OLD BRIDGE — Hundreds of people came to donate blood in honor of their colleague, friend and loved one, Jessica Uveges LoNigro.
LoNigro, who passed away in December 2014 from lupus, would have been 34 years old on Sept. 19.
Family and friends sponsored a community blood drive in her name on her birthday at the Old Bridge High School Grade 9 Center in conjunction with New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center (NYBC).
LoNigro had relied on community blood drives during her treatment for lupus and her family and friends wanted to help others get the same help she received.
“Jessica LoNigro brought so much life to her classroom. It is only fitting a blood drive in her name will give so many life,” said schools Superintendent David Cittadino.
Walter M. Schirra Elementary School Principal Colleen Montuori said, “The opening of this school year was especially difficult for the Schirra community.”
“It was the first time in eight years that Jessica’s smiling face was not there to greet the children,” she said. “She will always hold a special place in our hearts, and for those of us who were touched by her warmth and caring nature, we are better for it.”
LoNigro was a 1999 Old Bridge High School graduate and dedicated fifth-grade teacher at the Walter M. Schirra Elementary School in Old Bridge.
She was the cheerleading coach at Jonas Salk Middle School and an adviser to the student council, young astronaut, relay for life and sunshine committees. She also was a member of the Character Education Committee.
While a student at Old Bridge High School, LoNigro was captain of the varsity cheerleading squad. Since 2005, she organized and raised more than $15,000 with “Team Jessica” for the Alliance for Lupus Research.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces antibodies to healthy cells leading to widespread inflammation and tissue damage.
LoNigro was also named to the Old Bridge High School Wall of Fame earlier this year, which was established so that newly inducted members would serve as an inspiration and a source of pride for the students of Old Bridge High School.