(DENVER, CO) – Team Liberty, representing organ transplant recipients, living donors, and donor families from New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, earned more than 90 medals at the 2026 Transplant Games of America in Denver, Colorado.
The group competed in events including basketball, track and field, swimming, pickleball, cornhole, and trivia, joining thousands of participants from all 50 states.
The Transplant Games also set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of living organ donors and transplant recipients, with 966 participants assembled in one place.
Team Liberty is a program of the Sharing Network Foundation. It participates in the biennial Transplant Games and works year-round to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation and transplantation. More information is available at www.GoTeamLiberty.org.
According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and NJ Sharing Network, more than 100,000 Americans — including nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents — are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Learn more or register as a donor at www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
(NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ) – Six New Jersey high school students were awarded scholarships from the Sharing Network Foundation for their passion and dedication to raising awareness about organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The 2026 graduates were presented with their scholarship awards at NJ Sharing Network’s headquarters in New Providence.
The Sharing Network Foundation’s scholarships are made possible thanks to several of the organization’s family and partner funds:
• Daniel S. Buckiewicz Scholarship Fund – created in memory of organ and tissue donor Dan Buckiewicz to encourage students to have conversations about donation with their families and friends.
• Hearts for Emma Partner Fund – created in celebration of Emma Rothman’s lifesaving heart transplant to support high school education and donation advocacy efforts.
• Jim Rhatican Scholarship Fund – created in memory of Jim Rhatican, a NJ Sharing Network Volunteer, liver transplant recipient, and retired teacher and coach of 35 years.
• Riley’s Path – created in memory of organ donor Riley Kogen to provide financial assistance to transplant patients in times of crisis and to award scholarships to high school students and advocacy heroes.
The 2026 scholarship awardees are:
• Olivia Huttinot of Englewood, NJ (Dwight Morrow High School) received a scholarship from the Jim Rhatican Scholarship Fund. Olivia’s connection to organ and tissue donation stems from her personal experience as a kidney transplant recipient. Diagnosed at age four with severe kidney disease, she underwent extensive testing and care before it was confirmed that she required a kidney transplant. In a true act of love, her father became her living kidney donor, undergoing surgery alongside her. Following her transplant, Olivia faced a recovery that included ongoing medical care and a gradual return to school. Despite these challenges, she persevered academically and personally. Olivia reflects on her journey with deep gratitude for her family, her medical team, and the second chance at life she was given. Her experience continues to inspire her perspective and goals for the future. She will be attending St. John’s University in the Fall.
• Victoria Pribish of Old Bridge, NJ (Old Bridge High School) received a scholarship from the Riley’s Path Fund. Victoria’s perspective on organ and tissue donation was shaped by her father’s lifesaving heart transplant and the journey her family experienced alongside it. Her father, Mathew Pribish, a firefighter with the Linden Fire Department, was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome and later developed advanced heart failure. He endured multiple surgeries and complications, including years supported by mechanical heart devices. Victoria witnessed her family navigate the uncertainty of the transplant waiting list and the moment they received the call that a donor heart had become available. A successful transplant gave her father a second chance at life. Following his recovery, he returned to full active duty and now shares his experience to encourage others to register as donors. For Victoria, this experience strengthened her sense of gratitude and shaped her commitment to service and resilience. She will be attending Monmouth University in the Fall.
• Leyla Rolon of South Plainfield, NJ (South Plainfield High School) received a scholarship from the Riley’s Path Fund. Leyla formed her perspective on organ and tissue donation through her father’s need for a kidney transplant and her family’s experience navigating the transplant waiting list. When no immediate match became available, her family received life-changing news: her mother matched as a living donor and chose to donate her kidney to her husband. That decision saved his life and deeply shaped Leyla’s understanding of sacrifice, love, and living donation. She witnessed her parents move through diagnosis, surgery, and recovery, and she developed a lasting appreciation for how donation brings hope to families. Leyla now shares her family’s story to encourage donor registration and raise awareness of organ and tissue donation. She will be attending Seton Hall University in the Fall.
• Olivia Teta of Manasquan, NJ (Wall High School) received a scholarship from the Daniel S. Buckiewicz Scholarship Fund. Olivia built her interest in organ and tissue donation advocacy through her goal of becoming a nurse and her involvement in her school’s Donate Life Club. As she learned more about transplantation, she recognized the impact of donation, including the role living donors play in saving patients on the transplant waiting list. She took on a leadership role in the club and served as Vice President of its Executive Board, where she coordinated educational programming, school-wide awareness campaigns, and outreach initiatives such as a club t-shirt design, a rock garden display, and Donate Life Month activities. She also helped develop a promotional video highlighting the club’s mission. Olivia plans to study nursing at Monmouth University in the Fall.
• Jessica Theobald of Verona, NJ (Verona High School) received a scholarship from the Daniel S. Buckiewicz Scholarship Fund. Jessica’s commitment to organ and tissue donation advocacy developed through multiple family experiences and early exposure to healthcare. Her mother’s career as a nurse introduced Jessica to the importance of donation at a young age. Her grandfather also donated his corneas after his passing, further shaping her understanding of the gift of donation. Jessica later supported a loved one through a lung transplant journey, gaining a deeper perspective on the challenges of the waiting list and transplant process. She also witnessed a family honor their son’s wish to become an organ donor after his passing, reinforcing the importance of donor registration and family conversations. Jessica expanded her commitment to service by joining her local rescue squad as a youth volunteer, where she gained experience in emergency medical services. She also strengthened her leadership and community engagement through volunteer work with The Arc of Essex County and the NJ Elks. Jessica plans to study nursing at Ramapo College of New Jersey in the Fall.
• Grace Trinidad of Teaneck, NJ (Teaneck High School) received a scholarship from the Hearts for Emma Partner Fund. Grace developed her commitment to organ and tissue donation advocacy after her mother experienced a sudden, life-threatening illness that led to a lifesaving heart transplant. During her mother’s hospitalization, Grace witnessed the compassion and dedication of the nurses who supported her family, and that inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. She credits her mother’s recovery and the generosity of an organ donor and their family with shaping her belief in the importance of donation. Grace volunteers at NJ Sharing Network events, including the 5K Celebration of Life, and participates in educational outreach with her family. She aspires to become a labor and delivery nurse serving underserved communities and will be attending Siena University in the Fall.
The Sharing Network Foundation’s high school scholarship program provides an opportunity to recognize and award graduating high school seniors whose lives have been touched by organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Applicants were measured on academic achievement, community and volunteer efforts, extracurricular activities, and advocacy for organ and tissue donation. Since the high school scholarship program’s inception in 2011, more than $160,000 has been awarded to 85 dedicated student advocates.
“We are grateful for the generous support of our partner funds and their ongoing commitment to rewarding students who share a commitment to our lifesaving mission,” said Amanda Tibok, Executive Director of the Sharing Network Foundation. “We know that all of our scholarship awardees will continue as strong leaders educating others about donation and transplantation throughout their college years and beyond.”
Según la Red Unida para el Intercambio de Órganos (UNOS) y la Red de Intercambio de Nueva Jersey, más de 100 000 estadounidenses —entre ellos, casi 4000 residentes de Nueva Jersey— esperan actualmente un trasplante de órganos que les salve la vida. Para obtener más información sobre la donación de órganos y tejidos o para registrarse como donante, visite www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
GROUP PHOTO #1:
Recipients of the 2026 Sharing Network Foundation High School Scholarships, alongside representatives from the Sharing Network Foundation and its partner funds, gathered at NJ Sharing Network headquarters in New Providence to celebrate their commitment to organ and tissue donation advocacy.
(Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PHOTOS:
Olivia Huttinot of Englewood, NJ (Dwight Morrow High School); Victoria Pribish of Old Bridge, NJ (Old Bridge High School); Leyla Rolon of South Plainfield, NJ (South Plainfield High School); Olivia Teta of Wall, NJ (Wall High School); Jessica Theobald of Verona, NJ (Verona High School); Grace Trinidad of Teaneck, NJ (Teaneck High School)
NJ Sharing Network reports more lives saved than ever beforethanks to 283 organ donors in New Jersey who gave the gift of liferesulting in 670 life-saving organ transplants
Carolyn M. Welsh, the new President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network, the federally-designated nonprofit organization responsible for the recovery of donated organs and tissue in the state, announced the number of organ donors (283) and organs transplanted in a single year (670) reached all-time highs in 2022. These unprecedented totals mark significant increases over the previous records of 233 organ donors and 613 organs transplanted. 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, more lives were saved last year than ever before – ensuring others now have more time to share special moments with their loved ones,” said Welsh, who began to serve in her new role as President and CEO on January 1, 2023, after holding several leadership positions during her 24-year tenure at NJ Sharing Network. “We are deeply grateful for the exceptional efforts of our team members and healthcare partners. They are amazing people who understand that what we do is much more than a job – it is a unified mission to save lives and give hope to those waiting for a second chance at life through the miracle of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Together, we are unstoppable, motivated to take on all challenges, and focused on offering compassionate care and support to donor families during their most difficult times of grief.”
In 2022, the 670 organs transplanted included 350 kidneys (all-time high), 170 livers (all- time high), 71 hearts, 58 lungs, 20 pancreata and one intestine. In addition, 40,000 eye and tissue gifts enhanced the quality of life for those in need. Tissue donations include corneas, heart valves, skin grafts, bone grafts, saphenous veins, ligaments, and tendons. One organ donor can save eight lives, and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of over 75 people.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), an RWJBarnabas Health facility locatedin New Brunswick, had 33 organ donors in 2022 resulting in 102 organs transplanted – both are new records for the most ever in a single year by any hospital in New Jersey. The RWJBarnabas Health network of hospitals had 68 organ donors in 2022 resulting in 195 organs transplanted. Cooper University Hospital and Jersey Shore University Medical Center also set records with 26 donors recovered at each hospital placing them tied for second in the most donors recovered at a single hospital in a year. NJ Sharing Network proudly partners with the 57 hospitals in its service area and is thankful for their continued support in saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
According to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), nearly 4,000 people in New Jersey are on the organ transplant waiting list. However, Welsh believes the generosity of those in the Garden State is providing hope for the future. Welsh is eager to lead NJ Sharing Network in its bold vision for the future to save and enhance more lives than ever before. This includes achieving a goal of reaching 300 organ donors and 700 transplants in a single year by 2024.
“Less than 1% of people that die in a hospital can be an organ donor. People’s lives depend on us,” said Welsh. “We have developed strategic plans for growth that includes adding talent, resources, and programs to facilitate the donor process, support donor families, and increase our robust multicultural outreach and education efforts.”
Continuing to Connect with NJ’s Diverse Communities
NJ Sharing Network’s compassionate team is making personal connections with more families than ever before within local hospitals to offer the opportunity for their loved ones to become organ donors. Family approaches in 2022 increased by 11% over 2021. These tireless efforts are providing more families of every race and ethnicity the opportunity for donation – a precious gift during a tragic time.
NJ Sharing Network team members and volunteers have also boosted education and outreach efforts in diverse communities throughout the state. According to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), nearly 68% of the New Jersey residents waiting for a life-saving transplant are people of color. NJ Sharing Network earned the prestigious NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes Award in recognition of its #DonationNeedsDiversity awareness initiative, which is credited with building community trust and dispelling misinformation about donation and transplantation in urban, multicultural communities with the most residents waiting for transplant. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey also honored NJ Sharing Network with a “Champion of Diversity” award.
To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
Thanks to the generosity of New Jersey organ donors and their families, more lives were saved last year than ever before. The following are personal stories of a local organ and tissue donor hero and a transplant recipient:
STEPHANIE SMITH – Organ and Tissue Donor
On April 4, 2022, the untimely passing of Stephanie Smith, 24, of Jackson, NJ, shattered the hearts of her family and friends. The middle child of seven, Stephanie’s fun-loving spirit and energy always shined through. In addition to her warm personality, loved ones admired her many talents as a certified medical assistant, makeup artist and even an accomplished softball player.
“She was truly one of a kind and lived life to its fullest,” said Donna Smith, Stephanie’s mother. “She found joy in life’s precious moments together with family. Our family members would often call her ‘The Appetizer Queen’ because she loved going out to eat with everyone.”
While Donna and Wayne Smith continue to feel the loss of Stephanie each day, they find some comfort in knowing that a special part of her continues to live on as an organ donor. Stephanie’s donated heart, liver, pancreas, and kidneys saved the lives of four women. Her cornea donation also restored sight for another woman.
“I am thankful that I had discussions with Stephanie about organ and tissue donation,” said Donna. “Looking back and now seeing the impact that she made on others, I am happy that we supported her wishes. I believe that organ and tissue donation is something that everyone should discuss with their family.”
Wayne is also grateful for the care and support the family received from the medical team at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and the staff of NJ Sharing Network. Wayne recalls the moment when his family followed Stephanie’s wishes to be an organ and tissue donor.
“The hospital staff and the NJ Sharing Network team were phenomenal. No matter what we needed, they provided it,” said Wayne. “After Stephanie passed away, we agreed to move forward with donation and the hands of the clock in her room paused, rotated around, and stopped at that exact time of 5:50 p.m. We knew that was a sign from Stephanie that we were doing the right thing.”
LISA VECCHIONE – Heart Transplant Recipient
For many years, Lisa Vecchione of Springfield, NJ, suffered with shortness of breath and chest pain, but she ignored the signs that it could be a major health concern until she was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in 2004. This serious heart condition became more urgent in the months and years that followed and was compounded by her acute arthritis and two hip replacements.
“I felt so limited in what I could do, and I had to be extra careful throughout the pandemic,” said Lisa. “My husband is fit and active, and I felt like my condition benched him for many years because we could not live life to its fullest.”
Lisa’s strong faith helped provide her strength as she waited for a life-saving heart transplant. “I love the Lord with all my heart, and I prayed for a miracle,” said Lisa.
On June 19, 2022, Lisa’s prayers were answered as she received ‘the call’ that a heart was available for transplant. The following day, her transplant was a success, and she was on the fast track to recovery.
“When I woke up the next day, I had this brand-new gift beating in my chest,” said Lisa. “I remember I could breathe easier and think clearer. I used a walker for one day doing laps around the hospital floor with my therapists and then I was good to go without one.”
With her health and strength restored, Lisa is now staying active and looking ahead to her future. She has also made it a priority to volunteer for NJ Sharing Network and shares her story with others to encourage more people to register as organ and tissue donors.
“This gift has given me back to my family and loved ones,” said Lisa. “I am forever grateful to my heart donor and their family.”
In celebration of National Donate Life Month, join us LIVE on Facebook and YouTube on April 5 at 7:00pm for STORIES OF HOPE. Hear inspirational stories of courage and hope from those who have been touched by organ and tissue donation, including donor families, transplant recipients, patients waiting and faith leaders. Bring your questions and be part of the LIVE conversation!
Hosted by NJSN Community Services Specialist and Double-Lung Transplant Recipient, E. Denise Peoples, our evening’s panelists include:
Marcia McGowan – Donor Family Member
Sam Prince – Heart Recipient Pastor Cedric McKoy – Faith Leader and Advocate
Shawn Banks – Currently waiting for a life-saving lung transplant
Anika Bhatnagar – Volunteer Amy Keefe – Manager of Authorization and Family Services, NJ Sharing Network and Donor Family Member
