait, and to remember the lives lost while
waiting… for the gift of life.
Applications must be submitted and
postmarked by Friday, May 22, 2015. For an
application visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
For questions, please contact scholarship@
njsharingnetwork.org.
www.NJSharingNetwork.org
5
news
SHARING
April is Donate Life Month How Can You Make A Difference?
YOU Can Share the Life-Saving Message
Join us at our 5th Annual 5K Celebration of Life!
✓Volunteer
■
✓Create a team
■
✓Come celebrate with us on April 12th at Bergen Community
■
College in Paramus, and on June 7th at our Headquarters
in New Providence, for a fun-filled celebration including
music, snacks, prizes and activities for all ages.
In Your Town:
✓Post Donate Life or 5K Flyers in store windows.
■
✓Wrap green ribbon around trees throughout
■
your community.
✓If you have been personally impacted through donation
■
contact your local paper and share your story.
On the Web:
✓Include an organ and tissue donor registry link to
■
www.NJSharingNetwork.org on your Facebook page
during National Donate Life Month in April and beyond.
✓Share on your personal Facebook and/or Twitter account
■
that it is National Donate Life Month, and include the link
www.NJSharingNetwork.org for followers to register as
organ and tissue donors.
Above, NJ Sharing Network
supporters share photos
depicting their blue
and green spirit for the
DLM photo contest.
✓Like us on Facebook.com/NJSharingNetwork and
■
follow us on Twitter @NJSharing and on Instagram
@NJSharingNetwork.
In your workplace:
✓Does your organization have a workplace newsletter?
■
If so, share your story with your coworkers.
✓Invite NJSN to speak to your coworkers at a lunch & learn.
■
✓Set up a table with donor registration information for a
■
day in April or for the entire month.
✓Wear blue and green, and ask us for festive blue and green
■
leis and pom poms.
✓Submit photos for our DLM photo contest.
■
6
SPRING 2015
NJ Sharing Network can support your efforts. Educational
materials and items are available from John Keating, at
jkeating@njsharingnetwork.org or 908-516-5431. NJ Sharing
Network also can provide speakers for your event. Contact Veronica
Horvath at vhorvath@njsharingnetwork.org or 908-516-5637.
Visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org to download our
Donate Life Month Resource Kit for various resources, sample
proclamations and for more information on how to get involved to
help promote organ and tissue donation in your community!
MARk YOUR CALENDAR!
Several days of recognition have been set aside during the year in
support of organ and tissue donation. These days, along with other
health-related observance days, provide an opportunity for those who
support organ and tissue donation to remind their friends, families,
coworkers and community about the importance of the life-saving
mission of NJ Sharing Network.
APRIL
Donate Life Month
6-12
National
Public Health
Week
12
5K Celebration
of Life
Bergen Community
College, Paramus, NJ
17
7
World Health
Day
16
National
Healthcare
Decisions Day
19-25
National Blue
& Green Day
Medical
Laboratory
Professionals
Week
Some ways people show their support on these days include wearing
a Donate Life pin or blue and green clothing, posting or sharing photos
or testimonials on Facebook, or talking with their loved ones about their
donation wishes.
Consider the ways you can show your support for the life-saving
mission! Check www.NJSharingNetwork.org and our Facebook page
for more information.
MAY
JUNE
6-12
7
National
Nurses Week
19
5K Celebration
of Life
& USATF
Certified Race
NJ Sharing Network
New Providence, NJ
Team Liberty
Golf Outing
Ballyowen Golf Club
Hamburg, NJ
AUGUST
1-7
National Minority Donor
Awareness Week
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
13
National Liver
Awareness
Month
13-15
1
National
Donor Sabbath
Giving Tuesday
5
14
NJ Sharing
Network Cycling
Team Rides at
Gran Fondo
Morris County, NJ
29
World Heart Day
17th Annual
Golf Classic
Baltusrol Golf Club,
Springfield, NJ
Symposium on
Organ & Tissue
Donation
Renaissance Woodbridge
Hotel, Iselin, NJ
www.NJSharingNetwork.org
7
Honoring the Gift
The greatest gift that can be given is the gift of life. Our hospital partners understand the
importance of this gift and honor it in a number of ways throughout the year. Whether they are
coordinating a flag raising or a balloon release to honor organ and tissue donors, or inviting those
touched by donation and transplantation to speak to their staff, New Jersey’s hospitals remain active
in supporting our life-saving mission.
These photos represent some of the ways hospitals continue to support organ and tissue
donation. If you are a hospital employee and would like to learn more about how you can
become involved in our mission, contact Brooke Hartrum at 908-516-5412 or send an email to
hospitalservices@njsharingnetwork.org.
Clara Maass, part of Barnabas Health,
honored the gift of life by lighting their hospital green.
Staff gathering to hear transplant recipient and donor
families testimonials at Morristown Medical Center
Flag-raising ceremony.
A visit to recognize and thank Valley Hospital
for their support of our events.
Donate Life Month hospital event in honor
of those that gave the gift of life.
8
SPRING 2015
Baby Lionel’s Gi Makes History
Although Lionel Asprilla lived for just
27 minutes, he transformed lives.
Lionel was the first newborn in the
United States to donate all his organs for the
advancement of education through research.
His lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas and
small intestine were donated to provide lifesaving education, allowing countless other
infants a chance at a healthy life.
This was made possible through
the groundbreaking advancements of the
International Institute for the Advancement of
Medicine (IIAM), and the generosity of a mother
who knew Lionel’s brief life had a purpose.
Carolina Gutierrez was overjoyed by the
news that she was carrying twins. But the joy
became sorrow when the family learned Lionel
had a serious birth defect known as anencephaly, in which his brain would never develop.
It was at that moment Carolina began
researching whether anything positive could
come of the family’s loss. A miracle came in a
most surprising way.
will and to see
how far I could go
with the pregnancy,”
Carolina said. “God
had given me this
battle. He knows
I am strong.”
Lionel and his
sister, Leah, were
ready to enter the
world on October 16th. Their parents anxiously
awaited their arrival, and NJ Sharing Network’s
dedicated team was there to facilitate the gifts
Lionel would provide.
The staff from NJ Sharing Network spoke
with Carolina and Leonardo about their options
regarding donation. They were there every step
of the way.
After much coordination, the twins were
delivered at 4:51 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Regional
Medical Center in Paterson. Lionel was given
to his mother, who held him tightly as the priest
from the family’s church baptized him. A cousin
“My son is a hero o has
done somhing good for hers.”
By the time the pregnancy reached three
months, Carolina and her fiancé, Leonardo
Asprilla, knew Lionel’s reason for being here —
to provide life through organ and tissue
donation. It was very important that he
continue to grow so his life could somehow
make a lasting impact. They sought out
NJ Sharing Network for guidance.
“My faith played a really big part. We
decided to let God take over, to accept his
took photographs, as family and friends
gathered around, hugging each other and
saying goodbye.
“After 27 precious minutes, his heart
stopped,” said Carolina, in a whisper. “I got to
see him. I got to kiss him. I got to see his last
breath.”
After the recovery was completed by
NJ Sharing Network’s surgical team, Lionel was
returned to his family for final
goodbyes. More photos were
taken, see above and left, and
more tears and hugs ensued. He
was laid to rest on October 27 at
Calvary Cemetery in Paterson.
NJ Sharing Network was
able to provide his precious
organs and tissue for research,
making a connection through
IIAM, a nonprofit that assists
in placing organ and tissue
donations with medical and
scientific researchers. This was the first time so
many organs had been recovered for research
from an infant.
IIAM, based in Maryland, has a neonatal
donation program designed to serve families
facing infant loss. The nonprofit works with
researchers studying neonatal hearts, livers,
lungs and pancreases. For more information on
IIAM, please visit www.iiam.org.
Jeremy Brown, regional director for IIAM,
said the organization is able to use organs and
tissue for research.
Lionel’s short life is changing the path of
history by aiding in a study through a Food
and Drug Administration project to develop
medication for pregnant women who have a
cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. CMV can
cause birth defects in early development.
IIAM said early results of the testing have
been very positive.
Carolina said she feels at peace with her
decision to donate her baby’s organs and tissue.
“My son is a hero who has done something
good for others.” She noted his twin sister is
doing well.
Paula A. Gutierrez, Hospital Services
Manager for NJ Sharing Network, said this is an
important story to tell, noting Paterson is a
diverse community where many people have a
misconception of organ and tissue donation.
“Yet, so many of the people on the transplant
waiting list are African-American and Hispanic,”
she said.
Carolina says Lionel’s gift would have
never been possible without NJ Sharing
Network. There is comfort through the grief,
knowing her baby boy was able to accomplish
so much in his short time on Earth.
“I tell my family we have an angel looking
over us,” she said. “And he will always be
with us.”
www.NJSharingNetwork.org
9
TRANSFORMED THRO
We graciously acknowledge contributions made to the NJ Sharing Network Foundation in honor or in memory of the
individuals listed below from January 1 - December 31, 2014. The names denoted with a butterfly or leaf icon represent
gifts in their honor or memory totaling
$10,000 or greater and
$5,000 or greater. These names are proudly
displayed on our Landscape of Life Tribute Wall at NJ Sharing Network Headquarters.
We sincerely regret any errors or omissions.
Mark Abrams
katelyn ”katie” Ackerman
Andrew Ahimovic, Sr.
Adele A. Albanese
Stanley Aleski
Tony Alicia
Jordan Allen
Jack Althoff
Colleen Amaro
keith Amato
Scott W. Andersen
Todd W. Anderson
Tommy C. Anderson
Amy Elizabeth Anderson
Gina Andrade
Enrico Antonelli
Gerardo Ascolese
Mary Ellen Attiya
Edward Aungst
Heather Anne Aurora
Nikhil Badlani
Edith M. Baker-Jackson
Joanne Balint
Georgia G. Bancheri
John E. Bannister
Barbara Barbagallo
Rick Bartlett
Edward Bartol
Lois Baukema
Ron C. Bavagnoli
Woodwerth C. Bein, III
Steve Ben’Ary
Ronald A. Bennett
Eric Berlin
Brian Bernstein
Frances ”Mima” Berry
Richard C. Bertodatti
John Betihavas
Alyssa Bialko
Jillian Nicole Billerman
David Bird
Carol E. Birkhead
John Bischoff
Raymond E. Bladzinski
Sandra Blatt
Ted Blew, Jr.
Aliyah Boatwright
Michael Bocknack
Michelle Bocknack
Robin Bogush
Edward Bond
Angela Bongiovi
Dominick Bongiovi
Martha Bowles
Howard Boyce
Cindy Boyea
Ronald Brandstetter
Jamie Lee Brazina
Brian Brice
Stanley R. Brinster
Nathan F. Brown Sr.
Michael Robert Brown
Michelle Brugger
Samantha Bruno
Daniel S. Buckiewicz
Evelyn Buddle
Anne Bulger
Duane Burlew
Michael Buro
Joseph Buscemi
Monica and Chris Butler
Garrett Buttel
Nancy D. Byran
Malachy Joseph Byrne
Edward William Byron, III
Mildred Caffrey
Evelyn Amanda Caljean
Janice Campbell
Peter L. Campisi
Andres Canela
Ralph Canning
Eric Caposele
Sandra Carbone
Nicole Caruso
Ryan Casper
Gilberto Castro
Nick Cerbo
Leonard Cerefice
Frank Chiorazzi
Benjamin R. Chirls
Arthur ”Sandy” Christiansen
Joseph Ciccone
Eileen Cinquemane
James T. Clarke
Greta Clausen
Sean Patrick Clegg
Walter Cockcroft
Elliott Cohen
Howard Cohen
David William Compton
Carmella Conca
William Patrick Connors
Christopher L. Consiglio
kyle Patrick Conway
Thomas Cooke
Stephen Coopersmith
Arthur J. Corniola
Veronica Coyle
Priscilla Crocken
Catherine Crosbie
Michael k. Cunningham
Alyshia Rae Cunningham
Futchko
Michele Dabal
Joseph V. D’Addio
Savanna Dallessandro
Ronald J. ”Spanky” Davis
Courtney Lynne Dayback
Frank Dayon
J.D. de Leon
Richard Michael DeFilippis
Arthur L. Del Preore
Frank P. Dell’Aquila, MD
James G. Dempsey
Steven Denholtz and
Lisa Maultasch
Bobby and Roni Denholtz
ken Dereshin
June Desimone
Judi Melillo-Dethloff
Victoria Paige DeVivo
Beatriz Diaz
Robbie Dillon
Beverly L. DiMaggio
Maria Livia DiMeo
Romano DiNizo
Michael DiPiano
Joey DiSanto
Gene Doherty
John J. Donovan
Sarah Doshna
Brandon Dowler
Norman A. Doyle, Jr.
Michael Drozd
Jerry Du
Dorothea Duffy
Sondra Eagen
Matthew Edinger
Jerome Eisler
Ryan A. Engelke
Stanley Epstein
Doris Esposito
Barry Faigan
The Morgan/Rhodes Family
Frances N. Farber
Patrick J. Fargnoli
Donnie Farrell
Matthew Fedorochko
Ronald Feldman
Matt Felix
Paula Judith Felmeister
James J. Fessel, Jr.
Michael Storm Fischer
Tim Flavin
Noreen Fleischman
Wyatt Fleming
Thomas Flynn
William Ford
Louise Fox
Franklyn ”Chris” Frawley
katlyn Freeman
Michael A. Frodella
James Gallagher
Amanda L. Gambacorto
Antonio F. Ganhito
Will Ganter
Reinaldo Garcia
Antonio Gasparro
Robin Gentile
Dawn Geoghegan
John D. Gerard, Jr.
BJ Giannone
kevin Gilbert
Dr. Randall Marc Giles
kimberly Githens
Robert Goarcke
Jorge Gonzales
John Gorr
Virginia Gottlieb
Timothy Wayne Grace
Andrea Grace
Michele Grana
kyle Gregory
James Groden
Richard E. Grossman
Nicholas Gulics
David Gurland
Garrett Gurrieri
Debbie Gutenplan
Matilde Gutierrez
Bill Haddon
Brian Hahl
Jacky Hahl-McCurdy
Albert G. Hanania
Daniel Hansen
Ivy Hardy
Stephen Hasbrouck
David Heiblim
Mark Henderson
Mary Higgins
Jane Hillier
Erin Paige Hoer
Jeffrey Hornecker
Richard Horvath
Theresa ”Terri” Howell
Lisa Hulbert
Beverly Hunt
Thomas Hunter
Helen Hunter
Daniel Hussey
Barry Hyman
John C. Iannacone
kayla Ibrahim
Thomas S. Iozia
Jamila Irons Johnson
Joanne Iuliucci
Zoe Jackson
John Januszanis
kyle Jaskot
Robert M. Jaworowicz
Binnie Joffe
Steven Joe
Morgan Johnson
William James Johnson, Sr.
Grace B. Johnson
Andrew Jova
Sham karnani
Rudy kelly
Brian kern
Jay khare
Paul kieltyka
Alice king
The Landscape of Life Tribute Wall, which was expanded in November 2014,
was created as a special place to honor organ and tissue donors, transplant recipients,
community members and also acknowledge contributions made in their honor.
10
SPRING 2015
Giving
OUGH…
Daniel J klein
Matthew klemchalk
Valerie Monroe kloss
Stephanie knaub Lake
Matthew James koch
Andrew koflanovich
Riley kogen
Richard kokinda
Christopher kolb
Brian koller
Elliott kominsky
Howard korn
David kornas
James Joseph kozo, III
Sammie kane kraft
Susan krakowiecki
Alice kramer
Ben kuhmichel
Marvin kurland
Jonathon kuzminski
Evan Charles Laible
Fernando Lalama
Rebecca ”Becky” Larsen
Holly Beth Larsen
Roy Larsen
kevin Latham
Dave Lenz
Frank Leone
Curtiss Ling
Anthony Lisanti
Larry Liskovec
Victoria Longo
Lisa Luciano
kimberly M. Ludwig
Ena Lue
Jackie Lue Raia
Brian Lynch
Gerard Lynch
Robert Lynch, Sr.
Scott M. Lysenko
Hugh MacDonald, Jr.
kevin MacDonald
katherine Mack
John Thomas Macklin
Michael Joseph Mangarella
Dr. Michael D. Markowitz
Antonio Marrufo
Judith Martin
Michael J. Martorella
Louis Massetti
Michael McAllister
Wayne McCormack
Stanley McGinley
keith McLaughlin
Devin McQueen
Mike Meehan
Sherryl Meier Smith
Edward Meola
Melissa Bena Mercado
Michael ”Mick” Meritz
Sarah J. Meyers
Maddie Midwinter
Sadie Mignott
kellye Miller
Marisa Miller
Gina Mingrone
Mathew Misdom
Hudson Savanna Mitchell
Edwin T. Mixtacki
Jahan Mladnick
Joyce Mokrzycki
Suzanne Thomson Monohan
Maryann Montano
Jillian Nicole Moor
Gary N. Moore, Jr.
Tracy E. Moore
Robert Moyle, Jr.
David Moyle
Bryan Mueller
William R. Mueller
Sarah Murnaghan
James Murphy
NJ Lenders Corp.
Ben Nachsin
Jonas and Marie Nachsin
Mark Naughton
Emma Navarro
Jason Necker
Sue Negrin
Susan Elizabeth Nelson
kevan Nelson
Dee Nelson
Gia Nesbitt
Andrea G. Nicora
Betsy Niles
Ellen Nusbacher
Shaun T. O’Brien
Frank O’Connell
Nancy O’Donnell
kristen O’Hara
Mary Ann Oleszkiewicz
Barbara Olgivie
Rhonda Olshewitz
The Olszewski Family
Dennis J. O’Mara
Sean O’Neil
Megan O’Neill
Thomas ”Tommy” O’Neill
Jeff Orr
Ron Oswick, Jr.
Jose Padilla
Arthur Palew
Angelie J. Paredes
Allan Penner
Catherine Pentz
Deborah M. Pentz
Michael R. Pentz
E. Denise Peoples
Michael P. Pepe
Ines Jahira Perez
Roberto DeJesus Perez
Christian Robert Peters
Deirdre Peters
Scott Peterson
John D. Pflug III
Tanya Piccini
Grace Piccini
D. Shawn Pierson, MD
Chris Pini
Tom Pini
Jennifer Piscopiello
Robert Plona
Paul Podrazik
Stephen Greg Pollack
Fran Portine
Peter Prakapas
Roy Praschil
Sam Prince
John Rake
Melvin J. Raphael
Mark Reagan
George R. Reagan
Darlene Reiff
William Reitsma
James Rhatican
Ronald Rippey
Cecelia Ritter
Anthony Rizzo
Robert Roettger
Alan Rogolsky
Blake Rogolsky
Peter Rooney
Joseph S. Roth
Emma Rothman
Linda Rubinstein
Markus Rupp
Nick Ruvelas
Roy Ruymen
Olivia Ryan
Justin Sanchez
Lorraine Sanchez
Carole A. Sarnowski
Janet Saulter-Hemmer
Nicos Savva
Nicodemo Scali
Danielle Schrenk
Valentine Schumakoff
Matt Schutz
Susan Schwartz
kenneth R. Schwarz, Jr.
Jocye Ann Scolari
Susan Sher
karen Shimomura
Gerard Sigtermans
Carlton Simpson
Sherryl Lynn Smith
Rose Smith
Michael D. Snyder
Zachary Snyder
Carol Sue Steadman
Patricia Steinberg
Eric Strand
Arnold Strong
Michael Strusiak
Shannon Sturgis
Thomas Sudano Jr.
Robert James Sullivan
Dana Sutkowski
Judith kay Swarthout
kevin Szabo
Leon Szewcyk
Paul D. Talbert
Al Tanner
Eugene Teich, MD
Michael Tetta
Matthew Tetta
Shannon Thatcher
David Thiel
Erica Thompson
Bob Thomson
Michael Thomson
Peter Thomson
Geoffrey Tibok
Patrick Tommaney
Alexandra Tozzi
Zan Tozzi
Thomas ”Tom” William Tracey
Frank N. Travia Sr.
Matthew Trengove
Paul F. Trimboli, Jr.
Stephen Tucciarone
Barbara Turci
Anne Ulbrich
Rosa Valle
Bill Van Etten
keith Van Puttenvink
Romeo VanBuskirk
John Vargas
Anne Varley
Dennis Vazquez
Jaime Vega
Marie Venezia
Calvin A. Verduga
Robert ”Bobby” Verite
Edward Verrico
karen Von
Robert Walker, Jr.
Jim Wall
Steven Wall
David Wall
kevin Wall
John Walsh
Sandra Drozd Warfield
Leonard Watson, Sr.
Lenny Watson, Jr.
Rich Weber
Elle Weber
Mark Weiss
Donald Wells
Catherine Wells
ken Wenger
Richard Whitaker
Ursula Widocki
Anthony Williams
John W. Williams, Jr.
Benjamin Wittich
Cameron Wohl
Hope Wolf
Marcia Wolf
Edward B. Wood
Mary H. Wu
Jodi Yeskel
Linda Zessos
To learn more about the Landscape of Life Tribute Wall or other philanthropic opportunities,
please contact Alyssa D’Addio at 908-516-5432 or adaddio@njsharingnetwork.org.
www.NJSharingNetwork.org
11
K
Katty Mercado knew her daughter’s organs
would transform lives. And indeed, six-week-old
Melissa’s heart saved the life of a baby boy, and
her kidneys saved the life of a young mother.
Yet Katty and her husband, Angel, soon
realized that the family’s decision to donate also
would transform the lives of all those who loved
Melissa. The entire family gains solace knowing
that Melissa’s legacy lives on through her
life-saving gifts.
“Melissa was able to save two other
families from the pain and grief and tears
12
SPRING 2015
that we feel,” Katty said. “She is our hero. We
get strength from her gift. We know that by
sharing Melissa’s story, we are supporting organ
and tissue donation and keeping Melissa’s
legacy alive.”
For many donor families, the decision to
give the gift of life can bring meaning and
purpose to lives struck by sudden tragedy. That
has been the case for the Mercado family.
Ever since Melissa died in an automobile
accident in March 2013, Katty and Angel have
dedicated much of their lives to sharing their
story and telling others about the miracle
of organ donation. They speak in churches,
hospitals and schools and at community gatherings. And they are working with community
organizations to dedicate a park in Paterson to
the memory of their baby (see photo above).
When the family went to the park to clean
it up, neighbors came out to help. For Katty and
Angel, it was another opportunity to share
Melissa’s story with people in the Paterson
community.
Recently, in the family’s Paterson home,
Angel and Katty Mercado with their three children and
two nephews: son Angel David, 3, center. From left to
right is nephew Brandon, 13, nephew Shawn, 12,
daughter Shaila, 10, and daughter Mirielis, 7.
Baby Melissa Transformed Lives Through
Giving
“She is our hero.
We get strength from her gift.”
– Katty Mercado
the couple’s seven-year-old daughter, Mirielis,
described how she tells her friends and teachers
about organ donation.
“Melissa saved lives,” she said.
Then, Melissa’s three-year-old brother,
Angel David, pointed to a photo of his sister and
said, in clear toddler words, “Lissa a hero.”
Joe Roth, president & CEO of NJ Sharing
Network, said he frequently sees the lives of
donor families transformed through giving.
Donation does not erase or end grief, he said,
but the decision to respond generously, even at
a time of tragedy, can help families.
“It’s the most common thread I have
seen in donor families, even families that were
reluctant to donate at the time. They come back
and say they are glad they had the opportunity
to donate. The donation brings comfort and so
often helps families find something meaningful
amid their tragedy,” he said.
Katty said her work for NJ Sharing
Network helps her cope.
“If it was not for NJ Sharing Network, I
would not be standing here today,” Katty said.
“We will never stop grieving for our daughter,
but NJ Sharing Network has helped us
live through this tragedy. Melissa’s gift has
transformed our lives as well.”
The Mercado family had called Melissa a
“butterfly,” the theme on her blankets, sheets
and toys. The Mercado children and two of
their cousins have “Team Butterfly” T-shirts
from last year’s NJ Sharing Network 5K Walk &
USATF Certified Race. Recently, they wore the
T-shirts under warm coats as they slid down
slides and pushed swings at the Paterson park
www.NJSharingNetwork.org
13
The Donate Life Rose Parade Float
featured 60 butterflies, one for
each life that can be transformed
by a single deceased donor.
that they consider “Melissa’s playground.”
The family hopes to erect a sign that tells
all those who come to the park about Melissa’s
story and her life-saving gifts.
In another way of honoring Melissa, Katty
and Angel traveled to Pasadena, CA, to see
their daughter’s “floragraph,” a depiction of
her created with flowers, seeds and natural
materials, on the Donate Life Rose Parade float
on New Year’s Day. Melissa was among 71
deceased donors honored on the float. The NJ
Sharing Network Foundation sponsored the
family’s trip to Pasadena and Melissa’s floragraph.
“Being in Pasadena was a once-in-a-lifetime
experience,” Angel said. “There were so many
emotions. To see Melissa’s story shared with the
world was amazing. But it was bittersweet, too.
And it was helpful to talk with other donor
families who really know how we feel.”
Katty said she was moved to tears when
she learned that this year’s float would depict —
in flowers — 60 butterflies emerging from
books that tell “The Never Ending Story” of
organ and tissue donation.
“I was stunned when I saw the theme was
butterflies. That was Melissa!” Katty exclaimed.
Angel said he knew little about organ and
tissue donation, and might even have been
inclined to oppose donation, until his mother
had a liver transplant in 1995. The transplant
gave his mother seven more years of life, and he
remains grateful.
“That’s when I began to understand the
value of organ and tissue donation,” he said. So
after Melissa’s tragedy, when the family was
approached by NJ Sharing Network transplant
coordinators at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical
Center in Paterson and asked to consider
donation, the answer was simple: they would
do so. They hope one day to meet the recipients
of Melissa’s organs, and perhaps listen to her
heart beat again in the chest of another child.
They also want to correct some
misconceptions about organ donation. They
tell people they had a beautiful funeral for
Melissa, and that organ donation has given
the family solace amid tragedy. They also said
they now feel part of the NJ Sharing Network
family, a community that has provided them
with comfort, support and hope.
“We will never stop sharing Melissa’s
story,” Katty said.
Angel and Katty with their three children at
Melissa’s “floragraph” finishing ceremony
at NJ Sharing Network headquarters.
14
SPRING 2015
For Six Families, Rose Parade Becomes Transformative Event
The Donate Life Rose Parade Float
activities began long before New Year’s Day and
continued after the memorable parade.
Six families connected to NJ Sharing
Network participated in the float activities.
For many, the events were emotional, even
life-changing. The activities began in New
Jersey with a series of emotional “floragraph”
decorating ceremonies that preceded the
parade. Families put the finishing touches on
floragraphs that depicted their loved ones with
flowers, seeds and other natural materials.
Newspapers, television stations and other
media outlets covered these poignant events
and further spread the stories of those who gave
the gift of life. There was also a send-off event
at Liberty Science Center for Joe DiSanto,
a heart recipient, and Reenie Harris, a living
kidney donor.
Meanwhile, NJ Sharing Network’s hospital
partners participated in a series of rose
dedication ceremonies, where hospital CEOs
and others wrote messages of hope and
remembrance attached to rose vials that joined
thousands of others to create the Dedication
Garden featured on the float.
Then just before New Year’s Day all the
families traveled to Pasadena to join other
donor families, recipients and living donors
from around the nation — all personally
connected to the mission to save lives through
organ and tissue donation. The floragraphs of
our NJ donors were displayed on the Donate
Life Rose Parade Float and viewed by hundreds
of thousands of people on the parade route and
millions more on television.
For families, helping to create the
floragraphs — and then viewing them on the
float — was a powerful way to honor their loved
ones. In the months following the parade,
families returned to their communities to share
their stories and to permanently display the
floragraphs of their loved ones in places of honor.
www.NJSharingNetwork.org
15
Float Participants Tell Stories of
Liv Transformed
rough Giving
Floragraph of Riley Kogen
A
As a living organ donor, Reenie Harris of
Cedar Knolls walked five miles alongside the
Donate Life Rose Parade Float on New Year’s
Day in Pasadena, CA.
As a heart recipient, Joe DiSanto of
Hillsborough rode on the float with other
recipients.
And as deceased donors who gave the
gift of life, Melissa Mercado of Paterson,
Riley Kogen of Livingston, Anthony Rizzo of
Staten Island and Joe D’Addio of Stirling
were honored with “floragraphs” — depictions
of them created with flowers, seeds and
other natural materials — displayed on the
soaring float.
Together, the stories of Rose Parade
honorees connected to NJ Sharing Network
showed the many faces of organ and tissue
donation. The float celebrated the second
chance of life for recipients, highlighted the
generosity of living donors and honored the
legacy of those who gave the gift of life.
Those who attended the parade described
the float as a flower-filled tribute to organ and
tissue donation. They said people cheered from
the stands, sidewalks and rooftops as the float
moved down Colorado Avenue.
“I remember the moment I saw Joe
honored with a floragraph on the float,”
said Alberta D’Addio, a NJ Sharing Network
volunteer. “It is a moment I will always
remember. And then you see recipients on the
float — people who are alive because of the
choices you made. I think Joe was smiling
from heaven.”
Alberta’s husband of 25 years died from a
cerebral hemorrhage in 2009; he donated two
kidneys as well as tissue.
16
SPRING 2015
Others echoed Alberta’s thoughts and told
stories of how their lives were transformed
through giving. Their personal stories showed
how organ and tissue donation heals in many
ways. For families of deceased donors, the
floragraphs honored the legacies of the people
they loved.
“To see Anthony’s floragraph on the float
as it came down Colorado Avenue was an
amazing experience for us and a profound way
to honor my son,” said Suzann Rizzo. Anthony
Rizzo died in an accident at the age of 16; his
organs saved the lives of five people and gave
the gift of sight to two.
Suzann said the New Year’s Day event was
healing for her entire family, including her
children, who climbed on scaffolding to help
decorate the float. They also found support by
meeting siblings of other deceased donors. In
the weeks preceding New Year’s Day, the family
unveiled the floragraph during a ceremony at
Anthony’s high school in Staten Island.
“Being involved in NJ Sharing Network has
helped my family heal,” said Suzann, a member
of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board.
“We can see Anthony living on in a different
way … but still living on.”
This year’s float featured 60 butterflies —
one for each life that can be transformed by a
single deceased donor — emerging from an
open book. The theme was “The Never-Ending
Story.” Thousands of people watched on the
parade route, and millions more watched on
television.
For Joe Roth, President & CEO of NJ
Sharing Network, it was a second trip to the
Rose Parade.
“I had the esteemed role of serving as
group photographer,” Joe recalled. “It ended up
as a superb opportunity to capture the faces of
these families as they experienced building a
float for the parade — or attending events
where they met so many families across the
country who understand the tremendous
miracle of organ donation.”
The Rizzo Family remembers Anthony at his floragraph
ceremony.
The D'Addio Family proudly diplays Joe D'Addio’s floragraph
in Pasadena.
ank you to all  our hospital
partners and suort om their CEOs for once
again dedicating ros for the Donate Life Float
in honor  organ and tiue donors. We greatly
ariate your participation and suort as we
spread our life-saving mage.
He called the parade a perfect way to begin
the year.
“There were smiles. There were tears. It
was a poignant and emotional experience that
touched all of us who participated,” he said.
Katty Mercado, and her husband, Angel,
traveled to Pasadena to see Melissa Mercado as
one of the 72 deceased donors honored with a
floragraph.
“To see my baby on the float and to know
that her story was being shared with the world
… was very emotional and fulfilling,” said Katty.
Her daughter Melissa died in a car accident at
just six weeks old. Her heart saved a 13-monthold baby boy, and her kidneys saved the life of a
young mother.
“The parade was an amazing experience
for all of us,” she said.
For Ali Kogen, the event was moving and
fulfilling, but not without painful moments
as she saw her daughter, five-year-old Riley,
honored with a floragraph. Riley’s organs saved
the lives of two people.
“The parade was amazing, and we
were honored to be a part of it all. It was an
experience I will never forget,” she said. “It was
a beautiful event and very emotional.”
For Reenie Harris, 72, the five miles she
walked — as one of 12 living donors marching
alongside the float — showed how a person can
donate a kidney and continue to live an active
life. Reenie said she feels no different today than
she did before she donated her kidney to a man
she had never met. Coincidently, the recipient
of her kidney lives near Pasadena, and she had
lunch him and his family while in California for
the parade.
Reenie’s recipient had been on dialysis for
five years, and now he can travel with his wife
and get back to living a more normal life with
his children and grandchildren. “They were
such a lovely family. I was a reminded that when
you save a life with organ donation, you save
an entire family,” Reenie said. She was inspired
to donate her kidney when her daughter,
Natasha, who lives in California, became an
altruistic kidney donor. Mother and daughter
had the opportunity to walk together alongside
the float.
“One voice can save many lives. It’s that
powerful,” Reenie said.
For Joe DiSanto, it was another
opportunity to thank donors —
and every donor family — for
the gift that has given him
a second chance at life. He
received a heart transplant at the
age of 12 and now is a student
at Monmouth University in
West Long Branch.
“It was all so incredible to be there. Just
awesome,” he said. During the parade, he stood
on the float near the spot where Melissa
Mercado’s floragraph was displayed, a special
honor, he said. He said he believes that all those
in the transplant community are connected.
Sharing his story is his way of thanking his
donor, a young woman from Washington, D.C.,
who died in a car accident.
“I tell my story as my way of saying
thanks,” Joe said. “If it was not for my organ
donor, I know I would not be here today.”
Rose Parade participants
display the NJ Sharing Network
banner at the Rose Parade.
The generous sponsorship of organizations dedicated to
the mission of organ and tissue supported each family’s
participation in the Donate Life Rose Parade Float activities.
• Bridge to Life Ltd sponsored the D’Addio family
• Dignity Memorial® in New Jersey sponsored the kogen family
• Dignity Memorial® in New York sponsored the Rizzo family
• NJ Sharing Network sponsored the DiSanto and
Mercado families
• One Legacy sponsored Reenie Harris
www.NJSharingNetwork.org
17
SOCIAL
Donate Life
Around the World
Will you be traveling or spending time with friends
and family? Don’t forget to contact John Valentine at
908-516-5428 or jvalentine@njsharingnetwork.org
to request your own Donate Life/NJ Sharing Network
banner to bring along so you can submit your photo
for our “Donate Life Around the World” campaign!
So strike a pose and post it on our Facebook page.
NJ Sharing Network volunteer,
Skip Stabile, and Carol Galhardo
spread the word in Carol’s
hometown of Palmital, Brazil.
5K Team Karma members, Gaurang Kalsaria and
Rishi Ramchandani, brought our life-saving message to Sting Ray City
in Grand Cayman and were actually photobombed by a stingray.
NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board member Dan Sarnowski and Sally Apgar
honored organ donor Betsy Niles by bringing the life-saving message to Red
Square in Moscow.
5K Team Fes members brought the message
of organ and tissue donation to Machu Picchu in honor
of tissue donor James Fessel.
Janice and Bob Kern, parents of
tissue donor Brian Kern, shared our
message with Captain Christopher
Turner of the Zuiderdam on a cruise
to the Panama Canal.
NJ Sharing Network staff
member Jeanne Blanchard in Chile
spreading The Power of One at Hotel
Brighton perched on Valparaiso’s
historical Concepción Hill.
The sunflowers were beautiful!
18
Calling all
Volunteers
One of our newest classes of volunteers
is ready to share the message of organ
and tissue donation. If you are
interested in becoming a volunteer
for NJ Sharing Network, contact
volunteers@njsharingnetwork.org.
Teeing Up for Baltusrol
It was a day of sun and warm breezes at the 16th Annual Golf Classic at Baltusrol
Golf Club. There was a special clinic for first-time golfers as well as an opportunity
for veteran players to enjoy one of America’s most prestigious golf courses.
Please mark your calendar for our 17th Annual Golf Classic once again held
at Baltusrol on October 5, 2015. For participation and sponsorship contact
jlueraia@njsharingnetwork.org.
Staff and Volunteers
Support BRA Day
In honor of BRA (Breast Reconstruction Awareness) Day, the staff and volunteers at NJ
Sharing Network collected and contributed bras to the Connie Dwyer Breast Center in
Newark, NJ. Breast reconstruction surgery is one of the many medical procedures that
tissue donation makes possible.
Connie Dwyer and Janet Lesko, Director of Development, came to NJ Sharing Network
to tour our building and meet with our Assistant Director of Resource Development,
Jackie Lue Raia, to discuss partnership opportunities.
To see more pictures from our events, please visit Facebook.com/NJSharingNetwork.
19
SOCIAL
The Zeta Chi Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at Muhlenberg
College held its Annual Dodgeball Tournament to support
organ and tissue donation in memory of Joseph D’Addio.
To honor the memory of their daughter, Riley, the Kogen family created Riley's Dance, a
program of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation that supports organ recipients and those
waiting for organs. Riley became an organ donor at the age of five. Recently the Kogen
family visited Saint Barnabas Medical Center to share toys with children at the hospital.
The family fund also supports a children's book to educate younger generations on the
topic of organ and tissue donation by sharing Riley’s story. The book, written by Lily’s
Laces author Rebecca Perlman Coniglio, is titled Running for Riley and is available for
pre-sale on www.MascotBooks.com until it is officially released on May 5, 2015.
Heart transplant recipients pose for a photo with Dr. Margarita Camacho, Surgical
Director of Cardiac Transplant at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. They all gathered
at the Donate Life Rose Parade Send Off Event at Liberty Science Center.
Joseph looks so happy because his grandpa, John Rose, received a
liver transplant this year. He has a special message to share.
20
NJ Sharing Network hosted the inaugural meeting of the Multicultural Nursing
Association Collaborative. The organization is committed to saving and enhancing
lives through organ and tissue donation — in New Jersey and beyond.
Bruce Goldstein, third from right, a heart recipient and Vice Chair of the NJ Sharing
Network Board of Trustees Governing Board, and Gail Clegg, third from left, Advisory
Board member and mother of organ and tissue donor Sean Clegg, visited Robert Wood
Johnson University Hospital to share their personal stories and thank the staff for their
commitment and continued support of organ and tissue donation.
NJ Sharing Network President & CEO Joe Roth, holding the trophy, was honored
at the 41st Annual Meadowlands Regional Chamber Gala for his leadership of
our organization for the past 16 years.
The nursing faculty at Montclair State University
braved a snowstorm to talk about organ and
tissue donation with their classes.
It was a poignant moment at NJ Sharing Network headquarters as the family
of organ donor Dr. Jamila Irons-Johnson met the recipient of Jamila’s lungs,
Janice McNamara, and her daughter. Jamila’s mother, Janice Campbell,
was deeply moved to see the woman whose life her daughter saved. Janice
McNamara said she “couldn’t have asked for a better family to share the gift”
and was so thankful to have met them.
To see more pictures from our events, please visit Facebook.com/NJSharingNetwork.
21
MANUELA C.
WALTER B.
RICHARD M.
CLEMENTE T.
KRISTOPHER M.
EUGENE S.
EUGENE D.
ROBERT H.
PATRICIA N.
ROBERT P.
CHRISTINA D.
PAUL C.
GAIL G.
THOMAS B.
JOSEPH W.
KIM P.
EDWARD B.
BRIAN H.
CAROL L.
GAIL B.
DANIEL K.
JOHN W.
DONALD H.
KELLY T.
FRANCIS D.
THOMAS H.
NANCY E.
SANTOS MAURICIO M.
HENRY W.
FREDERICK K.
EDWARD P.
WAYNE E.
SHARON S.
KAREN L.
THOMAS N.
CARL L.
ELAINE B.
MICHAEL C.
RIGOBERTO G.
JAMES D.
WILLIAM I.
JAMES S.
ELAINE F.
ANNA L.
JAMES P.
DWAYNE H.
ARTHUR T.
GREGORY S.
MARGARITA M.
DORRIE K.
KENNETH L.
GEORGIA W.
DAVID S.
CHARLES P.
EUGENE B.
ERIC R.
CHARJUAN W.
THOMAS G.
MARK D.
JUDITH V.
ROSANN C.
JUDITH P.
ANDREW W.
JOSEPH P.
RALPH J.
KENT K.
MYRON B.
JOSEPH G.
CHARLES B.
SONJA D.
ANTONIO A.
KATHLEEN B.
LINDA B.
MARTIN N.
UMILO S.
SUZANNE P.
MICHAEL A.
TERESA K.
JOYCE M.
ROBERT M.
ROSALYN A.
HELDER D.
DAVID H.
PETER L.
CAROL M.
ROBERT D.
PATRICIA P.
WALTER S.
DONNA L.
IVAN L.
SHERRI L.
MICHAEL B.
JONATHAN G.
WILLIAM C.
GEORGE R.
YAHDON Y.
MICHAEL M.
QUADRIQUE P.
JAMES S.
KEVIN N.
MILAN H.
ROBERT P.
ANGELO G.
GERARD H.
JOSE P.
NOLA T.
VINCENT E.
JANET M.
BARTLEY K.
DON M.
JANET C.
AUDA F.
ELAINE B.
DAVID S.
PATRICIA R.
MICHAEL Y.
DOMINICK C.
ROBERT L.
ELI B.
JUDITH S.
THOMAS H.
TERRY C.
JOSEPH C.
DARLEEN H.
LINDA E.
EFRAIN M.
ASHWIN P.
BENITO Z.
ELENA R.
KONSTANTIN V.
HOPE W.
WILLIAM M.
WILLIAM M.
PATRICK R.
MARIA C.
TERRENCE G.
ROBERT B.
EVELYN S.
FRANCIS D.
MARGARET L.
ROBIN S.
HSIUYEN G.
VIVIAN B.
JULIANNA E.
MICHAEL B.
ANDREW R.
ANTAWANETTE W.
ALFRED C.
GEORGE H.
WILLIAM O.
DONALD C.
LENORE A.
NICHOLAS G.
RACHEL M.
COLLEEN S.
THERESA P.
CYNTHIA G.
JAMES P.
VINCENT I.
MAUREEN C.
PATSY R.
AL T.
CINDY F.
SANDRA E.
GLENN S.
DONALD F.
BERNITA P.
JASON R.
DONNA M.
BRADLEY B.
HELGA B.
BRIAN T.
JOSEPH R.
FRANCIS J.
ARTHUR B.
MADELINE H.
JAMES H.
GARY R.
PETER F.
TARA H.
BARRY J.
CHRISTOPHER P.
PATRICK T.
WILLIAM C.
ROBERT D.
BARBARA S.
RITA R.
DIRK E.
MARIE D.
JOSEPH A.
VICTORIA M.
ELAINE B.
ELIJAH S.
JOSEPH A.
WES M.
WILLIAM D.
ROGER D.
NIKOLAS D.
LEONARD H.
DEBORAH C.
WILSON G.
MICHAEL W.
FRANCISCO L.
BARBARA D.
JANICE B.
MARY A.
ARLENE H.
BERNARD D.
PETER P.
SHARON M.
JAYA V.
VALERIE A.
HAROLD A.
CLAYTON W.
KATHLEEN D.
DORETHA C.
CAROL J.
MICHAEL V.
MARIANA V.
MICHAEL K.
ARNALDO M.
ROBERT A.
SHARON K.
THEODORE J.
GARRY G.
BETH B.
HECTOR G.
JANICE L.
RICHARD S.
CALVIN S.
MATHEW M.
KAREN D.
LINDA G.
ARIE B.
THEY GAVE
With Everlasting Gratitude to all of our 2014
DAVID C.
PATRICE T.
CYNTHIA B.
KEITH L.
JESUS S.
FRANK O.
MARY C.
OZELL R.
JOSEPH B.
PILAR B.
FREDRICK H.
MARY S.
LYNN B.
GERALD M.
MARIA N.
SCOTT C.
VIJAIYANAND P.
CHARLOTTE S.
BARBARA G.
WILLIAM D.
DANIEL C.
DIANE V.
ANTHONY M.
JOSEPH C.
ANTHONY R.
ROBERT W.
JAMES A.
CAROLYN M.
MARIANA R.
JUAN C.
MATTHEW C.
GEORGE T.
RUSSELL Z.
ANN H.
JAYDEN M.
KATHERINE M.
WAYNE M.
NOEL N.
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JOHN Y.
NANCY H.
FRED E.
JOHN S.
VALERIE L.
LINDA C.
PENELOPE S.
ANTHONY S.
LAWRENCE S.
KATHLEEN S.
LINDA Z.
JEROME K.
MICHAEL B.
MARC D.
KETTLY L.
JOHN B.
KIMBERLY H.
HEATHER S.
ALFRED C.
BRUCE B.
DALE B.
JAMES L.
COLLEEN D.
DUANE B.
HILDA J.
MARION T.
JOSE A.
HOWARD H.
ROBERT G.
CLAUDE P.
SHARON K.
JOHN R.
MICHAEL E.
JUDITH B.
WALTER B.
ROBERT M.
RAJNIKANT P.
JOSEPH B.
SPRING 2015
LAVINIA C.
SUTHAM G.
ARTHUR S.
LOUIS C.
RAYMOND C.
BARBARA J.
MATTHEW K.
RONALD D.
JOHN G.
EDWIN L.
RONALD B.
JANE P.
CHESTER W.
STEVEN Z.
RICARDO P.
LOZIUS B.
JAMES B.
ROBERT M.
CAROL Z.
WILLIAM P.
JOSEPH P.
JOSEPH C.
PATRICIA S.
LINDA G.
PATRICK F.
JAMES S.
JOSE GRACIA T.
CHRISTOPHER N.
HELMUT L.
CRAIG R.
SAMUEL B.
JOHN D.
JESSE P.
SANDI M.
RICHARD S.
JOHN B.
MYRA R.
VIVIAN P.
ESTHER E.
TIFFANY S.
LOUIS G.
JUSTINE K.
MARGARET V.
RICHARD R.
RAKESH S.
AGUSTIN R.
DREW K.
JERI C.
EVA T.
EFRAIN Q.
BARIN S.
CHANDRESH S.
ALEXANDRA C.
REGINALD L.
MATTHEW B.
MARIE M.
ABDELMESSHI B.
PHILLIP D.
GLEN P.
REY DAVID C.
RUSSELL B.
HARRY J.
ETHEL L.
MARIANELA G.
CAROL B.
KATHLEEN N.
BARBARA K.
ALAN W.
KATHLEEN H.
RICHARD H.
MARGARET S.
JOHN M.
SUSHILABEN V.
PAUL M.
ZAIDA S.
MARGARITA D.
DARIUS R.
SANDRA P.
WEDNER D.
NICHOLAS G.
KEITH S.
DANIEL V.
OLEG F.
CAROL D.
JAMES O.
JUDITH M.
PATRICK W.
CHARLES N.
JILL R.
MARK L.
RONALD R.
GODOFREDO G.
JOHN C.
ROBERT M.
SANDRA M.
EUGENE D.
NICHOLAS D.
KATHLEEN A.
RAMASWAMY K.
CAROLYN D.
MICHAEL D.
SHEILA O.
ANN B.
ROBERT S.
DIANE L.
ANGEL R.
EFRAIN R.
ALLAN C.
GERALD N.
NATASHA V.
WALTER P.
HELENE P.
MARYANN C.
WINFIELD B.
RANDY S.
CARLOS F.
CHRIS C.
MICHAEL M.
HARRIET F.
CONRADO B.
THOMAS G.
JOHN C.
NANCY C.
JOSEPH K.
MARVIN S.
JEFFREY G.
DUSHYANT S.
NASHAAT A.
JOHN G.
LESLIE A.
JONATHAN W.
MARTIN B.
ROSA R.
GLADYS A.
ARCHANGELO D.
TRUDY B.
JOSE O.
CAROL B.
FRANCIS R.
NANCY L.
DAVID K.
KASANDRA P.
ROBERT M.
ROBERT C.
MARY W.
KARINA B.
BARBARA H.
EUSEBIO B.
JANYSE M.
CHRISTOPHER O.
TY T.
CHRISTIAN D.
ANTHONY J.
ELAINE M.
JAIRO A.
RICHARD D.
FRANCIS O.
DORIS H.
LATESHIA T.
RONALD S.
WILLIAM C.
VENESSA F.
WILLIAM R.
JEAN A.
CHARLES J.
REYNOLDS S.
EDWIN N.
EMELY E.
PATRICIA K.
FORREST H.
JAYNE T.
SHAUN S.
ROBERT M.
RENEE S.
DONNA F.
JUAN N.
ROBERT E.
SHAWN S.
CAROL F.
WILLIAM J.
JAMES B.
MYRON D.
STEVEN S.
EDWARD K.
RICHARD S.
ROBERT E.
JOSEPH E.
PABLO F.
MATTIE P.
MARIA SELCA M.
ROBERT H.
MICHAEL M.
DOMINICK B.
ANA H.
PATRICIA W.
JUDITH S.
ROBERT B.
ELLIS S.
THERESA S.
QINGLIN Z.
ROBERT P.
ANJALI N.
CARLOS A.
CLIFTON H.
THEODORE W.
ANITA S.
MAUREEN M.
CARL J.
JANET R.
CAROL O.
JOHN K.
TONI T.
LOUIS P.
RICHARD S.
DOROTHY S.
LINDA M.
GREGORY R.
MICHAEL W.
PAUL G.
ADOLFO L.
DIMITRI M.
ANDREA H.
DOREEN I.
LAURA P.
BRENT S.
ALEX R.
DAVID B.
JENNIE M.
DARLENE R.
ROBERT K.
JOANNE R.
MARIO G.
GARY M.
NARENDRA D.
VINCENT N.
LIAM A.
HAROLD D.
THOMAS V.
CESAR C.
LILLIE B.
DONALD H.
CAROL M.
ARNEL P.
PAUL P.
JOHN G.
GARY S.
JUSTIN L.
ERICH W.
MACE K.
CONNIE J.
CHARLES K.
GENESIS R.
FRANK H.
MARYLEE C.
MOOKASH N.
PATRICK M.
SILVA V.
JAVIER R.
JOHN R.
GARY W.
PHILIP M.
ANTHONY E.
DARRYL O.
MICHAEL S.
FAY P.
THOMAS G.
MARK D.
MELVIN S.
HARVEY L.
ROBERT S.
AMELIA D.
ERVIN S.
CARMELO A.
BARBARA M.
MARGARET H.
KATHLEEN B.
JOAN L.
SHEILA B.
ADEDEJI A.
ANTHONY C.
HELEN R.
JAMES K.
DOMINICK S.
MARTIN B.
JUAN S.
ANNA T.
GLEN D.
ROBERT M.
TRACY B.
EILEEN M.
RAYMOND B.
DOMENICO A.
MANUEL R.
DONALD S.
JOHN R.
CHANTAY G.
ANNIEASE C.
PAUL K.
EVANTHIA G.
BOLIVAR G.
SALLY S.
BERT M.
KRISTIN W.
BRUCE H.
PATRICIA F.
MILES R.
DANIEL D.
VINCENT S.
DAWN R.
CHARLES L.
JACK T.
ALICE W.
HERBERT W.
CALVIN V.
SHARON E.
KEREN F.
JOYCE H.
ROSA H.
JARED C.
CRAIG O.
JOAN Z.
MICHAEL K.
PREEYA S.
WILLIAM G.
FRANCIS B.
HARRY B.
RAJESH P.
ROBERT R.
CATHERINE B.
JERRY M.
PETER R.
YVETTE C.
DAVID S.
ANDREA N.
ARVIND P.
CAROLE C.
DOLORES L.
CHRISTOPHER N.
STEVE W.
ROBERT C.
PATRICK S.
JIGNESH P.
GREGORY B.
NANZI A.
THOMAS M.
ROBERT L.
CHARLES S.
JUDY N.
WILLIAM K.
TAHIRAH J.
CARY C.
PETER M.
CARMELO R.
BERTRAM P.
CORNELIUS O.
THEODORE S.
GARY N.
RONALD F.
MONSERRATE R.
EDWARD G.
JAMES J.
DAVID C.
ROBERT P.
KENT S.
WILLIAM S.
RODERICK N.
LEONARD P.
KEMPSON W.
MARK R.
JAMES M.
BRIAN B.
TALEA S.
ELIN T.
CHRISTOPHER N.
AMANDA G.
TRACI T.
JOSEPH M.
PETER M.
CHRISTINA A.
EDITH D.
VIRGINIA C.
RONALD B.
NELLY H.
ENID F.
DIANE S.
THOMAS K.
JAMES M.
WILLIAM L.
JEFFREY D.
HUEY M.
MAGDALENA S.
RUTH K.
GEORGE B.
VICTOR L.
ERIC O.
ROSEMARIE F.
MICHAEL S.
ANTHONY M.
RONALD B.
CHARLES O.
ALBERT C.
KENNETH S.
ELLIOTT R.
ALFONSO R.
MARILYN R.
JOHN R.
BRIAN W.
LADONNA R.
ROBERTO M.
MARY O.
PHYLLIS D.
KATHLEEN M.
PAUL D.
CHARLES L.
ANN D.
ZACHARIE H.
JAYANTILAL S.
JORGE R.
PATRICIA Y.
ROBERT J.
JOHN H.
PATRICIA G.
RICHARD M.
JANET G.
JOHN F.
WINSTON S.
THOMAS Y.
ANTONIO G.
ELLEN N.
RICKY W.
JOHN L.
JAMES K.
ALBERT M.
ANGELA W.
STEVEN P.
DAVID T.
BRIAN J.
THOMAS K.
ERIK A.
DEBORAH S.
ZOILA H.
WILLIAM H.
SARA H.
ALPHONSO B.
JOHN H.
YBELKA A.
JUSTIN A.
DONELLA B.
JOHN S.
JOHNATHON D.
NICHOLAS M.
MOIRA S.
ALEXANDER R.
RUSSELL C.
RICHARD B.
SANDRA S.
COREY C.
ANTHONY G.
EDWARD L.
DENISE W.
JAMES B.
DAVID G.
ROBERT W.
GAIL T.
PATRICIA C.
ELIZABETH C.
JOSEPH H.
ROWENA L.
WILLIAM M.
RICHARD P.
RENEE D.
FREDERICK D.
JANET D.
THOMAS M.
ROBERT P.
SUEANNE G.
JOSEPH F.
ANTHONY V.
PATRICIA M.
ELSIE K.
FINA A.
CAITLYN K.
ALEXANDER S.
CAROLYN R.
EDWARD S.
MARYLOU S.
JANICE H.
RASOOL M.
ROBERT K.
CAROL R.
JACOB L.
DAVID S.
ANTHONY P.
WANDA G.
MARK S.
FELICIA J.
PEDRO P.
WILLIAM T.
RICHARD W.
EILEEN C.
LONDA M.
JACQUELINE S.
DAVID M.
KENYETTA H.
ARTHUR W.
PEDRO S.
RICHARD P.
CLYDE D.
CHRISTINE D.
CHARLES B.
OSWALD N.
JOHN F.
JAIMEE T.
ELLEN S.
JUSTIN C.
ELEANOR C.
SAISERAM S.
JAMES J.
JOSE R.
DEBORAH M.
LOUIS E.
LUISA C.
KAREN M.
SHANNON S.
LOUISE L.
JEANNINE L.
CHRISTOPHER D.
MARION M.
JAMES C.
ALEXANDER H.
ANDREW K.
KELLY G.
LEONA R.
JOHN D.
ALIRIO O.
VIRGINIA M.
JOHN S.
DEREK M.
TIMOTHY R.
BRUCE M.
JOSEPH C.
HERBERT G.
EVELYN M.
STEVEN S.
DEREK B.
CARLMICHAEL W.
STEPHANIE K.
OSSIE S.
JEFFREY D.
DEBRA K.
JORGE C.
DENNIS L.
BARBARA C.
TAWANNA H.
NANCY T.
DAVID M.
NANCY T.
JOSEPH F.
ANTHONY F.
AUTUMN G.
IDA K.
RICHARD S.
ANGEL C.
THERESA H.
ALEXIUS H.
MICHAEL L.
FRANK B.
RHONDA B.
RAFAEL T.
VICTOR T.
SANDRA T.
SIMON D.
LORRAINE P.
HOPE C.
DORIS M.
WILLIAM C.
OTTO R.
JOANN K.
JOSE M.
VALERIE L.
PAUL D.
NEHA M.
VERONICA A.
MICHAELINE G.
BRYAN S.
RADAMES P.
EDWARD B.
DOUGLAS P.
FREDDY F.
KATHY R.
JAMAR H.
ROBERT E.
CHARLES A.
GEORGE M.
ALEXANDER H.
JOHN N.
FRANK R.
PAUL S.
WILLIAM P.
PATRICIA M.
ELZILENE S.
THOMAS S.
ARMANDO R.
JOHN R.
MICHAEL M.
PERRY H.
MICHAEL A.
TRACY V.
RICHARD M.
DAVID S.
ZACION C.
CARLOS V.
DEBRA R.
BRIAN S.
THOMAS S.
JUANANTONIO A.
CATHERINE M.
JEREMIAH D.
PAUL L.
JOHN R.
CHRISTINE S.
DEMETERIS W.
GEORGE R.
DAVID G.
RENEE P.
KRISTI S.
ANDREW P.
JOSEPH M.
JAMES W.
JOELLEN L.
ROSE P.
JOSE M.
JOANN E.
JAMES B.
SUZANNE M.
RODNEY S.
MANEESHA S.
ROSA K.
DONALD W.
PEDRO S.
NICOLE W.
LIFE.
Organ and Tissue Donors
ALFREDO P.
BERTRUM B.
ABDUL B.
LLOYD R.
SALLYANNE S.
VALERIE M.
VINCENT G.
TYQUAN C.
ROBERT S.
CHARLES L.
DEBRA S.
NEDRA K.
ELIZABETH R.
DORIS R.
THEODORE K.
ROBERT S.
JOSE G.
JEROME A.
VANESSA G.
LINET C.
LAWRENCE M.
KEVIN C.
DAVID M.
BELINDA R.
SIMON W.
LISA J.
AALIYAH R.
WILLIAM T.
VERNA S.
ANNE U.
ERNEST P.
MARVIN K.
NEIL B.
MAUREEN W.
ALLIE J.
JUSTIN M.
CAROL G.
GEORGE C.
MARIA F.
LEONARD L.
FREDRICK F.
TERRANCE M.
BRETT H.
EDWARD C.
FRANKLIN M.
KARLOS I.
LEO M.
SAMUEL S.
MICHAEL H.
JOAN E.
JAMES S.
JOHN M.
ORISSA M.
PHYLLIS B.
DAVID D.
LAWRENCE J.
CAROLYN K.
ELIZABETH F.
BARRINGTON W.
JOHNSON F.
GARY C.
PAUL D.
WILLIAM B.
STEVEN K.
WILLIAM B.
BABY A G.
KUAN W.
RICHARD S.
JOSEPH H.
DAVID W.
ROBERT S.
VINCENT S.
MICHAEL T.
JOHN H.
ROBERT U.
DOMINICK P.
SHARON A.
JOAN T.
CORINNE S.
SHESHARATNAM C.
CATHERINE D.
HECTOR I.
KYLE J.
LYNETTE A.
RICHARD B.
MITCHELL B.
AMIE D.
JERRY S.
MIGUEL G.
KATHY B.
CHARLES F.
EUGENE B.
ROBERT P.
MICHAEL Q.
REGINA S.
KENNETH K.
DWAYNE H.
MICHAEL E.
KEVIN K.
CAROL S.
DARIA S.
EDWARD B.
JOSEPH G.
ROBERT M.
DANIEL O.
RUSSELL L.
SHAMIA G.
ALICE J.
FREDERICK L.
CRAIG K.
CARMEN A.
ROLAND S.
THERESE P.
GREGORY S.
PATRICIA K.
JUDY N.
PATRICIA D.
MARCELLUS S.
JERRY R.
TYRAN H.
MARK W.
ROBERT D.
WILLIAM N.
JOHN V.
MALACHY B.
JOHN F.
CANDICE G.
LAMAR A.
DENNIS S.
PRADEEP K.
JAHAD H.
ANGELA B.
TONYA F.
GARY A.
NICHOLAS S.
MORRIS D.
JEAN M.
GLEN I.
JOSEPH L.
RAYMOND M.
STACEY J.
MICHAEL W.
DIANE D.
CLEMENT P.
KARL W.
JOHN M.
THEODORE P.
DENIS L.
PETER S.
STEWART N.
PATRICIA M.
FRANK S.
RICHARD M.
JOHN S.
LINDA K.
HEDWICK R.
DAVID L.
HOWARD H.
CHARLES M.
MEERA K.
KATHLEEN G.
KARL D.
KANDI G.
JOSE DE JESUS C.
ANA S.
KATHERINE V.
ANDRE H.
ROGER B.
SERGIO C.
GHANSHYAMBHAI P.
CHARLES L.
MABLE H.
THOMAS D.
NORBERTO M.
GARY S.
EDWARD M.
OMAR C.
EUGENE V.
KIMIA B.
WILLIAM C.
KENNETH L.
STEPHEN T.
RAMON A.
KEVIN T.
CARLOS J.
www.NJSharingNetwork.org
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PAID
Union, NJ
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NJ Sharing Network is a member of
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www.NJSharingNetwork.org
WHO WE ARE
NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally designated organ procurement organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue
for the nearly 5,000 New Jersey residents currently awaiting transplantation, and is part of the national recovery system, which is in place for the
more than 120,000 people on waiting lists.
NJ Sharing Network is CMS certified, AOPO accredited, designated OPO by UNOS, FDA registered, CAP accredited,
ASHI accredited, registered with NJ State DOH, and soon to be AATB accredited.
If you no longer wish to receive information from NJ Sharing Network, please call 908-516-5400.
Day in the Life: Office Volunteers
Alberta D’Addio
Nancy Tomich
Ever wonder who are all those helpful people
around the office? You see them busy preparing for the
next event, offering some big help with office support
or answering phones.
These are our office volunteers, the backbone of NJ
Sharing Network, who help make sure everything gets
done – big or small – on time, no matter the challenge.
Two of our cherished volunteers are Alberta
D’Addio and Nancy Tomich, both of whom are willing
to do it all.
“This is a wonderful organization to volunteer
with; my work here is all very rewarding,” said Alberta
D’Addio. “I am a volunteer with a personal connection
to organ donation through my husband, Joe who was
an organ and tissue donor more than five years ago.
I love the atmosphere of NJ Sharing Network. Along
with all of the Foundation committees on which I sit,
I am very pleased to volunteer here.”
You can find Alberta on any given day around the
office completing mailings, answering phones and even
helping to proofread this magazine.
Nancy is another volunteer, who is happy to
spend some hours of her retirement helping us prepare
for programs at NJ Sharing Network. She is active
with us throughout the year, helping with the
upcoming 5K Celebration of Life, computer work and
answering phones.
“This is a great and supportive organization,” said
Nancy, who began volunteering three years ago. “I am
not part of a donor or a recipient family; I’m just
someone who really appreciates the good work that is
done here.”
Both Alberta and Nancy have received
volunteer training and are knowledgeable about
the organization’s mission to enhance and save
lives through organ and tissue donation.
“NJ Sharing Network is such a special place,” Nancy
added. “I am happy to help out in any way I can.”
For volunteer opportunities contact us at
volunteers@njsharingnetwork.org.
Join the conversation about
the power of donation!
SAVE THE DATE
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April 12, 2015
June 7, 2015
October 5, 2015
5K Celebration of Life
5K Celebration of Life &
USATF Certified Race
Golf Classic
Bergen Community College
Paramus, NJ
NJ Sharing Network
New Providence, NJ
Baltusrol Golf Club
Springfield, NJ
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for daily pictures and updates!