To the Editor:
Donate Life Bayonne, a volunteer group of N.J. Sharing Network, celebrates Donate Life Month in April by spreading awareness of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The month long celebration honors the generosity of organ and tissue donors and their families, and commemorates all transplant recipients in the United States.
With the assistance of Third Ward Councilman Ray Greaves, Donate Life Bayonne will present a proclamation to Mayor Smith on April 9 for National Donate Life Month.
Donate Life Bayonne will celebrate “National Donate Life Blue and Green Day” on April 20. National Blue and Green Day aims to generate more donor registration toward the campaign for 20 million more organ and tissue donors in 2012 by drawing attention to the life-saving decision on both a local and a national stage. All New Jersey residents are encouraged to wear blue and green on April 20 and post their pictures on the Donate Life N.J. and Donate Life America Facebook pages for a chance at prizes for creativity and to further build momentum. Legislators, newscasters, corporations, hospital employees, and community residents in New Jersey and across the nation will be unified in their support of blue and green with events at designated businesses, motor vehicle agencies, municipalities and public meeting spaces. Participants are also encouraged to partner with local restaurants, malls, media and community organizations to help spread awareness about organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
New Jersey ranks 41st out of 50 states with only 31 percent registered organ and tissue donors. National Donate Life Blue and Green Day will serve as an important call-to-action to help New Jersey reach the national goal of 50 percent registered donors. Statewide participation will highlight the critical shortage of organs and the 5,000 New Jersey residents awaiting a life-saving transplant.
“National Donate Life Blue and Green Day” is one of several national opportunities in the “20 Million in 2012” campaign to partner in support of organ and tissue donate on a local level. Additional events include a Donate Life Flash Mob on March 24, and Donate Life “Linking Hands For Life.” To find out more information about how to get involved, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
If you are interested in getting involved in Donate Life Bayonne’s efforts, contact Donate Life Bayonne leaders Maryann Rosenberg at gmhsjj@mail.com or Barbara Kuzminski at bkuzminski@spc.edu. For information about donation and transplantation in N.J., contact them at 1-800-742-7364 or info@sharenj.org. To securely register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org, or your local motor vehicle agency and agree to donation when you first apply for and each time you renew your driver license or state ID.
MARYANN ROSENBERG & BARBARA KUZMINSKI
Donate Life Bayonne Co-Leaders