Caitlin Nelson
Organ and Tissue Donor

Caitlin Nelson, of Clark, NJ, was a selfless, loving, amazing, warm-hearted young woman who was only one month shy of celebrating her 21^st birthday when she tragically passed away. Caitlin’s loved ones will always remember her brilliant smile that had a special way of lighting up a room. Caitlin was a student hoping to become a pediatric oncology social worker. She was also a fervent supporter of organ donation and strongly encouraged her family and friends to register as donors. Caitlin once told her mother to donate her organs if anything ever happened to her because she said someone could use them to continue living life to its fullest. After she passed away, Caitlin gave the gift of life by donating her heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, and liver. She also donated over 200 bone and tissue grafts to enhance the lives of many.

Cynthia Von Schmidt
Organ and Tissue Donor

Cynthia (Cindy) Von Schmidt of New Egypt, NJ, passed away in February 2016 of a brain aneurysm. Her husband, two children and loved ones will always remember her as “the most generous woman who always did everything that she could to offer her hand to those who needed it most.” Besides caring for her family and helping others, Cindy was an avid skier, a beach lover, and, most of all, a baker. Cindy would spend months baking Christmas cookies for family and friends. She would also decorate and ship them all over the world - from the mountains of California to our U.S. military bases around the globe! Cindy also organized donation drives and fundraisers for families in crisis and helped rescue dogs. As an organ and tissue donor, Cindy gave the ultimate gift - saving four lives and enhancing the lives of many others.

Kevin and Marisa Aspell
Transplant Recipient and Living Donor

Kevin P. Aspell, of Kendall Park, NJ, lives life to its fullest by volunteering, hiking, golfing and feverishly rooting for the Princeton Tigers soccer team. But many find it hard to believe that Kevin struggled with serious health issues for much of his life. On three occasions, Kevin was called to prepare for transplant, but the kidneys were not a match. His wife Marisa stepped up to offer one of her own kidneys as a living donor. Kevin’s kidney transplant in December 1999 and a successful pancreas transplant 12 years later fully restored his health. “I want to give hope to those on the waiting list for transplant and encourage everyone to register as organ and tissue donors to help save lives,” said Kevin. “Everyone should understand that once their life has passed, organ donation is an opportunity to help give other people a chance to live their life. It’s just the right thing to do.”

Linda J.S. Finnegan
Organ and Tissue Donor

Linda J.S. Finnegan of Stirling, NJ, was full of passion, love and joy. She dedicated her life to helping others recognize their unique potential. Linda taught Physical Education at St. Vincent de Paul School and was proud to be ACE Gold Certified for Group Aerobic Instruction. She founded Linda’s Just Stay Fit and developed the program “Girl Power” for the YMCA. Before her tragic accidental death in 2016, Linda was in the final phases of creating an intergenerational enrichment program, and she had recently earned her certification as a Nutritionist and Lifestyle Coach. Linda’s legacy of selflessly caring for others now lives on! Her donated lungs, kidneys and liver saved the lives of several people in need of transplants. Linda also enhanced the lives of 75 people as a tissue and cornea donor.

Jordan Greene
Living Donor

Jordan of Haskell knew that his father Sean’s life was in danger due to a rare kidney disease. “I love my dad so very much, and I couldn't stand to see him suffer,” said Jordan. Last year, just in time for Father’s Day, Jordan stepped up and gave his dad the ultimate gift by donating one of his kidneys to help save his life. Jordan and his father underwent surgery together, side-by-side. Today, Jordan and Sean are both doing great! Jordan graduated from the University of Hartford, and Sean is living a much happier and healthier lifestyle. We as a family have grown closer than ever thanks to this,” said Jordan. “It felt like I was giving life to the person who gave it to me. I hope that anyone who considers donating does it because it can really change someone’s life for the better!”

Greta Clausen
Transplant Recipient

Greta and her twin brother were born at 38 weeks and spent a short time in the NICU. A seemingly healthy baby, Greta was fussy and missing milestones. One night, she swelled up and was rushed to the hospital. That’s when doctors diagnosed her with a genetic cardiomyopathy which resulted in heart failure. At only eight months old, Greta underwent a successful heart transplant that saved her life. Now more than a decade later, she is a healthy and energetic teen. She loves to spend time with family and friends and looks forward to making money babysitting. Greta also uses her Instagram account to share her journey and educate others. Her first post shows her preparing to have blood drawn with the caption, “I have to get blood work sometimes to check my medication to keep me healthy. It’s no big deal.”

Emma Navarro
Transplant Recipient

Emma of Lake Hiawatha was born with a congenital heart defect that evolved into a serious life-threatening condition as she grew into her teenage years. She suffered each day with abnormal heart rhythms and difficulty breathing. Ultimately, a life-saving transplant was needed when her heart would no longer function properly. Through the miracle of donation and transplantation, Emma is thriving today and is living a happy and healthy life. She now enjoys swimming, playing volleyball, and spending time with her family and friends – moments that she recognizes could never be possible without the gift of life that she received from her selfless donor.

Stephen Hasbrouck
Organ Donor

"When my son Stephen passed away suddenly at age 29 it was such a terrible tragedy, but knowing that Steve always wanted to be an organ donor if anything ever happened to him made our decision easier. Out of the darkness of his passing, his light will still shine on forever in the lives of those he saved. He was finishing his college degree in Psychology when he passed away, and had worked and volunteered in animal rescue and humane law enforcement. He had a very big heart for both his fellow man and all God's creatures and it brings us comfort to know that he was able to bring life and light to someone else during our darkest day. Organ donation is truly a blessing to both the recipients and the donor family." - Maryann K, Colonia, NJ

Rabbi Ephraim Simon
Living Donor

Rabbi Simon of Chabad of Bergen County in Teaneck has spent his life trying to inspire others to live better lives, and his own selfless actions have served as a shining example to others. He is one of only a handful of living donors to have ever donated both a kidney and a part of his liver to save the lives of two others. The story of Rabbi Simon’s overwhelming generosity went viral, inspiring dozens of others to come forward for living organ donation. “As a rabbi, I do a lot of talking about love, doing things for others and altruism,” said Rabbi Simon. “It’s something we all speak about, but how often do we have the opportunity to really set ourselves aside for another? This was my opportunity to do that, and I didn’t want to let it go.”

Lakisha Bray
Donor Family

Lakisha of Plainfield is an incredibly strong and resilient woman who is spreading the importance of organ donation through her story of losing her daughter and sister. Lakisha’s daughter, Talea, was born with cerebral palsy and passed away just before her 21st birthday, but she was able to save three lives with her donations. Just six months later, Lakisha’s sister Tabitha died while waiting for an intestinal transplant. “I was touched on both sides - I was able to give the gift of life and had a family member not be able to receive the gift life,” said Lakisha. “I became an advocate for organ donation to honor both of their memories.”

Sarah Steinhauser
Transplant Recipient

Sarah of Montville was born with a bronchi condition that made it difficult to catch her breath and, ultimately, a respiratory virus seriously compromised her immune system. Her life-saving double-lung transplant in 2018 gave Sarah a new lease on life. She will never forget the moment when her breathing tube was removed and, for the first time, took a deep breath without assistance thanks to her donor’s gifts. “It was mind blowing. It almost felt like a dream,” said Sarah. “Tougher than the physical recovery was accepting that I didn’t need that breathing tube.” Today, Sarah continues to monitor her health, but she is living an active and busy lifestyle and looks forward to a bright future of growth and achievement.

Nikhil Badlani
Tissue Donor

Nikhil of West Orange was a talented, fun-loving, caring and compassionate 11-year-old boy who loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was not just as a straight-A student and a gifted musician, but a loyal and loving young man who was always ready and willing to help others. His smile was infectious, and his sweetness was remarkable. In 2011, Nikhil was killed in a motor vehicle accident involving a driver who ran a stop sign. Following Nikhil’s tragic death, his family donated his corneas and heart valves, providing both the gift of sight and the gift of life to others. “He always saw the good in the world. He saw the world as beautiful,” said Sangeeta Badlani, Nikhil’s mother. “We are happy that someone out there can now see because of Nikhil’s gift.”

Barbara Kuzminski
Donor Family

I am the grandmother of Jonathon Paul Kuzminski, who was 20 months old when he tragically passed away on May 13, 2011. I recall being at St. Peter's University Medical Center when my son and his wife came out of a hospital room. All I remember my son saying was, "Mom, I couldn't say 'NO,' I could not let another family lose a child." I then realized what he was talking about. In their worst time of grief, the loss of their youngest of four children, they donated Jonathon's organs. That day Jonathon saved two children. A little boy the same age received Jonathon's liver and a 16-year-old girl received both kidneys. 

Donation means the Gift of Life. The year, Jonathon passed away, we got to meet his liver recipient, Wyatt. When I saw that little boy walking, running and laughing I was so moved. 

To me, it started the healing process. I had something to live for and to give back. I, along with my daughter Stephanie, started TEAM JONATHON and participated at the NJ Sharing Network 5K Celebration of Life. We spoke at events, hosted table displays, gave out materials about organ donation, etc. Whatever was needed. We even marched in Bayonne's annual St. Patrick's Day parade. However, my 36-year-old daughter, my co-captain Stephanie, passed away in 2019 after a lengthy illness. She is now with her hero, her nephew Jonathon.

Rev. Dr. Valerie M. Griffin
Transplant Recipient

Rev. Valerie, Chaplain at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, is loved and admired by all those who know her. She truly practices what she preaches and she never lost hope while waiting nearly three years for a life-saving kidney transplant. In November 2020, Rev. Valerie received the call that she had been waiting for! Her transplant surgery was a success, and she is now feeling healthier and stronger each day. "I am forever grateful for my donor who unselfishly gave me the gift of life. There are no words to fully express my deepest gratitude. This gift is like no other, and I will always keep my donor and his family in my thoughts and prayers.”

Roberto De Jesus Perez

Organ Donor

Roberto of North Bergen was an inspiration to all who knew him. As a student at William Paterson University, his career goal was to work for the United Nations so he could help people from Latin countries. Tragically, Roberto’s life was cut short when he passed away at the age of 18 as a result of a brain aneurysm. Roberto’s caring spirit lives on and he will always be honored for the five lives he saved through organ donation. “Roberto was an angel put on this earth for a short period of time, but the impact he created on people who knew him and the lives he saved is eternal,” said Maria Perez, Roberto’s mother. “The bonds I have created with the recipients of Roberto’s organs, family members who have lost someone dear to them and people in need of organs gives me back a piece of my heart that I lost.”

Dr. Patrick Buddle

Living Donor

After almost 18 years and in retrospect, being a living donor has had a tremendously positive effect on my life,” said Dr. Buddle of Manasquan. “My hope for the future is that I continue to be a positive example and remain active in educating others about the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation.”  Dr. Patrick Buddle exemplifies what it means to dedicate a lifetime of caring for others. In addition to providing world-class care to his patients for more than three decades, Dr. Buddle also donated one of his kidneys to save the life of a fellow physician. Today, Dr. Buddle continues to live an active lifestyle. He participates in our 5K Celebration of Life annually and will be running on Team Buck this September. He also serves as a strong and visible advocate for donation and is a member of our Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Vernell Williams, Ashley Startek and Deborah Martinez

Transplant Recipient and Donor Family

Vernell Williams of Paterson has spent his entire life helping others. In 1997, Vernell and his longtime friend Anthony Davis co-founded the city’s Nifty Lions youth football team that has enabled hundreds of youngsters to blossom by learning discipline and teamwork. In 2015, it was Vernell who needed support as congestive heart failure and other serious health issues put his life at risk. Thanks to the generosity of an organ and tissue donor, Vernell’s life was saved through successful heart and kidney transplants. Three years later, Vernell had the opportunity to meet the family of his donor, Victor Startek. “When I met Victor’s mother, Deborah Martinez, and his twin sister, Ashley, I cried,” said Vernell. “I’ll be forever grateful and indebted to the Startek family. Victor literally saved my life.” Vernell now serves as an active volunteer in our local diverse communities to educate residents about NJ Sharing Network’s life-saving mission.

Alexander Patriarca

Organ Donor

When Alexander Patriarca, 24, of Point Pleasant Beach, gave the gift of life, his parents Michael and Lucy Patriarca hoped to one day meet the recipients of their son’s gifts. With the assistance of NJ Sharing Network, the Patriarca family united with two of the four individuals whose lives Alex saved. In December 2019, they met with his heart and kidney recipient, Bill Hoffman. Surrounded by family and friends, they greeted one another with hugs and tears, exchanged small gifts, and took turns listening to Alex’s heart beat in Bill’s chest. Two months later, they united with Alex’s lung recipient Ed Walsh, and his wife, Tammy. The day Alex died was the Walsh’s son’s birthday, and Ed’s restored health was the best gift the young man could ever receive. “Out of our tragedy those families had a triumph,” said Michael. “I think it’s important that we connected with them and understand their stories.”

Dawn Burke

Transplant Recipient

Dawn Burke of Keyport had been fighting the good fight against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a disease that scars the lungs for unknown reasons. But her irreversible condition forced her to rely on oxygen therapy and she could hardly take a few steps without losing her breath. While Dawn waited for a life-saving lung transplant, she always kept a ‘don’t worry about a thing’ attitude and turned to the power of prayer and positive thinking. Dawn simply never lost hope, and the call finally came for her transplant. In the operating room at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, her transplant team played Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” - subtitled “Don’t Worry About a Thing” - in honor of Dawn’s love for music, particularly reggae. Today, Dawn is enjoying live to its fullest and it is her mission to spread the word about the gift she received in the hope of inspiring and encouraging others on the waiting list, providing reassurance as a living, breathing example.

Basil Vorolieff

Transplant Recipient

Basil Vorolieff’s life-saving liver transplant in 2019 changed his perspective on life, and he has dedicated much of his time to helping others. Although Basil, a resident of of Hawthorne, has shared his story with individuals and groups countless times, he still gets emotional talking about his experience. “I think everyone wants to do something that’s heroic in their lifetime,” said Basil. “What would be more heroic than becoming an organ donor and making your last act on earth saving a life?” Basil is also well-recognized in our transplant community for competing in the Transplant Games, winning several medals in darts, golf and corn hole. Basil sent one of his medals to his donor family as a symbol of his gratitude. This helped establish a strong connection and Basil has even met the husband of his liver donor.