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Community Corner

Scotch Plains Volunteer Honored as Health Care Hero

Donna Albanese was honored for her work in organ donation advocacy. Albanese donated a kidney to her mother ten years ago.

A Scotch Plains woman whose inspiring work at the NJ Sharing Network Foundation has helped the organization reach new heights, has been named Volunteer of the Year as part of the NJBiz Health Care Hero awards.

Donna Albanese, who ten years ago donated a kidney to her mother, was recognized for her decade-long advocacy for organ and tissue donation. She has spoken to hundreds of groups and thousands of people on the importance of organ and tissue donation, and in January, 2010, she took on the role of Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for NJ Sharing Network Foundation.

“Donna has long been a health care hero for all of us here at NJ Sharing Network Foundation. We are inspired every day by her enthusiasm and dedication,” Elisse Glennon said, executive director of NJ Sharing Network Foundation. “Donna continues to lead, inspire, engage and motivate everyone she comes in contact with and is a true advocate for organ donation.”

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Donna, whose family owns the “Dairy Queen” in Plainfield, has shared her personal story and advocacy for organ donation in high school classrooms, to students at Liberty Science Center and at community events. She helped launch the organization's first-ever 5K Walk/Run, now in its second year. Earlier this month, the 5K Walk/Run raised more than $560,000 for research and education. Donna wears her Donate Life pin and bracelet every day.

About NJ Sharing Network

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NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally designated organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for New Jersey residents in need of life-saving transplants. NJ Sharing Network is celebrating 25 years of saving lives through organ and tissue donation in 2012.  For information about donation and transplantation in NJ, contact us at 1-800-742-7365 or info@sharenj.org. 

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