National Donate Life Month in April features activities to encourage people to register as organ and tissue donors and to honor those who have saved lives through the gift of donation. We are leading a wide variety of community awareness activities and sharing inspiring stories of residents and families touched by the miracle of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
“Here in New Jersey, National Donate Life Month is a special time to honor our organ and tissue donor heroes, celebrate those who received a life-saving transplant, and offer hope to those waiting for the gift of life,” said Carolyn M. Welsh, President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network. “Our caring and compassionate team of dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners are unstoppable in their efforts to help educate others and dispel any myths and misinformation about organ and tissue donation in our diverse communities throughout New Jersey.”
Currently, there are over 100,000 Americans – nearly 4,000 of whom live in New Jersey – waiting for a life-saving transplant, according to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
Alyssa D’Addio, Vice President of Hospital and Community Services, NJ Sharing Network, believes the generosity of those in the Garden State is providing hope for the future. In 2022, the number of organ donors (283) and organs transplanted in a single year (670) reached all-time highs. This also marked the fourth consecutive year NJ Sharing Network has reported new records in the number of organ donors, underscoring the clear trend of increased support for organ donation in the Garden State.
“Thanks to the generosity of New Jersey organ donors and their families, we are saving more lives than ever before – ensuring others now have more time to share special moments with their
loved ones,” said D’Addio.
To learn more about National Donate Life Month, get involved and download resources, visit NJSharingNetwork.org/DLM.