Bike ride to promote organ donor network. Woman in need of double lung transplant is an advocate

BY LAURIE GORDON
HOPE — Motorcycle kickstands went up at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, and despite a little rain, the day was about awareness and celebrating life. The NJ Sharing Network is a vital non-profit organization that links organ donors with those in need of a particular organ. The organization spread the word and built awareness with a breakfast featuring organ recipients speaking, followed by a motorcycle ride from Tramontin Harley Davidson/Honda in Hope, around the area and concluded with an Octoberfest celebration at The Inn at Millrace Pond.
More than 120,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving transplant and nearly 5,000 live right here in New Jersey. Nationwide, 21 people die each day waiting on this list.
For Terrie De Fabritis of Stillwater, the NJ Sharing Network is the difference between life and death. Fabritis is awaiting a double lung transplant, and she needs it soon.
“I am grateful that I have been blessed with the lifeline of being listed with the NJ Sharing Network,” she said. “Without this lifeline – that getting to has been a journey--- I will not survive. I am a high sensitivity patient needing lungs to continue my life. God willing they will be received at the perfect time. Thank you to the NJ Sharing Network for the hope and love and for the opportunity to show my donor's family the honor of living and giving. I am so proud that I've always checked the donor box.”
NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally designated organ procurement organization committed to saving and enhancing lives through the miracle of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The NJ Sharing Network is responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for the nearly 5,000 New Jersey residents currently awaiting transplantation. We are also part of the national recovery system, which is in place for the more than 122,000 people on waiting lists. They operate 24/7/365 with a team of over 150 highly trained and dedicated members on staff. Its Governing and Foundation Boards are made up of a diverse group of individuals from both public and private sectors, across a variety of disciplines, and many of whom have been touched by donation including donor families and recipients. They bring great experience and insight to the important and life-saving work that we do.
The NJ Sharing Network works closely with hospitals and transplant centers, and increasing awareness with education tools and the media, the number of organs recovered in New Jersey for transplant has quadrupled since NJ Sharing Network was founded. Through supporting our hospital partners, medical examiners and funeral directors in the identification, referral and care of potential organ and tissue donors, we realize our mutual goal of saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation. Their fully accredited “state of the art” transplant laboratory performs histocompatibility testing of organ donors and recipients. The laboratory also plays a critical role in the pre and post-transplant evaluation, and successful transplantation of highly sensitized individuals who would be difficult to treat under general conditions. The Family Services Division provides care during and after a donor family's experience. Family Services also addresses unique issues related to seeking consent for organ and tissue donation.
NJ Sharing Network's goal is to educate New Jersey residents about the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, so they can discuss donation with their families and make the personal decision to register as a donor. For information and to become an organ donor visit www.njsharingnetwork.org.