CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, was honored to recently receive the Circle of Life Award from the N.J. Sharing Network, the nonprofit organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for nearly 5,000 New Jersey residents awaiting life-saving transplants.
The honor is awarded to New Jersey hospitals, during N.J. Sharing Network’s 25th anniversary year, who demonstrate a steadfast commitment to saving and enhancing lives through the miracle of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
CentraState Medical Center received the award for its long-standing commitment to assist N.J. Sharing Network with the recovery of organs and tissue after a patient has passed away. Organs recovered from one patient can save up to eight lives, while tissue, such as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas, can enhance the lives of up to 50 patients.
Katie Strusiak, hospital services manager, joined by one of their volunteers who received a life-saving heart transplant, thanked hospital leadership and staff for their commitment to organ and tissue recovery and the gift of life it gives others.
“Organ donation and transplantation is a complex and rare medical procedure,” said Joseph Roth, president and chief executive officer of N.J. Sharing Network.“Having a health care partner like CentraState Medical Center that continuously demonstrates its commitment to fulfill an organ donor’s final wishes gives more hope to the thousands of New Jersey patients who are on the transplant waiting list. N.J. Sharing Network is honored to have such a dedicated partner and presents our Circle of Life Award to CentraState Medical Center as an expression of thanks for all it has done to support organ donation and transplantation.”
Over the years, CentraState Medical Center has worked closely with N.J. Sharing Network to honor the decisions of individuals or their families to donate organs and tissue in a caring and compassionate manner, with an end result of a patient receiving a desperately needed transplant. “Making the decision to be an organ donor when renewing your driver’s license or donating the organs of a loved one during a difficult time is one of the greatest gifts we can offer,” said John T. Gribbin, president and CEO of CentraState Healthcare System.“N.J. Sharing Network is serving an important role in our community and we are proud to have partnered with them over the past 25 years in helping to give the gift of life to those waiting for an organ or tissue transplant.”