From January 1, 1988 thru September 10, 2010, NJ Sharing Network’s efforts have resulted in the recovery of over 20,000 organs and tissues.
“In our hearts and minds, we honor the life-saving work NJ Sharing Network does for our state every day of the year,” says Senator Kean. “This year in particular, we want to make a special recognition of their foresight in advocating for the recently enacted NJ Hero Act and for their success in increasing the number of lives that their work touches.”
NJ Sharing Network played a significant role in developing the Hero Act, which requires that public high school and college students receive organ donation education within their physical education curriculum. The State legislature passed the Hero Act in 2008 and the high school outreach was implemented in 2010. In assisting schools to meet the educational core requirements, NJ Sharing Network designed a comprehensive program, High School Heroes, for high school teachers to use in teaching their students about the importance and benefits of organ and tissue donation. The law also stipulates that all motor vehicle license recipients be asked if they wish to be an organ donor, which has resulted in consistently increasing organ donor registration rates.
From January 1, 1988 through September 10, 2010, 9,393 organs were recovered from 2,761 organ donors, and 159 organs were recovered for research by NJ Sharing Network, recognized as one of the most progressive and effective organ procurement organizations in the US. In addition, from January 1, 1994 through September 10, 2010, 10,786 tissues were recovered from 5,711 tissue donors.
“When someone receives the gift of life it does not only save them, it saves families, friends, and communities. The sheer enormity of this gift cannot be captured by mere words,” says Assemblywoman Munoz.
“I would like to thank Senator Kean for this tremendous honor,” says Joe Roth, President and Chief Executive Officer of NJ Sharing Network and past President of AOPO (Association of Organ Procurement Organizations). “Every day our staff make enormous professional and personal investments to fulfill NJ Sharing Network’s mission to save lives through organ and tissue donation. Our work is very rewarding in itself, but we are thrilled be recognized and I know I speak for the entire staff in accepting this Proclamation with great appreciation.”
Senator Kean has served in the New Jersey Senate since 2003, and has been the Minority Leader since 2008. From 2004 – 2007, he served as Minority Whip, and Deputy Whip in 2003. Prior to serving in the Senate, he was a member of the General Assembly from 2001 – 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Dartmouth College, and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Assemblywoman Munoz has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Skidmore College and a Master of Science as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from Hunter College.
NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally designated organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for New Jersey residents in need of life-saving transplants. For information about donation and transplantation in NJ, contact us at 1-800-SHARE-NJ or info@sharenj.org