Dear Editor: As Mayor of the Township of North Bergen, I signed an important proclamation recognizing April 16-22, 2000 as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week (NOTDAW) in North Bergen. I did this because there exists an increasing need for organ and tissue donors in the State of New Jersey, where nearly 1,800 people are awaiting life-saving transplant operations. The New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network (The Sharing Network) is committed to addressing that need through enhanced awareness of the NOTDAW observance and other meaningful activities. Transplantation of organs and tissues is a miracle of modern medicine made possible through the compassion of organ donors, enabling surgeons to save thousands of lives every year. Donors not only give the gift of life, but also often restore health and sight to the recipients. People of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and religions are affected by the need for organ transplants and by the serious shortage of organ donors that exist. That is why I am urging every capable person to sign a donor card and support this vital effort by learning more about donating tissues and organs, filling out Donor Registry Cards, making their families aware of their wishes and to be willing to give the precious gift of health, sight and life. I urge everyone to call The Sharing Network at 1-800-SHARE-NJ to learn more about organ and tissue donation or to join the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. Nicholas J. Sacco Mayor