(NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ) – The Sharing Network Foundation is proud to announce the honorees of its 2026 Health Sciences Scholarships, awarded to eight exceptional college students from New Jersey who are pursuing careers in healthcare and are dedicated to advancing the lifesaving field of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Funded by NJ Sharing Network’s Employee Giving Campaign, the scholarship program reflects the commitment of NJ Sharing Network team members to fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals who will play a critical role in saving and enhancing lives. This year’s scholarship winners are:
Amber Astalos – Hamilton, NJ | Mercer County Community College, Major: Nursing
Amber’s passion for nursing is deeply connected to the legacy of her childhood best friend, Hailey Palumbo, who died in a car accident at age 15. Hailey’s family made the selfless decision to donate her organs and tissue, ultimately saving and improving more than 40 lives. Amber has since become an advocate for donation and has met Hannah, the recipient of Hailey’s liver. That meeting transformed organ donation from an idea into something deeply personal and real. Now pursuing a nursing degree while working as a Critical Care Technician, Amber hopes to honor Hailey’s legacy by providing compassionate care and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Christopher Bryant, Vice Chair of the Sharing Network Foundation Board of Trustees; Amber Astalos, 2026 Sharing Network Foundation Health Sciences Scholarship winner; Janet Zanetich, Manager of Philanthropy of the Sharing Network Foundation; and Debbie Prince, Chair of the Sharing Network Foundation Board of Trustees. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
Clirver Farrow – Woodbridge, NJ | University of Toledo, Major: Masters in Transplantation & Donation Sciences
Clirver’s commitment to organ donation began more than 20 years ago, when her stepfather was awaiting a kidney transplant. That experience inspired a lifelong passion for healthcare and transplantation. Today, Clirver works as a Family Services Coordinator, supporting donor families and educating communities about the lifesaving impact of donation. She has witnessed both the profound grief of donor families and the renewed hope experienced by transplant recipients, further deepening her dedication to the field. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and is pursuing a master’s degree in in Transplantation and Donation Sciences. She hopes to build on her experience in the field by supporting families, advocating for donation, and improving lives.
PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Clirver Farrow, 2026 Sharing Network Foundation Health Sciences Scholarship winner; and Janet Zanetich, Manager of Philanthropy of the Sharing Network Foundation. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
Erica Hall – Piscataway, NJ | Chamberlain University, Major: Nursing
Erica’s passion for healthcare was shaped by her aunt’s experience with kidney disease and transplantation. Although her aunt ultimately did not survive after receiving a transplant, her journey showed Erica the hope and possibility transplantation can provide. Today, Erica works in dialysis, caring for patients facing kidney failure and helping them understand transplantation as a potential lifesaving option. Her daily interactions with patients have given her a firsthand understanding of the physical and emotional challenges of kidney disease and strengthened her commitment to patient education and advocacy. Erica hopes to provide compassionate care, empower patients and families, and help others find hope during some of their most challenging moments.
PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Christopher Bryant, Vice Chair of the Sharing Network Foundation Board of Trustees; Erica Hall, 2026 Sharing Network Foundation Health Sciences Scholarship winner; Janet Zanetich, Manager of Philanthropy of the Sharing Network Foundation; and Debbie Prince, Chair of the Sharing Network Foundation Board of Trustees. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
Katherine Marino – Toms River, NJ | Chamberlain University, Major: Nursing (MSN)
Katherine is a registered nurse pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner. Her work as a hospital liaison for NJ Sharing Network has given her a unique perspective on the role healthcare professionals play in donation and transplantation. Katherine supports donor families, collaborates with healthcare teams, and promotes donation through community outreach and Donate Life Month activities. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to patient- and family-centered care, particularly during some of life’s most difficult moments. As a future Nurse Practitioner, she hopes to combine clinical expertise with advocacy and compassionate care, particularly in critical care and transplant-related settings.
PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Christopher Bryant, Vice Chair of the Sharing Network Foundation Board of Trustees; Katherine Marino, 2026 Sharing Network Foundation Health Sciences Scholarship winner, and her daughter Elena; and Carolyn M. Welsh, President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
Lauren O’Leary – Manasquan, NJ | Georgian Court University, Major: Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
For Lauren, organ donation gave her life in a way she never expected. Her Uncle Timmy developed kidney disease and received two kidney transplants before ultimately needing a living donor. Lauren’s father was the only family member who was a match and donated his kidney to his brother. While recovering from the surgery, Lauren’s father was cared for by a nurse who would later become Lauren’s mother. Their relationship eventually blossomed into a family of their own, giving Lauren an especially personal connection to the gift that changed her family’s life. Inspired by generations of nurses in her family, Lauren is pursuing an accelerated nursing degree and hopes to make a similar impact on others. She is dedicating her education to her late Uncle Timmy, whose resilience, humor, and journey continue to inspire her.
PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Amanda Tibok, Executive Director of the Sharing Network Foundation; Lauren O’Leary, 2026 Sharing Network Foundation Health Sciences Scholarship winner; and Christopher Bryant, Vice Chair of the Sharing Network Foundation Board of Trustees. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
Alexander Rausch – Tinton Falls, NJ | Case Western Reserve University, Major: Biochemistry
Alexander is a biochemistry student at Case Western Reserve University with a passion for improving the future of organ transplantation. Through his research, he is exploring new ways to evaluate donor hearts, with the goal of improving transplant outcomes and helping ensure the generous gift of donation has the greatest possible impact. His commitment extends beyond the lab. As a volunteer with the Transplant House of Cleveland, Alexander has connected with transplant recipients and their families, deepening his understanding of the people and experiences behind the science. By bringing together research, service and a commitment to the transplant community, Alexander hopes to advance the field, honor the gift of donation and make a meaningful difference for those whose lives depend on transplantation.
PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Amanda Tibok, Executive Director of the Sharing Network Foundation; Alexander Rausch, 2026 Sharing Network Foundation Health Sciences Scholarship winner; Christopher Bryant, Vice Chair of the Sharing Network Foundation Board of Trustees; and Janet Zanetich, Manager of Philanthropy of the Sharing Network Foundation. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
Andre Silvera – Hawthorne, NJ | Rutgers University, Major: Biomedical Engineering
Andre’s interest in healthcare was shaped by his family’s experiences with serious health conditions and his desire to find new ways to restore health and function. His connection to NJ Sharing Network began in 2013 through the 5K Celebration of Life, where he witnessed firsthand how organ donation can create a lasting legacy for donor families while giving recipients a second chance at life. Those early experiences helped shape his interest in addressing some of the challenges that limit access to transplantation. Now studying Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers University, Andre is particularly interested in developing artificial organs and tissue that could one day help address the shortage of donor organs. He hopes to contribute to innovations that could expand the possibilities of transplantation and improve the lives of future patients.
PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Andre Silvera, 2026 Sharing Network Foundation Health Sciences Scholarship winner; and Janet Zanetich, Manager of Philanthropy of the Sharing Network Foundation. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
Tyrell Weir – Lumberton, NJ | Rutgers University–Newark, Major: Nursing
Tyrell’s passion for nursing and organ donation is rooted in his mother’s lifesaving lung transplant. Witnessing her long wait for a donor and the transformation that followed showed him the impact donation can have on an entire family. Her transplant gave Tyrell more time with his mother and strengthened his desire to support other patients and families facing life-changing health challenges. As a nursing student, Tyrell is committed to compassionate, individualized care and health education. He plans to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with a focus on improving access to mental healthcare in underserved communities. While balancing a demanding academic schedule and supporting his mother’s recovery, Tyrell also takes on leadership roles advocating for nursing students and his community.
PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Janet Zanetich, Manager of Philanthropy of the Sharing Network Foundation; E. Denise Peoples, Manager of Strategic Partnerships at NJ Sharing Network; Christopher Bryant, Vice Chair of the Sharing Network Foundation Board of Trustees; Tyrell Weir, 2026 Sharing Network Foundation Scholarship winner; Tyrell’s mother Dr. Shanda Johnson; and Debbie Prince, Chair of the Sharing Network Foundation Board of Trustees. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
“These remarkable scholarship awardees inspire us with their dedication to making a difference in the lives of others,” said Amanda Tibok, Executive Director of the Sharing Network Foundation. “Each student brings a unique perspective and personal connection to this important work. We are proud to invest in their education and support their development as the next generation of healthcare professionals. We look forward to seeing how they will carry their experiences, knowledge, and compassion into their future careers.”
The Sharing Network Foundation’s Health Sciences Scholarship Program is open to New Jersey residents currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university and majoring in fields such as nursing, social work, medical technology, biology, or other health sciences. Applicants are required to demonstrate a connection to organ and tissue donation and transplantation through personal experience, advocacy efforts, or professional aspirations. For more information about the Sharing Network Foundation’s scholarships and other programs, visit www.SharingNetworkFoundation.org/Scholarship.
According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), more than 100,000 Americans — including more than 3,000 New Jerseyans — are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, while one tissue donor can enhance the lives of more than 75 people.
To learn more or to register as an organ and tissue donor, visit NJ Sharing Network’s website at www.NJSharingNetwork.org.