Thousands of people gathered in New Providence last weekend to support organ and tissue donation during NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life Walk and USATF Certified Race. The event, sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health, is one of the Garden State’s largest charitable 5K events. Organ and tissue transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, hospital partners, and volunteers participated to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
In addition to the 5K race and walk, attendees enjoyed music, dancing, food, refreshments, games, and activities for children. The June 9 event followed NJ Sharing Network’s successful May 19 5K Celebration of Life event in Ocean Grove, sponsored by Hackensack Meridian Health.
Funds raised by participants support the Sharing Network Foundation's mission to increase lives saved through clinical advancement, family support, public awareness, and education. More than $1.5 million has been raised thus far in 2024 for this campaign.
Since its inception in 2011 in New Providence, the NJ Sharing Network Foundation has raised over $12 million to support NJ Sharing Network's work in recovering and placing donated organs and tissues for New Jersey residents awaiting transplantation.
Victor DiSanto, chair of the New Providence 5K Celebration of Life event shared his personal connection: “We come together because all of us have been touched by donation and transplantation in some way,” DiSanto said. “My son Joe is alive thanks to a heart transplant he received 18 years ago. None of this happens without our angel – Joe’s organ donor Natalie and her amazing family.”
There are over 100,000 Americans – nearly 4,000 from New Jersey – waiting for a lifesaving transplant. One organ donor can save eight lives and enhance over 75 others' lives. For more information or to join the National Donate Life Organ and Tissue Donor Registry visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
Photo Credit: NJ Sharing Network Foundation
