‘5K Celebration of Life’ brings together organ donors and recipients
Since its inception in 2011, the New Jersey Sharing Network nonprofit has raised nearly $12 million and seen more than 90,000 participants in their events.
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The New Jersey Sharing Network held its annual 5K Celebration of Life in New Providence Sunday morning, bringing together organ donors and their recipients for a fun-filled day.
Since its inception in 2011, the Sharing Network nonprofit has raised nearly $12 million and seen more than 90,000 participants in their events.
More than 10,000 participated Sunday, which is one of the Garden State's largest and most recognized charitable events.
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"This is a beautiful event with all of these people who have the same exact story, and you won't meet a more genuine group of people," said Lorie Rodimer, of Tyler's Tight Lines.
"Donor families that were supported through the process of donation, recipients that have received a transplant, hospital partners, our staff are here," said Carolyn Welsh, the president and CEO of the New Jersey Sharing Network.
The goal is to raise awareness and bring in more donations to help 100,000 people nationwide who are waiting for a life-saving transplant. About 4,000 of those people are in New Jersey.
Throughout the event, people found teams that were supporting a donor or recipient. One of those teams is Tyler's Tight Lines. Tyler died several years ago following a car accident – but his legacy lives on through his organ donations.
"Tyler has saved three people with his liver and kidneys, and since then, I've learned that he saved 16 people with his skin donation, two people with his heart valves," Rodimer said.
One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of 75 others.
"I think it's a really good thing to give the greatest gift, which is life," Bryant said.
