Every day, new people are added to the national organ transplant waiting list that is now about 108,000 people whose lives depend on an organ transplant. This week, more than 150 of them will die because not enough organs are available. Thousands of others whose lives would benefit from the gift of eye and tissue donation continue to wait and hope.
“Throughout April, Saint Barnabas Medical Center glows green and blue as we proudly partner with The New Jersey Sharing Network during Donate Life Month. As a first step in our hospital’s commitment to this important campaign, I invite you register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor,” says Stephen P. Zieniewicz, FACHE, President and CEO, Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
After eleven years on dialysis, two brushes with death, tens of trips to the Emergency Department and numerous surgeries, Rosemarie Cristofolo received a kidney transplant in October 2018 at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
“While at church, my husband and I noted we had phone messages from Saint Barnabas. As we listened to the messages, they were telling us that there was a potential donor. A woman from California was on life support after a car crash. They wanted to know if I would accept the kidney and needed to call back as soon as possible. I said yes! The donor’s kidney was a perfect match. We couldn’t believe it! Two days later, on October 30, I received my new kidney. It was truly a miracle!” Rosemarie recalls.
In support of patients like Rosemarie, Saint Barnabas Medical Center has joined the National Hospital Organ Donation Campaign as a hospital partner. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Transplantation, this campaign aims to brings together National Partners, regional and local organ, eye, and tissue donation organizations, and their hospital partners to educate our community on the importance of signing up to be organ, eye, and tissue donors.
Anyone can be an organ donor, regardless of age, race, or medical history. Take 5 minutes to sign up now! You may someday be able to give the priceless gifts of life, sight, and mobility to another. One organ donor can save 8 lives. One tissue donor can restore health to over 75 others. Learn more and register at www.RegisterMe.org/SaintBarnabas.