a mission to save lives, one license at a time

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A P U B L I C A T I O N O F N J S H A R I N G N E T W O R K

SUMMER 2013V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 2

THREE HUNDRED TEAMS, THREE HUNDRED STORIESNJSharingNetwork5K:ToRemember.ToHonor.ToGiveHope.

A Mission to Save Lives,One License at a Time

Recently, Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez visited Our Lady ofLourdes Medical Center in Camden.

His visit had very little to do with motor vehicles. Infact, his message at this regional transplant center was muchmore important. It was about the need for more New Jerseyans to become registered donors when they obtain orrenew their drivers licenses at a local motor vehicle office.

On that day in Camden, Chief Martinez was on a mission. It was April. It was Donate LifeMonth, and he was determined to visit all 39 MVC offices in the state that month to meet with employees and express gratitude for their efforts to register motorists. At each stop, he stressed theneed for additional organ and tissue donors and called for more registrations in the months ahead.

Chief Martinez also ensured MVC staff donned blue and green to support National DonateLife Blue and Green Day on April 19. It was a visible way to underscore the need for organ andtissue donation, and to encourage MVC staff to ask motorists to consider checking the box.

It was with similar enthusiasm that all seven Barnabas Health facilities simultaneously raisedthe NJ Sharing Network flag at 10 a.m. on April 12 to pay tribute to organ and tissue donors and toraise awareness of the life-saving and life-restoring value of organ and tissue donation. At each site,dozens of donor families, organ recipients, community leaders and health care professionals gathered with NJ Sharing Network team members in the series of heartfelt ceremonies. Similarprograms were held at Hunterdon, Morristown and Palisades Medical Centers.

Without our hospital partners, without our donor families and without the commitment ofthe MVC, we do not exist. We are able to continue our life-saving and life-restoring work because so many people believe in and support our mission.

Chief Martinez, in particular, has been a key partner of NJ Sharing Network. His role as an organ and tissue ambassador is saving lives throughout the state. We are pleased and honoredto profile him in this issues cover story; the efforts of Chief Martinez and his staff should be continually lauded.

At Our Lady of Lourdes that day, Chief Martinez reminded everyone that more than 118,000 people nationally are waiting to receive a life-saving organ transplant, including approximately5,000 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters of all ages in New Jersey who are inneed of a life-saving organ transplant. With Chief Martinez we remember and honor donors today,and every day. A life is saved by their heroic decision.

Our work, Chief Martinez said, is far from over.

2 SUMMER 2013

BOARD OF TRUSTEESVitoPulitoChair

BruceI.Goldstein,Esq.Vice Chair

HowardA.NelsonTreasurer

MarcH.LorySecretary

PatrickM.Buddle,MD

MargaretDreker

BonnieEvans

EdwardJ.Florio,Esq.

MichaelP.Hedden

AlineM.Holmes,RN

AnthonyL.Marchetta

VijayRajput,MD

TimothyJ.Touhey

ADVISORY BOARDLorettaAigner,RNTransplant Center Administrator Representative

GailCleggOrgan and Tissue Donor Family Member Representative

RoseannDiBrienza,RN,MSPublic Representative

StuartR.Geffner,MDTransplant Surgeon Representative

MichaelGould,MDEmergency Room Personnel Representative

SarahE.Jensen,Esq.Public Representative

DavidA.Laskow,MDTransplant Surgeon Representative

JamesLim,MDTransplant Surgeon Representative

DebraL.Morgan,MSW,LCSWTransplant Center Administrator Representative

ShamkantMulgaonkar,MDTransplant Center Administrator Representative

TrishOKeefe,RN,MSNHospital Administrator Representative

TyJ.Olson,MDNeurosurgeon Representative

JohnS.Radomski,MDTransplant Surgeon Representative

PrakashRao,PhD,MBA,FACHE,HCLDHuman Histocompatibility Specialist Representative

BruceStroeverTissue Bank Representative

HarrySun,MDTransplant Surgeon Representative

DorianJ.Wilson,MDTransplant Surgeon Representative

MarkJ.Zucker,MDTransplant Physician Representative

Joseph S. RothPresident and Chief Executive OfficerNJ Sharing Network

Pictured (l-r) holding the flag that was raised at Saint BarnabasMedical Center in Livingston on April 12 are: Judge F. MichaelGiles, a donor family member and NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board Member, Kathleen Davis, an individual currently awaiting a transplant, Joe Roth, President & CEO, NJSharing Network, Shamkant Mulgaonkar, MD, Chief, BarnabasHealth Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division, J.D. de Leon, atransplant recipient and NJ Sharing Network Foundation BoardMember, Stuart R. Geffner, MD, Surgical Director, Barnabas Health Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division, John F. Bonamo,MD, MS, President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, and Livingston Mayor Rudy Fernandez.

OntheCover:Patti Walsh, RN, a donor family member and transplant coordinator at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden and Raymond P. Martinez, Chief Administrator, NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.

I am overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit, time andtalent that helped us raise more funds than ever with our 3rd Annual 5K Walk & USATF Certified Race. More than6,000 participants ran, walked or cheered an amazing 1,000more supporters than last year.

Our fundraising totals have exceeded $735,000 and continue to climb, a remarkable achievement that is morethan 20 percent higher than last years total. This success is

only made possible by the love and support of those of you who shared your stories, your hugs, yourtears and your smiles.

A headline on the cover of this issue of Circle of Life magazine says, 300 Teams; 300 Stories.Teams honored a loved one's generous gift of life; rallied to support someone waiting for a life-savingorgan; gave thanks for the gift of life; or remembered someone who died while waiting. Every lovingly made T-shirt told a story.

Standing on the grandstand at our New Providence headquarters and looking out at all theteams drove home the theme of our 5K: To Remember To Honor To Give Hope.

It is because of all your support that we are able to fund programs and educate so many aboutthe life-saving gifts that drive our mission, as well as the overwhelming need that still remains. Thefunds we raise will go to many projects and I am particularly excited about the opening of the LibertyScience Center exhibit on organ donation and transplantation this summer.

Also on the calendar this fall is our Golf and Tennis Classic on October 7 at our new venue, Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield. I am pleased that half of our registrations are already filled!

Thank you all, as we work together every day to fulfill our mission to save lives.

3www.NJSharingNetwork.org

FOUNDATION BOARDPeterRooney,ChairOgilvy CommonHealth WorldwideResident of Mendham

MarlaBace,ViceChairCircles, a division of SodexoResident of Berkeley Heights

PhilipS.Kolm,TreasurerResident of Fort Lee

AlbertaDAddio,SecretaryResident of Watchung

DonnaAlbanese-DeMair,ImmediatePastChairDairy Queen of PlainfieldResident of Scotch Plains

J.D.deLeonResident of Jersey City

JuanitaDiNizoRobert Wood Johnson University HospitalResident of Scotch Plains

LenoreC.FordResident of Morristown

RandiGeffnerResident of Livingston

HonorableF.MichaelGilesResident of West Orange

DerlysM.Gutierrez,Esq.Adams Stern Gutierrez & Lattiboudere, LLCResident of Montclair

ThomasLudlum,Esq.City of Paterson Law DepartmentLudlum Law OfficesResident of Glen Rock

LisaMeyersSummit YMCAResident of Summit

AnthonyE.PizzutilloSmith Pizzutillo LLCResident of Lawrenceville

HelenTavernaReaganResident of Basking Ridge

SuzannRizzoInvestors BankResident of Staten Island

BernardSimonResident of Edison

MylesVarleyPersonal Resource Management Associates, Inc.Resident of Mount Olive Township

Ex-OfficioMembers:JosephS.RothPresident and CEONJ Sharing Network

BarryNewmanChief Financial OfficerNJ Sharing Network

ElisseGlennonExecutive DirectorNJ Sharing Network Foundation

EDITORIAL TEAMMaraBarlowAssistant Director, Marketing and CommunicationsNJ Sharing Network

LernardFreemanPublic Relations Manager NJ Sharing Network

Co-ProducedbyJaffeCommunications&CampbellHealthMedia

5KPhotoCredits:MarlonAviadorSalBenedettoJessicaHattonEneidaRebyak

Elisse GlennonExecutive Director, FoundationNJ Sharing Network The NJ Sharing Network

Foundation welcomes PamDeLuca as the new assistantdirector of foundation andconstituent relations. Pamwill continue to build on thegreat work of Sandy Erwinwho recently retired.

4 SUMMER 2013

More than 6,000 people, touched in some way by organ and tissue donation, walked or ran through the streets of

New Providence in NJ Sharing Networks 3rd Annual 5K Walk and USATF Certified Race on Sunday, June 9. Under sunny

skies and warm breezes, teams pushed strollers, carried banners and walked or ran to support NJ Sharing Network.

The theme of the event was to honor, to remember and to give hope. The event broke records in attendance and in

fundraising dollars to support the mission to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation.

Kicking off the walk

Teams

Stories

Teams

Stories

Kristens Crusaders walked to honor Kristen Theresa OHara, who died at the age of 19 andwhose organs saved many lives. Mike Strusiak of West Milford received Kristens kidney andpancreas. Mikes four daughters and his granddaughter walked along with Kristens parents,Agnes and Ron OHara. The OHaras, formerly of Jackson, N.J., traveled from Florida to join the event. Mike said the donation has enabled him to live a normal life after years of serious illness. He was living with diabetes and had lost both kidneys to cancer. Walking with Kristensparents was an emotional experience I will never forget. I truly wanted to celebrate Kristenslegacy of generosity. She is my angel, Mike said.


HONORING Recipients

GIVING HOPE to those waiting

REMEMBERING Our Donors

LEGACYLives On

Dorothea Duffy of Lincoln Park felt the support of Team Dorothea as members walked thestreets of New Providence. To know that so many people are behind me gives me strength,she said. Dorothea went into renal failure in 2010 and remained hospitalized for a month.She emerged from the hospital so sick she needed to learn to walk again and today she requires dialysis three times each week. She began walking in the 5K three years ago tochallenge herself and to focus attention on the need for organs. Dorothea is among the more than 5,000 people in New Jersey awaiting a life-saving organ. Friends, family and former co-workers learned of her efforts in the 5K and soon startedsigning up. Everybody was so ex-cited and the walk was wonderful. I felt so positive to know so manypeople are supporting me, shesaid.

Devin McQueen, here with Elisse Glennon, executive director of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation, led the team, Devins Got Guts. The nine-year-old spent the first year of his lifehospitalized because he was born with short gut syndrome. Colleen McQueen was the pedi-atric intensive care unit nurse who took care of Devin when he was in the hospital. Devin hadno family and due to his illness a traditional foster family would not have been able to care

for him. Colleen and her husband Derrick, a physician, adopted Devin.The family managed his care until aphysician said he would die without a rare intestinal transplant. Devin received the transplant. Devin hasanother chance at life because ofhis transplant and thats why we are here today. To give thanks,Colleen said.

Three New Providence girls created Miles for Maddie for their friend, Maddie Midwinter, whobecame an organ donor at the age of 9. The three friends are Madelyn, April and Katie. Mad-die had low muscle tone and used a wheelchair, but her friends always made sure she was included in everything. Maddie had the ability to just make people fall in love with her, saidher mother Tess Midwinter. Donating her organs is something Maddie would have wanted.My husband and I know we did the right thing. After Maddie died of a brain aneurysm, herfamily found a gift box and inside was a note Maddie had written to God that read, My gift isto share.

Team Jonathon walked to remember Jonathon Paul Kuzminski, who died in 2011 at 20months old. Team Jonathon is one of the many 5K teams that brought together both donorfamilies and recipients. Jonathons grandmother, Barbara Kuzminski, wanted to honorJonathons memory and recognize his life-saving gift, including the gift of a liver that savedthe life of another toddler, Wyatt J. Fleming of Branchburg. Wyatts family participated in the5K event. The day we met Wyatt confirmed to all of us that it was the right decision to do-nate Jonathons organs and save three other children, said Barbara. She and Wyatts familynow work together to improve donor registration rates in Hudson County.

6 SUMMER 2013

Top 10 Fundraisers -$5,000+Kristina Dayback $18,205.00Alexandra Niles $13,005.00Suzann Rizzo $11,265.00Alyssa DAddio $9,161.97Valerie Monroe Kloss $7,060.00Max Prince $6,362.00Randi Geffner $5,669.00Chris Camerino $5,645.00Glenn Van Etten $5,298.00Jennifer Jova $5,245.00Mark Feldstein $5,108.00

$2,500 - $4,999Howard BernsteinLarry BogushCindy BoyeaGail DuaneDorothea DuffySharon KrampetzGard KrauseBarbara KuzminskiJohn LongoTina McCabeThomas OBrienNick ParadiseMollie Rubinstein

$1,000 - $2,499Donna Albanese-DeMairNicole AliceaAdele BenAryPat BongioviLisa BrickJane BuckiewiczMaureen ComptonJoanne CorniolaKaren DaltonJ.D. de LeonPamela DeLucaJoan Di MeoApril DoylePamela DrozdAnli DuKevin EngelkeSue EvansMadelyn FamaKathy FarrellCorina FisherBrian FongDanah FranchinoAnisa GandhiEzequiel GarciaP.D.K. GilscalrubeKimberly GithensChristine GormanAaron GrossmanDerlys GutierrezBarbara JemisonChristine KornasBrett KurlandGrisel Lebron-BarbosaCecile LovitJackie Lue RaiaRomelle Lysenko

Pam MalfettanoPeter ManleyAntoinette MasceraMeredith McCluneyKristin M MingioneSharan MirchandaniNick MontanoEran Muto-GilesElisa NavarroRory OBrienRonald OswickRita PascaleGene PepeGrace PicciniDerek PicciniPaul PierroLisa PlonaKathleen PollockKaren PraschilWilliam ReitsmaJennifer RizzoPeter RooneyPeter RudyAvinash SamtaniJennifer ScheerMatthew SchutzTracey SharpeBernard SimonDennis SullivanDana SutkowskiCorinne SzewcykJennifer SzewcykGreg TTara ThibaultGeorge Van BuskirkCarolyn Welsh

$500 - $999Melanie AmaralAlyson AngstreichMaria AromandoKim AtnoMarla BaceEdith Baker-JacksonMiriam BeauchampMarlene BedfordJoseph BelfattoMike BialkoStephen Bond-NelsonDonna BrazinaVikki BrittonJoseph BrownAnn BuroKimberly CassidyKaren CelleriJoshua CohenWilliam ComptonDiane CoopersmithGerard CrosbieMichele DabalJamie DAngeloRodger DavenportJessica DavisLeah De La CuadraPamela DelisoErin DeVivoPatti DiSanto

Stacy Donenfeld-LisantiHelene DujardinKristin EngelkeJanet EngelkeMark FelixLenore FordLisa FrazeeRobert Michael FreemanChrissy FuggerLindsay GanterAmy GillmorElisse GlennonEdward GoldMegan GraceColleen HanrettyKurt HeinrichKaren HernandezMichael HoerMary Pat JanuszanisBrigitte JohnMargueritte JonesLia JovaRajesh KarnaniAnne KudlacSue KwiatekDavid LaibleCharles LaibleKristen LalamaRoy LarsenMolly LenzSharon LovitSandra LueDonna MalkowskiKatie McCluneyLisa MeyersSam MidwinterMaritess MidwinterNancy MidwinterLucinda MonicaKimberly MooreSue NegrinMarley NicolasMichael OchotorenaRon ONeilAdena OsbandErika PalumboJoseph ParrilloCharles PascaleE. Denise PeoplesMaria PerezRoy PraschilTaylor PraschilHelen Taverna ReaganBecky RoseEmma RothmanRachel RothspanRita RyanSharon SalernoSusan SalmondAlida SandovalCharles ScorsoneJessica SedlakJamie SiegristCristina SimeonePeggy SimurraSusan SingRich Spengler

Amanda StamlerMary StewartSteven SutkowskiLeon SzewcykJoan ThielDionne TrainorStephen TucciaroneDonna Uher-ImperatoreRob Van EttenKerry VenturaSusan VonkAdriene Zepka

$250 - $499Brian AllainDanielle AllainCindy AmanteMichael AmatoLucia AurelloSangeeta BadlaniMara BarlowKarah BarroqueiroJohn BautzLynn BeattieMichael BenedettoCelestina BerlinKristen BessingerStephanie BiondoNancy BirdDavid BirdLawrence BolognaDominick BongioviMarjorie BrissettMary BrowneAmy BuckiewiczValerie BudkaChriselle BuendiaKimberly BustamanteMichael ByrneJanice CampbellChris CareyJoe CarusoMary CataudellaBob ChavezDanielle CiullaScott ClellandRebecca CohenMarc CoopersmithMarion CrawfordGerard CrosbieMaureen CrosbieCatherine CrosbieLaura CrosbieDanielle DAndreaCatherine DeAppolonioMike (Dino) DeNardoFatima DennisBeatriz DiazLucia DiNapoliJuanita DiNizo

Marilyn DipkinJoe DiSantoJill DohertyKate DonenfeldErin EdwardsGeraldine EntrupMaria FeeneyMary Louise FesselDiane FinckenauerPatricia FlavinDave GalonskaJeannette GalonskaGeorge GanterBill GavinTeresa GavinJen GeigerStaci GelbKaren GilbertGary GilbertBonnie GildeaDebbie GillilandRyan GoldbergTara GoldsmithRenee GoldsmithHal GrossmanPatti GuerinoRoseanne HahnTerence HalesMary HalliwellCaroline HannSuzanne HealeyRegina HeaterGeorge HillierTracey HoerLaureen HowellJohn HughesConnie HulbertTom HuntJeannine IronsNicole JacobsJenna JohnsonEmily-Jo KleinPhilip KolmKathleen KornasCessy KurlandCarole LaibleScott LittlejohnKaren MalagrinoPhilip ManginiLisa ManningDenise MarksWilliam MayerCindy MazzattaMichael McCabeDiana McgroartySuzanne McPhersonColleen McQueenSteve MeyersDrew MidwinterJohn MidwinterDan Midwinter

Lisa MidwinterCornelia MinkemaNelson MirandaFrank MiriglianoBruno MolinoCarolyn MoyleDavid MurawskiAngela Nardone-PfistnerFarrah NegrinDaniel NelsonJulie NelsonCathy OchseRonald OHaraAgnes OHaraSara OliveiraDeanna PecoraNancy PeetDominick PicciniJean PiersonAllison PiniAnthony PizzutilloAlbert PrenticeSam PrinceKevin QuinnMark RabeNehal RamchandaniScott ReganMark RomeroInes RosaLisa RoseJoseph RothErin SalmondMurphy SamsonMarc SantucciJanet Saulter-HemmerEileen SchwalbJoseph ScottTheresa SempleEmily SernaMozhgan SetoodehAllison ShaughnessyJennifer SheppardPassion SmithElizabeth SourenFrances StagerElizabeth StamlerAndrew StewartCheryl SullivanChristine TenoreThomas TrezzaLauren TurciMark Van EttenGeorge Van BuskirkAna VecchioneLisa VeitKenneth WardMaryellen WigginsRosa WilliamsKelly YoungMarvy Zeno

Thank you to our Top IndividualFundraisers and everyone whohelped raise over $735,000!

5K Steering Committee

Joaquin Arisso, Jr.Mara BarlowDiane BernsteinCindy BoyeaAmy BuckiewiczJoseph CaivanoAlyssa DAddioKristina DaybackPamela DeLucaSandy Erwin

Lindsay GanterRandi GeffnerElisse GlennonJan HinesJennifer JovaHelen LaCarrubbaBeth LaibleRoy LarsenTomLudlum, Esq.Jacqueline Lue Raia

Steven MonteleoneAlexandra NilesLisa PlonaSuzann RizzoAlida SandovalDan SarnowskiJamie SiegristEric Tibok


Refreshment ContributorsVillage SupermarketsBernards CafSchripps European BreadA&PGalileo Pizzeria

HerrsProvidence Liquors, Inc.WalgreensPeerless BeverageM&M Liquors

Dahams BagelsAvenue DeliApple Spice JunctionPrestige DinerCoppolas

Hosted by Presented by

2013 Top Teams

Thank you to our 2013 Sponsors

Platinum Level

Gold Level

Silver Level

Bronze Level

Pictured l-r: Peter Rooney,Chair of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation; Donna Albanese-DeMair,Chair of the 5K and Immediate Past Chair of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation; Frank DAmelio,Chief Financial Officer of Pfizer, the events presenting sponsor.

Donna Albanese-DeMair, Chair

Top 10 Teams - $8,500+Team Courtney $20,170.00Miles for Maddie $19,030.20Biffs Gifts $15,147.00Betsys Dash $15,030.00In the Spirit of Anthony Rizzo $14,800.00Just Do It in Celebration of Joe DAddio $12,601.97

Team Andrew $10,290.00 Papa Tonys Team $9,510.00 Maxs Mitzvah Movers $8,965.00Jellybeans Rainbow $8,598.55$5,000 - $8,499A-TeamBrandons AngelsBrighton Cromwell & Team Loving HeartsDaVita StarsJCMC Walks 4 LifeNJ Sharing NetworkOne Love for Brian BernsteinSecond ChanceTeam BuckTeam DorotheaTeam EvanTeam GeffnerTeam Kevin GilbertTeam Martial Arts for LifeTeam Shaun OBVals PalsWiss Nation$2,500 - $4,999I AM DROZD!Against All ODDSArties PartieASG&LBeFit@SBMCHearts for EmmaHQSIIts Johnny TimeJP Morgan Chase Sharing FriendsKristens CrusadersLindas Home TeamMacDonald PlumbingMTFOgilvy CommonHealthOur Sweet Angel from HeavenPo-Pos PeepsPop-Pops TeamRemembering RobinRey ReyRWJSaint Clares Walk for Emmas HeartShine on SeanTeam 360Team Dave - Always in our HeartsTeam DavidTeam DQTeam EricTeam FCCTeam JerryTEAM JONATHONTeam LeonTEAM LIBERTYTeam MARYANNTeam One LoveTeam Romeo Delta ForceTeam RyanTeam SCKTeam Stevie BTeam Will GanterThanks to Donnie!!!Walk for HeatherWalking for Weezie

$1,000 - $2,4993 MusketeersA&A BenefitsAnts AngelsAOKBe Like Keith Share-Give-LoveBru CrewCeles CrewChubi HeartsCommunity Medical CenterDanas Liver LizardsDevins Got GutsDocument SolutionsEDP Breathin EzyForever Young/Team MattFrans McRingo AllstarsGreg T Z100 TeamHow We Lookin Greg PollockHunterdon Heart ThrobsKarens Support TeamKT ACKLackawaxens for LifeLEBRON-MATEOLife SaversLove LifeMaria Di MeoMiles for Erin and JoeyNicks CrewNOVARTIS TEAMPioneers for EBQuerido CorazonRhat PackRich GrossmanRobert Cameron Plona-RCPRobs TeamSpider LiverSTOP For NikhilTeam ButterflyTeam CastroTeam ChoudhryTeam D Phi E in Honor of Alice KramerTeam De LeonTeam Eastwick EducationTeam ElliotTeam FlemingtonTeam GeneTeam InfineumTeam JamieTeam KathyTeam Kidney BeanTeam KimmiTeam Korn PiniTeam KurlandTeam MaitriTeam MeganTeam New Heart 93Team ScottTeam Share Your SpareTeam SummitTeam SusieTeam Tin ManTeam ToriTeam Union County PBAThe Valley Life Savers

8 SUMMER 2013

Chief Martineztraveled more than1,000 miles to visit39 Motor VehicleAgencies during

Donate Life Month.

NNew Jerseys Motor Vehicle Commission isthe gateway for tens of thousands of drivers tomake the decision to save lives by simply check-ing a box or having a brief exchange with anMVC clerk.

The enormity of the mission is not lost onRaymond P. Martinez, the chair and chief admin-istrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Com-mission. He is passionate about his role as leaderof an organization that drives so many individu-als each year to say yes to being registered asan organ and tissue donor. Because of his initia-tives, and the staff members who educate thepublic about the importance of organ and tissuedonation, Circle of Life magazine wanted to learnmore about the man and the mission.

Chief Martinez has served as the head of theMVC since Feb. 1, 2010. It is an amazing respon-sibility; the Middletown resident oversees the operations of 2,300 employees in 39 MVC officesaround the state.

The MVC is empowered as a key source ofnew organ donor registration, following the enactment of the Hero Act on July 22, 2008.Many dont know New Jersey was the first stateto advocate that its residents have the fundamen-tal responsibility to choose whether to help saveanother persons life.

The states proactive policy toward organand tissue donation has moved from a positionof general support to a position of strong advo-cacy. The Act states New Jersey residents have theright to register as organ and tissue donors uponlicensure and renewal of their drivers licenses,

and issuance of state identification cards.

Circle of Life magazine recently spoke withChief Martinez about his agencys commitmentto organ and tissue donation, as well as the ongoing initiative to encourage motorists tocheck the box.

Circle of Life (COL): Please tell our readersabout how the MVC is involved in donor registry.

Raymond P. Martinez (RM): We considerourselves to be the face of state government. Wehave upfront contact with every sector of thepublic through our web portal, phone lines andin-person through our offices across New Jersey.We have 25 million customer contacts each year.You want every one of those contacts to go aswell as possible, while promoting a great publicpolicy such as organ and tissue donation.

COL: What is the MVCs role in registering motorists to become organ and tissue donors?

RM: Through the Hero Act, we ask the customers if they want to be donors. We ask ifthey feel comfortable making that decision, or if we should direct them elsewhere for more information. We forward people to NJ Sharing Networks website or to the information we haveon our own website.

COL: You introduced a new initiative duringDonate Life Month in April to help educate your employees about the critical importance of organ andtissue donation. You traveled 1,000 miles to visit 39agencies. What took place?

RM: I wish I could say every memo I sendout to employees is read with great detail. This

year, during Donate Life Month, I wanted to takeit a step further, talking face-to-face with as manyindividual employees as I could to emphasizewhy organ and tissue donation is so important.In April, I went to every office and spoke withthose clerks who interact with our customers. Itwas a really great learning experience. I went intobreak rooms, in most cases with an organ or tissue recipient, in some cases with a donor family member.

I wanted to really bring it home to my em-ployees about the role they play in registeringdonors. I want the employees to feel comfortableanswering questions about organ and tissue donation from customers, as they decide if theywill register.

The Mission to Save Lives, One License at a Time

Raymond P. Martinez

Chief Martinez took Bergen County by storm. He thankedeach and every employee for the critically important role they play in asking 100 percent of their customers to checkYES to organ donation. First stop: Lodi. Pictured left to right: MVC Manager Judith Fisher, NJ Sharing NetworkVolunteer Lissa Roy, Chief Administrator Martinez and MVCRegional Manager Paul Wolleon.


10 SUMMER 2013

COL: What was the response you received fromyour employees?

RM: I found that in a population of 2,300employees, someone in almost every office hada relative who was a donor or a recipient. I foundvery strong support in our department for thisprogram; it is truly heartening.

Our clerks have a tough job. They are work-ing with customers who do not want to be there.An MVC agency is not like a state park; the people coming in are sometimes ready to do battle. I always want the customer experience tobe a good one, but I know the clerk job is noteasy. I wanted to personally thank the clerks for

making sure they asked the organ and tissue donation question to every customer. They dontget thanked for a lot of things while working ata motor vehicle agency, so it was important forthe head of the organization to shake their handsand let them know they are playing an importantrole in helping to save peoples lives.

COL: What a powerful message: Telling youremployees they are helping to save lives by just remem-bering to ask the question. How did they react?

RM: Well, most clerks never thought aboutit in that context before. They are so busy withlicenses, registrations and renewals. But register-ing people for organ and tissue donation is also a key component of the MVC role. I say to theemployees, Think about this: when someonesays yes to you, you are playing a role in savingmultiple peoples lives. Yeah, that is pretty neat.

MVC employees told me they are able tohave this job today because they had a corneatransplant or are alive because they had a kidney transplant. Theyve told me how being a recipient has drastically improved the qualityof their lives, or how they are family membersof a donor.

One of our staff in Salem County evenshowed me a scrapbook of all the people whohave benefitted from organ donation by her

deceased husband.

COL: What impact has MVC made in increas-ing the number of donor registrations?

RM: For me, it is a no-brainer to use motorvehicles to help move the donor registry num-bers in a positive direction; the MVC is the largestsource for people to register for organ and tissuedonation.

Because we are so incorporated into theprocess, the numbers are getting better everyyear, but we still have more than 5,000 people onthe waiting list throughout the state.

In 2012, we had a spike in registrationsstatewide. Some of our offices in highly popu-lated ethnically diverse areas, such as Newark,Lodi and Bayonne, saw particularly strong registration increases. I want my employees toknow we are moving the numbers in the right direction.

In some cases, we have had employees whoare organ or tissue recipients. I think it is movingwhen they tell that story to a customer. We areable to make a difference in peoples understand-ing and perception of the impact of donation. Atthe end of the day, our employees are the front-line ambassadors for organ and tissue donationin New Jersey.

Chief Martinezs second stop in Bergen County: Wallington.Pictured left to right: Chief Administrator Martinez, MVC Manager Angelina Chickee Toscano and heart recipientand NJ Sharing Network Volunteer Educator Russ Jackson.

MVC Chief Administrator Visits Camden Hospital to Spotlight Organ and Tissue Donation

Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) ChiefAdministrator Raymond P. Martinez joinedwith other dignitaries on April 18 to visit the Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden to stress the need for additional organand tissue donors and call for more registrationsin the months ahead.

I encourage everyone to learn more aboutorgan and tissue donation and to sign up to be an organ donor, said state Commissioner of Health Mary E. ODowd. If you are alreadyregistered, encourage friends, family and co-workers to consider it.

The MVC, which accounts for nearly alldonor registrations in New Jersey, visited the

Camden hospital during Donate Life Month toraise awareness and boost the donor rolls.

Patti Walsh, RN, a transplant coordinatorat Lourdes, as well as a member of a donor family, spoke at the progam. Fourteen yearsago, Patti and her family made the decision todonate her 47 year-old sister, Barbara Reillysorgan after she died of a cerebral aneurysm.

Im fortunate to care for kidney and pancreas transplant recipients, Walsh said.The decision we made as a family is reaffirmedfor me everyday by the job I do here.

New Jersey is served by six transplant centers, including Our Lady of Lourdes MedicalCenter in Camden. More than 1,000 patients

have received the gift of life at Lourdes Regional Center for Organ Transplantation.

Not only does organ donation provide asecond chance at life for recipients, but it allowsdonor families a sense of closure and purpose,said Alexander J. Hatala, president and CEO of Lourdes Health System. We remember andhonor donors today, and every day a life is savedby their heroic decision.

To become an organ and tissue donor in New Jersey, add your name to the donor registry during a drivers license or ID transaction, or register online at www.NJSharingNetwork.org.


You are all a great multiplier of our work.

Joe Roth, president & CEO of NJ Sharing Network, used those words to welcome

more than 100 volunteers who attended the 1st Annual Volunteer Conference in

April. Volunteers learned about the legal and medical aspects of organ donation, as

well as public policy. You understand our core values as stewards of the gift of organ

and tissue, Joe told those gathered at NJ Sharing Network headquarters in New

Providence. You are dedicated, eager, compassionate and resourceful. We would

not be nearly as successful if not for the work you all do in support of our mission.

The full day of educational sessions focused on topics such as the definition of brain

death, speaking with the media, writing to your donor family/transplant recipients

and other issues involving organ donation and transplantation. Elisse Glennon,

executive director of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation, credited volunteers for

increases in the percentage of New Jersey drivers who checked yes to organ

donation when obtaining or renewing a drivers license. There is still much work to

be done, but we have much to be grateful for, Elisse said. I believe we will continue

to increase our donor registry and that is thanks to all of you.

More Than 100 Attend Volunteer ConferencelifeDONATE MONTH

Pictured l-r: Dr. Rebecca White-Johnson, kidney recipient; Ms. Pumps;and Shirley Brown, heart recipient. Dr. Johnson and Ms. Brown are sorority sisters.

Cathie Ruiterman attended the volunteer conference to get more

involved. Several of her friends havereceived life-saving transplants.

Pictured with Ms. Pumps is Rich Perry,who attended the volunteer conference.

Pictured l-r: Juanita DiNizo, a member of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board;Jackie Lue Raia, assistant director of resource development at NJ Sharing Network;Tracy Boatwright, a Donate Life Ambassador; and his daughter, Aliyah, a heart transplant recipient.

Pictured l-r: Wilma Johnson,wife of a multiple organ

recipient, and Cheryl Taylor,whose sister passed awaywhile waiting for a kidney.

12

lifeDONATE NJ Sharing Network recognized the start of Donate Life Month in April a time to

honor the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors and to support their families

by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. NJ Sharing Network

officials were joined by Foundation board members, donor families, transplant

recipients and volunteers.

MONTH

NJ Sharing Network staff membersspent the last day of Donate LifeMonth with representatives of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, 5K Platinum Sponsors. Pictured l-r:Chair of the NJ Sharing NetworkFoundation Peter Rooney, TransplantEducation Manager Barbara Turci,Resource Development CoordinatorAlyssa DAddio, NJ Sharing NetworkFoundation Board Secretary AlbertaDAddio and Assistant Director ofResource Development Jackie LueRaia. Not pictured: NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board MemberSuzann Rizzo.

A NJ Sharing Network flag was raised at Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Centerin Livingston as well as all Barnabas Health campuses in celebration of DonateLife Month. Pictured l-r: Livingston Deputy Mayor Michael Reiber, MD; liver recipient and NJ Sharing Network volunteer Michele Dabal; NJ Sharing NetworkFoundation Board Member Lenore Ford; donor mom and NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board Member Suzann Rizzo; President and CEO, Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center Susan Garrubbo; and NJ Sharing Network CFO and VP of Finance Barry Newman.

Many thanks to our new partners at the Sanford-Brown Institutein Iselin for inviting NJ Sharing Network to speak to their alliedhealth students during Family Wellness Week.

NJ Sharing Network volunteers were featured on WABC-TVsaward-winning public affairs show, Here & Now. The grouptalked about the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, the mission of NJ SharingNetwork and its personal connection to organ donation and transplantation. Pictured (l-r) on the shows set are: E. Denise Peoples, a double-lung transplant recipient and5K team captain; Sandra Bookman, the host of Here &Now; Dr. Dorian Wilson, a liver transplant surgeon at University Hospital in Newark and member of NJ SharingNetworks Advisory Board; and Judge F. Michael Giles, a member of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board and donor family member.

A NJ Sharing Network flag was raised at Morristown Medical Center during Donate LifeMonth to promote awareness of the importanceof organ and tissue donation.

13To see more pictures from our events, please visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.

Mayors Take the Cake

Blue &Green Day

Met Life Tower at Grand Centralin New York lights up for Donate

Life Blue and Green Day.

Public health and school nurses of Essex County celebrating National Donate Life Month. Ocean Medical Center nurses and administrators

showing support for Donate Life Blue and Green Day.

NJ Sharing Network volunteers Mark andTerry Meade showing

their support for National Donate LifeBlue and Green Day.

Mayor Colleen Mahr fromFanwood and Mayor Kevin

Glover of Scotch Plainsshow their support for

organ and tissue donationand transplantation. Themayors are pictured withDonna Albanese-DeMair,owner of the Plainfield

Dairy Queen and NJ SharingNetwork Foundation

Board member.

Supporters of organ donation and transplantation donned special

colors on National Blue & Green Day, April 19. They wore green shirts

and blue hats and green wristbands and blue jewelry and a

multitude of other combinations. Many posted photographs of their

hued wardrobe on NJ Sharing Networks Facebook page. The day was

to raise awareness of the need for life-saving organs and to encourage

more people to register to be organ donors.

Congratulations to the winners of this years NJ Sharing Network

Blue & Green Day photo contest.

(Top to bottom) First place: Brookdale

Community College, second place:

DAddio/Sumas Family Vacation, third

place: Nottingham Insurance.

Pictured l-r: BerkeleyHeights Mayor JosephBruno, Roselle MayorJamel Holley, NorthPlainfield CouncilmanSkip Stabile, PlainfieldMayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, Edison Mayor Antonia Ricigliano,Roselle Park Mayor Joe Accardi and Cranford Mayor Tom Hannen.

14 SUMMER 2013

Close to 200 people came together to add 87 new names to theLandscape of Life. The May 9 eventwas a special evening to unveil thenames in whose honor or memorycontributions were made to NJ SharingNetwork. Landscape of Life was cre-ated to honor organ and tissue donors,transplant recipients and those whocontinue to wait for the gift of life. Thetribute wall acknowledges contribu-tions made in their honor or memory.

The Landscape of Life depicts lifethrough a window overlooking a swaying tree in bloom surrounded bybutterflies in flight. A loved ones name will appear on the wall when

contributions reach the following levels: $1,000 or greater and the namewill appear on the left side of the Landscape of Life, $5,000 or greaterand the name will appear on a leaf, and$10,000 or greater and the name willappear on a butterfly. The contribu-tions made to our Foundation will continue saving lives for years tocome, said Elisse Glennon, executivedirector of the NJ Sharing NetworkFoundation. What a legacy. What a great way for us to express our gratitude for your generosity. Thankyou to all of our Landscape of Lifehonorees for supporting the life-savingmission of NJ Sharing Network. Members of the Hulbert family attended the ceremony to remember their loved

one, Lisa Hulbert, a recipient from Pompton Plains, NJ. Pictured l-r: Margaret Franco,Michael McCabe, Tina McCabe, Connie McCabe, holding Aiden McCabe, Joe Hulbert,Maddie McCabe and Luke McCabe.

Team Liberty

Honoring Legacies

Joe DiSanto, a heart recipient, and Michael Strusiak, who received akidney and pancreas,will show their strengthand athleticism at the2014 Transplant Gameswhen they compete aspart of Team Liberty.Team Liberty, a program of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation,supports athletes whocompete in the Olympic-style games, which willbe held next year in Houston, Texas. Anyone who has received an organ ortissue transplant is eligible to compete. Living donors also are eligible to compete. Donor families will be recognized at the four-day event.

More than 45 teams will compete in 12 sports, including badminton, swimming, cycling, golf and table tennis. The event allows organ recipients to show others that organ donation truly is the gift of life. The games alsogive recipients an opportunity to honor their donors and spread awarenessabout the need for life-saving organs. More information is available atGoTeamLiberty.org.

Team Liberty members l-r: Joseph DiSanto, heart recipient;Patti DiSanto, mother of heart recipient; Victor DiSanto, father of heart recipient; Ms. Pumps; Michele Dabal, liver recipient; Mike Strusiak, kidney/pancreas recipient; andBonnie Farbstein, liver recipient.

Landscape of Life

Pictured on the cover of Aprils Mead-owlands USA magazine are: (top)Joseph S. Roth, president & CEO, NJSharing Network; Elisse Glennon, executive director, NJ Sharing NetworkFoundation; Kevin Cummings, president and CEO, Investors Bank.(bottom): Domenick Cama, CEO andsenior executive vice president, Investors Bank; Suzann Rizzo,

assistant vice president and branch manager, Investors Bank. The cover article describes the value of organ donation through the story ofAnthony Rizzo and his familys efforts to honor his legacy of generositythrough their support of NJ Sharing Network. The familys support is backedby Investors Bank, where Anthonys mother, Suzann Rizzo, works. Her colleagues generously support NJ Sharing Networks 5K Walk and USATF Certified Race in memory of Anthony, who died in a tragic accident at the age of 16. Investors Bank then matched the amount collected, creatinga record-breaking team effort of more than $24,000. The article quoted Investors Bank Senior Executive Vice President and ChiefOperative Officer Domenick Cama, who said: Investors Bank has a deep responsibility and commitment to its employees and the communities weserve. We strive to make a difference in peoples lives and felt compelled tosupport Suzann.Suzann Rizzo says she draws comfort from knowing her son provided the giftof life to five people and the gift of sight to two. Anthonys legacy lives on.He is a hero to me, my family, and now to other people as well, she said.


Two new Quilts of Love honoring donorshave been unveiled to bring the new total to 29beautiful quilts. Each quilt was made with loveand serves as a gentle reminder of the manylives touched by donation and transplantation.Every square on the quilt tells the story of a donor whose generosity has given life to others. The beautiful quilts include photo-graphs, as well as college logos and sports insignias, and symbols of favorite hobbies. Somehave words, such as Always In Our Hearts. Thequilts began in 1997, and since then have beenadmired by thousands of people who have seenthem at schools, hospitals, museums and otherplaces throughout New Jersey. These tributes todonors touch peoples heartsand also spread awareness ofthe life-saving value of organand tissue donation. To learnmore, please contact DonorFamily Services at (908) 516-5400 or [email protected].

Quilt Unveiling Event

Donate Life Around the World

Help NJ Sharing Networkspread the word about the importance of organ & tissue donation on yourFacebook page!

1. Go to your Wall and add a Life Event

2. Go to the Health andWellness section

3. Add Organ Donation to your information

Featured in an installment of Donate Life Around theWorld is Marla Bace, Foundation Vice Chair, posing infront of the Eiffel Tower. Merci Beaucoup!

Rodger Davenport brought the Donate Life message to

baseballs iconic Wrigley Field.

This Donate Life Around the World"features team captain and heart recipient, Emma Rothman. Emma and friends pose at The MetropolitanMuseum of Art.

The DeVivo family carried the life-saving message oforgan and tissue donation

and transplantation to Disney World's Magic

Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.The picture was taken inhonor of Victoria Paige

DeVivo, whose gift of organdonation saved three lives.

Danny and Amanda Kern tied the knot at the Madison Hotel in Morris Townshipand posed for pictures with a NJ Sharing Network banner to honor Danny'sbrother, Brian, who passed away three years ago. Close to 200 wedding guestsalso wore Donate Life pins at the reception as a tribute to Brian.

Pictured (in middle) is Iris Garcia with her husband, Ezequiel,and sister, Emilia Carrion, at the quilt unveiling ceremony.

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. Postage

PAIDUnion, NJ

Permit No. 931

691 Central AvenueNew Providence, NJ 079741-800-742-7365 908-516-5400

SAVE THE DATEOctober 7, 2013Golf & Tennis ClassicBaltusrol Golf Club, Springfield Centercourt, ChathamFor information call Jackie Lue Raia at 908-516-5686

November 8-10, 2013National Donor SabbathFor more information on faith-based outreach, contact Jay Arisso, Jr. at 908-516-5615

Like us at facebook.com/njsharingnetwork

Join the conversation aboutthe power of donation!

Follow us on twitter @ njsharing

NJ Sharing Network is now on Instagram! Follow us @NJSharingNetwork for daily pictures and updates!

NJ Sharing Network is a member of Community Health Charities of NJ

www.NJSharingNetwork.org

If you no longer wish to receive information from NJ Sharing Network, please call 908-516-5400.

All in a Days Work ByJayArisso,Jr.,Manager,FamilyServices

I wish I couldtell you about atypical day, buttruthfully, I haveno typical days.Each day bringsnew challenges in

my position to support donor families some in the midst of crisis and others who need solace and comfort years after the death of a loved one. I work asmanager of family support services. I oversee our aftercare program and lead a team of family supportcoordinators. I also work directly with families. Oneday I may be at a hospital, at the side of a wife whosehusband just died of a brain hemorrhage, helping herexplain organ donation to her in-laws in an out-of-

country phone call. Another day I may be comfortinga mother on the anniversary of her childs death, orhelping an organ transplant recipient craft a letter tohis donor family.

Our support team, along with our transplant coordinators, helps families understand brain deathand organ donation. I am always sensitive to using language the family will understand. I must be respectful of whatever they are feeling: anger, shock,sadness or fear. As an ordained, non-denominationalminister, I see my work as a calling more than a job.

Sometimes my team and I coordinate meetingsbetween recipients and donor families. I recall a momwho put her face near the scar of a young woman whohad received her daughters liver. The mother turned to

the recipient and said, You are my daughter now. Ican tell you the story of every family I have ever workedwith and no two stories will ever be the same.

Our team also creates faith-based programs toexplain the importance and power of donation tomembers of the faith-based community. Each year, wehost an event for National Donor Sabbath.

In my workspace you will see one of the hand-made shawls, crafted by volunteers, that show ourfamilies that they are wrapped in love during their timeof grief. On the wall are photographs of families I knowespecially well. The photographs remind me that weoften enter peoples lives in their darkest moments.However, knowing that their loved one was able to savethe lives of others can provide a ray of light and hope.

WHO WE ARENJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally designated organ procurement organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue forthe nearly 5,000 New Jersey residents currently awaiting transplantation, and is part of the national recovery system, which is in place for thenearly 120,000 people on waiting lists.

a mission to save lives, one license at a time

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