Golf or Tennis Anyone?

Now that all the kids have gone back to school, I got inspired and decided to take some tennis lessons.  It is so much fun!  I hope to use my new skills at NJ Sharing Network’s 14^th Annual Golf and Tennis classic on October 1^st although, I am a bit nervous about the all-white policy being that I’m red and all :-).  Maybe I’ll stick to trying my luck at the raffle and silent auction instead…For more info on the Golf and Tennis classic, click here.

‘Till the next time…Pumps.

So Long Summer!

What an amazing summer this has been!!  I’ve been enjoying some well-deserved “R & R” after the huge success of the 5K Walk and Run.  Thanks to your participation, NJ Sharing Network Foundation raised more than $607,000 and hundreds of people were inspired to spread the word about organ and tissue donation and even register to be organ donors!  It was truly an inspiring day for me.  Not only did I run my first 5K but I also met some great donor families, recipients, volunteers and community and corporate supporters.  I can’t wait to do it all again next year…by the way, did you hear?  The date of next year’s 5K walk and run is June 9, 2013 so save the date!

We raced to REMEMBER…We raced to HONOR…We raced to GIVE HOPE…

 The Share NJ 5K was amazing and inspiring. The day was full of laughter, tears, friends and family. It is a day I will always remember.  There were nearly 5,000 donor families, recipients, volunteers, sponsors, community and hospital partners at the 5K. So far, with all of YOUR help, we have raised more than $560,000 in our race to save lives through organ and tissue donation.  Our work is not done yet! With a fundraising goal of $625,000, we can do it! To continue fundraising – www.ShareNJ5K.org.

There are great prizes you can win! Check them out!

Individual Fundraising Awards:

TOP FUNDRAISING PRIZE IS 2 ROUND TRIP AIRLINE TICKETS WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL US!!

Participants who raise $250 and up will receive gift cards that can be redeemed for great prizes at our NEW online store!

LEVEL GIFT CARD VALUE

$250 – $499 – $25.00
$500 – $999 – $50.00
$1,000 – $2,499 – $100.00
$2,500 – $4,999 – $200.00
$5,000 and up – $400.00
*$400 gift cards may also be redeemed at Best Buy

 Team Captains Team Building Awards:

 Double the fun in “fundraising” by recruiting the largest teams! All team captains can win gift cards redeemable at our NEW online store!

 NUMBER OF TEAM MEMBERS GIFT CARD VALUE

Over 25 – $25.00
Over 50 – $50.00
Over 100 – $100.00
Over 200 – $200.00
Go Teams! You are doing great! You continue to inspire me!

XOXO MS. PUMPS

Ms. Pumps and Friends at the Share NJ 5K!

What an amazing day! Many thanks to nearly 5,000 donor families, recipients, volunteers, sponsors, community and hospital partners who participated in making the Share NJ 5K the most successful to date. So far, together we raised more than $560,000 in our race to save lives through organ and tissue donation! http://www.ShareNJ5K.org

3 Days Until the Share NJ 5K Walk/Run!

Share NJ 5K Walk/Run Reminders from Ms. Pumps!

 

Only 3 days away! This is so exciting! Z100’s Greg T and KTU’s Matt Bosso are going to try to beat me in the run! I will not let that happen, so this final week I will be training every day twice a day!! Also, this week I will be getting my outfit for the Share NJ 5K! I will be getting everything blue and green to match NJ Sharing Network’s color scheme.

There have been many questions about parking!  I got the 411 from my friends at NJ Sharing Network!

• Parking will be available at neighboring parking lots. CR Bard, 730 Central Ave. will have ample room and volunteers will direct you to parking lots when you arrive.
• Handicapped parking is at 675 Central Avenue.
• Please try to carpool when at all possible.

It is crunch time! Send updates on social media sites about your progress and encourage friends to donate and/or join your team. Post to http://www.facebook.com/njsharingnetwork and tweet us @NJsharing. Remember fundraising remains open until July 31st!

XOXO UNTIL NEXT TIME,

MS. PUMPS

Together we have raised over $347,000! Let’s exceed our goal of $625,000! We can do it!

Anyone enjoy listening to morning radio shows? I do! On June 10^th, Z100’s morning show radio personality Greg T and KTU’s Matt Bosso will be at the Share NJ 5K! They are excited to interact with all of you and most importantly remember those who gave, honor those who received, and offer hope to those who continue to wait…for the gift of life.

As of today at 8:20am, there are 229 teams and 2,373 participants registered in the Share NJ 5K Walk/Run!  I have been out and about training! My goal is to out-run KTU’s Matt Bosso and Z100’s Greg T! Do you think I can do it? Well, I am going to try my best!

Have you created your own t-shirt for the Share NJ 5K? T-shirts are a great way to unify your team and show off your team name! AKA Incorporated Special-Tees will donate 15% back to the Share NJ 5K! Visit http://www.akaincorporated.com to get started! Contact 908-219-4587 or mike@akateeshirts.com for more information!

Check out some great t-shirts from last year:



You all continue to inspire me! I encourage everyone to tell us why you are participating in the Share NJ 5K! You can tweet @NJSharing or write on NJ Sharing Network’s Facebook wall!

UNTIL NEXT TIME XOXO

Ms. Pumps

18 Days Away from the Share NJ 5K!

With 18 days to the big day, we have raised over $315,000. I believe we can do better!!! Let’s exceed our fundraising goal of $625,000. The money we raise allows NJ Sharing Network Foundation to support and promote the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. Together, we are making a difference!

Shout out to our top five fundraisers!
1. Cindy Boyea
2. Phyllis Caputo
3. Alyssa D’Addio
4. Randi Geffner
5. Max Prince

Everyone is doing a great job! Let’s all make a promise to step it up these next 18 days! We can do it!

I wanted to share a Facebook post from Alyson Angstreich of Pop-Pop’s team! She posted on NJ Sharing Network Facebook wall:

“Pop-pop’s team walks and runs in memory of Stephen Coopersmith (Pop-pop) who waited on the heart transplant list and received a heart from a hero in August 2010. We also walk/ run to honor a member of our team, Dr. Ed Gold, who donated his kidney to his wonderful, healthy daughter Marissa. But most importantly, we walk/ run to raise awareness for the need for organ donors in hopes that we will see a day when no person will have to go through the pain of waiting for agonizing amounts of time on a transplant list.”

Thank you Pop-Pop’s team for sharing this wonderful message of why you are running and walking. I encourage everyone to post on NJ Sharing Network facebook and @NJSharing twitter and share why your team runs and/or walks. Your stories are powerful and continue to inspire me everyday! Your stories are the reason I run, the reason I fundraise, and the reason I am passionate about this mission! THANK YOU!

If you have not signed up for the Share NJ 5K Walk/Run, please visit www.ShareNJ5K.org today!

XOXO Ms. Pumps!

Why does Ms. Pumps Run in the Share NJ 5K?

Last year Team Kevin Gilbert was the 1st place fundraising team, collecting over $17,000 in donations for the NJ Sharing Network.

My friends at NJ Sharing Network asked me “Ms. Pumps, why do you participate in the Share NJ 5K?” I answered, “I participate for many reasons!”

I run for the over 110,000 people in this country who desperately need a transplant. I run to offer them hope.

I run for the 18 people that die each day while waiting for a transplant.

I run for the 143 individuals in 2011 who selflessly and generously donated their organs in New
Jersey so others could live.

I run for all donor families who miss their loved one’s every day.

I run for all organ and tissue donors who are the true heroes.

I run for the tens of thousands in need of donated corneas to restore sight, bone and other tissue to repair injured or diseased bones/joints, skin to heal burns, and heart valves to replace diseased valves.

I run for living donors – their courage and selflessness amazes me!

I run for volunteers, board members, community partners, corporate sponsors who dedicate their time and energy to help save more lives through organ and tissue donation.

My question to all my readers, “Why are you participating in the Share NJ 5K?” Facebook NJ Sharing Network or tweet @NJSharing and tell us why you participate! You may see your testimonial in the next 5K e-mail!

XOXOX MS.PUMPS

Share NJ 5K is 5 Weeks Away!

Hello my friends!

A quote for today:

“I have not experienced a crowd like this outside of Central Park and I have run 5Ks every weekend in NJ for the last 12 months!” – Marla Bace

The big day is approaching! I am so excited to see all of you June 10^th, 2012 at the Share NJ 5K Walk/Run! If you have not signed up yet, visit www.ShareNJ5K.org! I don’t want you to miss out!
As of yesterday, May 7^th, there were 1,382 registered participants and 187 teams! Together, we have raised $228,000! Our goal is $625,000 and I believe we can exceed it!

A shout out to our top five fundraisers!!

1. Cindy Boyea of Team FCC
2. Phyllis Caputo of Team DQ
3. Alyssa D’Addio of Team Just Do it in Celebration of Joe D’Addio
4. Roy Larsen od Team 3 Musketeers
5. Lisa Plona of Team Robert Cameron Plona (RCP)

Everyone keep up the great work! You all continue to inspire me everyday!

Hint of the day: Check out the Share NJ 5K Course Map! (you can start practicing!)

XOXOX MS.PUMPS

Share NJ 5K is 6 weeks away!

Hello my friends! This weekend we hit $200,000! To all participants – let’s keep this going!! I want to give a BIG shout-out to the Top 5 Fundraisers and Top 5 Teams as of today, April 30^th!

The top 5 fundraisers are Cindy Boyea of Team FCC, Phyllis Caputo of Team DQ, Roy Larsen of 3 Musketeers, Alyssa D’Addio of “Just Do it” in Celebration of Joe D’Addio, and Gail Duane of the Krusty Krushers.

The top 5 teams are 3 Musketeers, Team FCC, ONE LOVE for Brian Bernstein, “Just Do It” in Celebration of Joe D’Addio, and Team DQ!

Everyone is doing a great job! Remember to personalize your team pages and fundraising pages! Your personal connection to organ and tissue donation will inspire others, it inspires me everyday.
Encourage friends and family to sign up today at www.ShareNJ5K.org! I can not wait to see everyone on June 10th!

For the quote of the day, I am going to use a testimonial from last year’s 5K:

"This race was more than just a race, it was more meaningful than I ever thought possible. I was moved to tears by absolute strangers.” – Carolee Azzarello, Race Participant
 

Until next time,

XOXO Ms. Pumps!

Anyone Need Some Motivation? Ms. Pumps to the Rescue!

Hello My Friends! This week I had a lack of motivation. It is hard for me to admit but hey it happens sometimes, what can you do? I found some helpful tips from my second cousin twice removed, Larry the Liver and my dad, Henry the Heart.

It is important to remind yourself of the health benefits! Every morning this week, I will look in the mirror at my beautiful face and say “Running is tough, but running is worth it!” Will you join me? C’mon just try it! Also, we can remind ourselves what we are running for! We are running to remember, to honor, and to hope. We are running for a reason! Let’s encourage ourselves, our family, and our friends to run with us!

One more thing before I go! It is important to reward yourself! You all are working hard to promote the life-saving mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation. I salute you! Have some chocolate!

My helpful hint of the day: If you have not signed up for the 5K, please visit www.sharenj5k.org!

I have also decided to add a quote to all my blog posts! Today’s quote is: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” -Walt Disney

Until Next Time,

XOXO Ms. PUMPS!

It is a MARVELOUS Monday!  Ms. Pumps is back in the building.

HAPPY NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH! I have been so busy with National Donate Life Month; I have neglected my number one fans!  So let’s talk…

Last week, I hung out with my favorite friends at NJ Sharing Network.  We ran the 5K route twice last week!  While I was running the race route, I stopped and invited some neighbors to participate in the Share NJ 5K Walk/Run!  I have noticed people cannot say no to my gorgeous face!

Last week was fun but this week means business!! I plan to contact my mayor for a proclamation to announce my participation in the Share NJ 5K Walk/Run. I am running to remember those who gave, honor those who received, and offer hope to those who continue to wait…for the Gift of Life! I have invited Penny the Pancreas, Cornea Cindy and Larry the Lungs to join me, they are so excited to be involved!  Additionally, I plan to spread the word throughout Union County! I will travel to businesses and ask if they will hang up Share NJ 5K Walk/Run posters! You should do the same, the more the merrier!!

I am also getting ready for National Blue and Green Day April 20^th! I have so much blue and green BLING! What are you going to wear on April 20^th for National Blue and Green Day? Tweet @NJSharing to share with me and NJ Sharing Network how you plan to participate!

UNTIL NEXT TIME XOXO,

Ms. Pumps!

P.S. – Like our NJ Sharing Network Facebook Page!! Tell them Ms. Pumps sent you.

Ms. Pumps!

I am so excited for the 5K! There were over 4,000 participants last year! This year the sky is the limit!

Share NJ 5K Race to Save Lives Through Organ and Tissue Donation

 

On June 12, 2011 more than 4,000 runners and walkers participated in the NJ Sharing Network Foundation’s inaugural Share NJ 5K Race to Save Lives Through Organ and Tissue Donation. Over 200 teams composed of volunteers, transplant recipients, donor families, hospital partners, college and high school groups and sponsors, especially our presenting sponsor Pfizer, came together and raised more than $450,000 in honor of those who gave, on behalf of those who have received and with hope for those who continue to wait. This video commemorates this special inaugural event.
Join us this year June 10, 2012 for the 2nd Annual Share NJ 5K Walk/Run. To sign up: http://www.ShareNJ5K.org

Ms. Pumps at the Team Captain’s Kickoff!

Hello World! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, as my weekend was full of fun!
On Saturday, I trained for the Share NJ 5K on June 10th. I met with some friends (Karol the Kidney, Vinny Veins and Larry the Lungs).  We went jogging around my favorite town, New Providence. I love training, but I do love shopping more! Saturday night, I went to buy accessories for National Blue and Green Day on April 20th! I bought blue and green leg warmers and a great headband! I am excited to rock blue and green on April 20th for organ and tissue donation. I will post a picture on Donate Life NJ and Donate Life America Facebook pages on April 20th, in hope to win some cool prizes! If you have questions about National Blue and Green Day, email my NJ Sharing Network friends at info@sharenj.org!

Sunday was an even better day! The Share NJ 5K team captains gathered at Forrest Lodge in Warren, NJ. It was a great day for everyone to meet me, I felt so loved :)! We were welcomed by NJ Sharing Network’s President and CEO, Joe Roth and Elisse Glennon, Executive Director of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation. Next, chairwoman of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board, Donna Albanese rallied the audience and introduced our speakers for the day! Donna is the team captain for TEAM DQ, as she owns a Dairy Queen in Plainfield! In case you were wondering, I love ice cream with red sprinkles!!

 Denise Peoples was the first to tell her personal story; she made me laugh and cry at the same time! Denise shared she is a double lung transplant recipient and is extremely grateful for the gift of life she has been given! Denise appears in the inaugural Share NJ 5K video, check it out: http://bit.ly/pAtygV . Next Suzann Rizzo, a donor mother and member of the Foundation Board, expressed how organ donation is close to her heart, as her son was an organ donor, saving the lives of several people.  Suzann shared helpful tips on being a successful fundraiser, I made sure to take great notes! Suzann was the overall top fundraiser for the inaugural Share NJ 5K! Last but surely not least, Dan Sarnowski, a team member of Betsy’s Dash in loving memory of organ donor Betsy, spoke about the love of his life and why he is driven to raise funds and recruit team members for the Share NJ 5K. Dan talked about everyone being a part of a “club”. Walking away from the event, I realized I am so lucky to be in this club. This club represents and remembers those who gave, honors those who received, and offers hope to those who continue to wait for the Gift of Life.
To sign up for the Share NJ 5K on June 10, 2012 visit www.ShareNJ5K.org! Also, follow my NJ Sharing Network friends on Facebook (NJ Sharing Network) and on twitter (@NJSharing). Post and tweet them saying Ms. Pumps sent you!

Tip of the day: Spread the word about National Blue and Green Day on April 20th! Gather with family and friends to take a picture then post it on Donate Life NJ and Donate Life America’s Facebook. You may win a cool prize!!

Until next time,

XOXOX Ms. Pumps!

Hello World! Ms. Pumps is Here!

Hi Everyone. My name is Ms. Pumps! I am NJ Sharing Network’s heart mascot. NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally designated organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for the nearly 5,000 New Jersey residents in need of life-saving transplants.

Well, let me tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Ms. Pumps. I was born on February 14th, Valentine’s Day and Donor Day! I am currently 25 years old, which fits perfectly because NJ Sharing Network is celebrating 25 years of saving lives through organ and tissue donation! I am a Jersey girl with a lot of heart! My favorite colors are green and blue not only because they are NJ Sharing Network’s colors but because they look good on me!

I decided to start a blog because I’m so THRILLED about events coming up! April is National Donate Life Month and we are ready to CELEBRATE!

First off, let’s talk fashion! National Donate Life Blue and Green Day is coming up April 20th. Since blue and green are my favorite colors, this is right up my alley!! NJ Sharing Network is asking NJ residents to wear blue and green on April 20th in support of organ and tissue donation! I am sorry; I can’t tell you what I am going to wear. It’s a BIG surprise. I can’t wait to submit a picture and hopefully see it on NJ Sharing Network and Donate Life America’s Facebook pages. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, you can e-mail my NJ Sharing Network friends at info@ShareNJ.org.

Another fabulous event is the 2^nd Annual Share NJ 5K Walk/Run on June 10^th at NJ Sharing Network in New Providence, NJ. For the second year in a row  transplant recipients, donor families, hospital professionals and corporate partners will come together as we remember those who gave, honor those who received, and offer hope to those who continue to wait…for the gift of life. You can sign up TODAY at www.ShareNJ5k.org! If you have questions, please e-mail info@ShareNJ.org. I started training today and boy was my heart pumping. I walked two miles around my favorite New Jersey town, New Providence! Do you want to know what really motivated me? The weather! Ms. Pumps never turns down a tanning opportunity!

Well, that’s it for now! I hope to see you wearing blue and green for National Donate Life Blue and Green Day on April 20^th!

Ms. Pumps Tip of the Day: Sign up for the Share NJ 5K Walk/Run on June 10^th, 2012 at www.ShareNJ5k.org

XOXO,

Ms. Pumps.

P.S – Follow us on Facebook at NJ Sharing Network and on twitter @NJSharing. Tell them Ms. Pumps sent you :)