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November Marks National Donor Sabbath
National Donor Sabbath marks a special time across the country when clergy and their congregation unite to increase awareness of the critical need for organ and tissue donation.
Although November 9–11 marked the official weekend of National Donor Sabbath, NJ Sharing Network encouraged its observance throughout the entire month of November. Faith leaders around the state participated in services and programs to increase awareness of donation and engage in discussions about the ability of human beings to save lives.
Most religions in the United States either officially support organ and tissue donation or support the individual choices of their members; donation is viewed as an act of compassion and generosity. Temples, churches, mosques, and other places of worship that observe the National Donor Sabbath do so each in their own fashion.
F or more information or materials about Donor Sabbath please email us at feliciam@sharenj.org or call 973-924-2012.
"The Gift of Life Symposium - a Religious, Personal and Clinical Perspective on Organ and Tissue Donation."
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To coincide with Donor Sabbath, Overlook Hospital Auxiliary's Gift of Life Twig and the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network (NJ Sharing Network) hosted a program entitled "The Gift of Life Symposium - a Religious, Personal and Clinical Perspective on Organ and Tissue Donation” on Friday, November 9th, at Overlook Hospital. More than 120 members of the clergy and community members turned out for this educational event.
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After a warm welcome from Dr. Norman Luka, Medical Director of Clinical Affairs, the program continued with presentations from Rabbi Avi Friedman of the Jewish Community Center of Summit, Reverend George Blackwell of the Good Neighbor Baptist Church in Newark, and Edmund Luciano, Deacon and heart transplant recipient. Rabbi Friedman spoke of the various Jewish viewpoints on donation, while Rev. Blackwell touched on how religion supports the family's needs during the difficult time of death and helping others through the wonderful gift of donation. Deacon Luciano began his presentation with facts about religion and donation and then wowed the audience by revealing that he is a heart transplant recipient of only 6 months.
In addition, Overlook physician, Rosalind Dorlen, a living kidney donor, and her husband, David, a kidney recipient, discussed their participation in a 4-way kidney exchange giving David his second chance at life. William Reitsma, RN, Clinical Director of NJ Sharing Network was also on hand to provide recent developments in donation and up-to-date clinical information. Many questions were directed to Mr. Reitsma during the Q&A portion of the program.
Evaluations returned by those who attended scored the program a 4 overall, the highest rating for this event. Comments were made that members of the clergy will indeed introduce donation to their congregation and would be calling NJ Sharing Network for more information in the near future. Others noted that this changed their mind about organ donation and they would encourage their friends and family to become donors. |
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