Scholarships available for those affected by organ donation

 

NJ Sharing Network is offering two $5,000 scholarships – $2,500 per semester – for the 2017-18 academic year.

The Betsy Niles scholarship is offered in memory of Niles, a children’s book editor and lifelong resident of Montclair whose organs were donated in 2011.

The Missy’s Miracle Scholarship was created in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Missy Rodriguez’s liver transplant. She was 10 years old when she had her liver transplant and spreads awareness that children are also affected by organ and tissue donation.

To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, students:

  • Must be a New Jersey resident;
  • Must be a full time high school senior, who will be entering college in Fall 2017;
  • Must be an awareness advocate or have been personally affected by or is a family member of someone personally affected by organ and tissue donation and transplantation (i.e.: organ and/or tissue donor, living donor, transplant recipient, waiting for a transplant or died waiting for a transplant); and
  • Must be in good academic standing.

In addition to the submission application, students will be required to provide three letters of recommendation highlighting their involvement in donation awareness activities, a current transcript and an essay about how organ and tissue donation has impacted their life.

All submissions should be mailed to NJ Sharing Network, Attn: Kelly Bonventre, 691 Central Ave., New Providence, NJ 07974. The deadline for submission is April 7.

Interested parties can visit www.njsharingnetwork.org/scholarship for more information.

New Jersey residents can register as organ and tissue donors at www.NJSharingNetwork.org.