(PATERSON, N.J.) – Residents and neighbors across Paterson and surrounding communities are invited to celebrate National Minority Donor Awareness Month at NJ Sharing Network’s free Live Healthy & Move community event on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vera Ames Community Park, 118 Rosa Parks Blvd., Paterson.
The free event will feature health screenings, fitness activities, nutrition education, music, live performances, children’s activities, community resources, and information about the lifesaving impact of organ and tissue donation. Designed for all ages, Live Health & Move encourages healthy lifestyles while bringing together local organizations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the community.
The event is part of NJ Sharing Network’s statewide observance of National Minority Donor Awareness Month, which honors the generosity of multicultural organ and tissue donors and their families while raising awareness about the critical need for more registered organ and tissue donors in diverse communities. Several local organizations, including St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, the City of Paterson, and Diabetes Foundation, Inc., will be on hand to share health and wellness resources, offer educational information, and provide giveaways for attendees.
Born and raised in Paterson, E. Denise Peoples, Manager of Strategic Partnerships at NJ Sharing Network and a double-lung transplant recipient, leads community outreach efforts throughout the year in schools, faith-based organizations, and neighborhood associations. Her personal transplant journey inspires her commitment to promoting healthy living and increasing awareness about organ and tissue donation throughout New Jersey.
“Live Healthy & Move brings together health, wellness, and community in a fun and welcoming environment,” said Peoples. “We’re excited to return to Paterson and connect families with valuable health resources while sharing the importance of organ and tissue donation. Thanks to the support of our community partners, this event reflects what we can accomplish together to build healthier communities.”
Nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant, and approximately 67% are people of color, according to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). One organ donor can save up to eight lives, while one tissue donor can enhance the lives of more than 75 people.
National Minority Donor Awareness Month also shines a light on the health conditions that disproportionately affect many multicultural communities including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease—conditions that can increase the need for lifesaving organ transplants. The observance encourages families to have conversations about organ and tissue donation while promoting healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.
“When we come together as a community to prioritize our health and have honest conversations about organ and tissue donation, we can make a lasting difference,” said Peoples. “Every person who chooses to register as an organ and tissue donor has the potential to give someone else a second chance at life, and every healthy choice we make today helps strengthen our communities for tomorrow.”
Throughout August, NJ Sharing Network will host and participate in community events across New Jersey in recognition of National Minority Donor Awareness Month. The organization’s website and social media platforms will feature information about local activities, educational resources, videos, downloadable materials, and ways to get involved. For additional information about the event and National Minority Donor Awareness Month activities, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org/Events.