Emmitt and Charlotte Ray are reunited again with NJ Sharing Network's President and CEO Joseph Roth and the recipients of their beloved son Jason Ray's organs and tissue at the gala
"Staying in the Game: Sports and Organ Donation” was the theme of NJ Sharing Network’s 9th annual Heritage Awards Gala held February 23, 2008 at The Pines Manor in Edison. It was particularly meaningful because of the many athletes who have received the “Gift of Life” and because of the donation in New Jersey by, University of North Carolina student and team mascot, Jason Ray of his organs following a tragic accident last March. As a result of his foresight, four New Jersey recipients received transplants and countless recipients will benefit from his donation of tissue.
This year's event also continued its exciting tradition of honoring the memory of Dr. Samuel Kountz, Jr., America's first black transplant surgeon; while highlighting the world of sports and organ donation. This year’s honorees included the NFL’s Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and donor father and NBA superstar Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat a kidney transplant recipient. Video clips of their acceptance speeches can be found on the right hand side of this page. Flora and Malcolm Dunn of Plainfield were also recognized for their exceptional dedication to organ and tissue donation. On their 25th wedding anniversary, the Dunn’s raised $23,000 for NJ Sharing Network in honor of their son Mark – a kidney recipient.
The ESPN team that produced the outstanding video and web tribute to Jason Ray for E:60 and E-ticket “Ray of Hope” were in attendance to accept the Heritage Voice Award. Judith Burgis, Senior V.P. of Corporate Services for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Dianne Aroh, Chief Nursing Officer for Hackensack University Medical Center were also honored for their key roles coordinating the Ray case at their respective medical center. Most poignantly, Emmitt and Charlotte Ray, with the recipients beside them, were presented with the “Ray of Hope” Award in honor of their beloved son. To stand as a lasting tribute for years to come, NJ Sharing Network will bestow this honor upon those athletes or sports figures that by virtue of their personal experiences with donation and transplantation have helped to shine a significant light on how organ donation saves lives and what the needs are across the country as it relates to the shortage of organ and tissue donors.
Read More About This Year's Honorees
In the past 20 years, NJ Sharing Network has worked to facilitate over 6,500 organ transplants in New Jersey. More than 50 percent of those awaiting organ transplants in New Jersey are people of color. In 2001, only 17 percent of African-American families who were approached consented to donation. By 2002, the number rose to 35 percent. In 2007, 63 percent of African-American families who were asked said “yes” to donation. This dramatic increase means that many more lives have been saved and it is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of New Jersey Sharing Network's partners in the African-American community.
The Heritage Awards Gala allows us to say thank you. We extend a special thanks to our partnering sponsor, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and all of our partners in donation and transplantation. With their help we have steadily increased the number of minority transplants in New Jersey.
For more information about this year’s events or for more information about next year’s award ceremony, please contact Alli Keleman at afinlay@sharenj.org. |
