he signature event for The NJ Sharing Network Foundation is its Annual 5K Celebration of Life, which attracts thousands of participants to New Providence each June to support its mission of saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation.
Growing support of NJ Sharing Network’s mission is why the organization is welcoming a second location for its Annual 5K Celebration of Life, to be held on Sunday, April 12 at Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road in Paramus.
The event is a fun-filled, family-oriented day including a 5K walk, music, awards, prizes, and activities for all ages. It is also a great way for people to become involved with National Donate Life Month. National Donate Life Month features an entire month of local, regional and national activities to help encourage Americans to register as organ tissue donors and to celebrate those who have given the gift of life.
Gathered together at this event will be donor families, transplant recipients, living donors, those waiting for a transplant, volunteers and hospital and corporate sponsors. To date, there are more than 60 teams who have signed up to participate, as well as many individuals and families.
“We are so appreciative to Bergen Community College for being the presenting sponsor and collaborator of our 5K Celebration of Life’ event, as we expand our reach in Bergen County,” said Elisse Glennon, executive director of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation
Bergen Community College has been an ongoing partner with the NJ Sharing Network Foundation in its mission to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation. The college provides educational forums, meeting space for the Donate Life Bergen/Passaic volunteer group, and hosts Organ Donation Awareness Day each year. This year, the Annual 5K Celebration of Life will help kick off “Building Healthy Communities Health Week” at all three of the college’s campuses.
“This wonderful event brings together friends and families – from babies to grandparents – to honor the legacy of donors, celebrate the second chance of life for recipients and give hope to those waiting for the gift of life,” Glennon said. “So many of the lives of the families involved in our 5K have been transformed through giving..”
Glennon noted the Bergen 5K Walk is the ideal springboard to the major event of the year, the 5th-Annual 5K Walk and USATF Certified Race taking place Sunday, June 7 at NJ Sharing Network headquarters, 691 Central Ave. in New Providence.
To sign up for either or both 5K Celebration of Life locations, to start or join a team, and to learn more about the event and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
