Education & Outreach
Faith-Based Outreach
Most religions in the United States support organ and tissue donation or respect the individual choices of their members. Donation is viewed by many religions as a compassionate act of charity in support of human life.
While National Donor Sabbath officially occurs in November, NJ Sharing Network encourages faith-based outreach throughout the year.
NJ Sharing Network is available to provide assistance in developing an outreach program for your faith community.
Here are some simple ways you can make a difference:
- Share life-saving message with your congregation or contact NJ Sharing Network to have a transplant recipient or donor family member speak briefly at one of your services.
- Request a NJ Sharing Network volunteer to host a registration drive at your house of worship following services.
- Provide informational materials at services and events, and include a message in your bulletin and newsletter.
- Include an organ and tissue donor registry link to www.NJSharingNetwork.org on your website and Facebook page.
National Donor Sabbath
During National Donor Sabbath, held each November two weekends before Thanksgiving, faith-based communities come together with the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration to bring attention to organ and tissue donation.
Leaders from temples, churches, mosques and other places of worship educate and guide members of their communities through the personal decision to give life. Faith-based communities are encouraged to provide members a clear statement on organ donation, share information about the urgent need for donors, support those waiting for transplants, acknowledge donations during funeral services and more.
Download special materials designed for our Faith-Based Partners.
For more information or to request materials about National Donor Sabbath, please contact Jan Hines at jhines@njsharingnetwork.org.
Funeral Directors
NJ Sharing Network works with funeral homes to assure that the family's wish to donate and their desire for a meaningful funeral can be fulfilled. We accomplish this by communicating before and after the recovery, about issues such as timing and technique.
When the donor family has selected a funeral home prior to the recovery, the Funeral Home Liaison or a designee will notify the funeral home with the logistics of the recovery. A follow up call will also be made to the funeral home by the Liaison within one week.
For more information, please contact Wendy Rothschild, Funeral Home and Medical Examiner Liaison, at wrothschild@njsharingnetwork.org or call 800-742-7365 or 908-516-5400.
First Responders
“Legacy of Heroes” is a partnership that unites law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS workers in their commitment to save lives by registering to be organ and tissue donors and spreading this life-saving message.
The initiative began as a tribute to fallen police detective Marc DiNardo and the many others who continued to save lives, even in death, by becoming organ and tissue donors.
To honor their legacy, as well as celebrate those who have received life-saving transplants, NJ Sharing Network is collaborating with police, fire and EMS locals to spread the word among their memberships.
Please reach out to Jackie Lue Raia at 908-516-5686 to find out more about how you and your local can get involved.