Happy National Donate Life Month!

 



 

Hey everybody! Happy National Donate Life Month!

I have been running around in my pumps all month, and things are not slowing down! I am so excited to share with you all of the exciting things happening at NJ Sharing Network and in the state of NJ. Boy, have our staff and volunteers been busy spreading the word about organ and tissue donation.

Here’s a quick taste of what April has been like so far:

April 11th – NJ Sharing Network celebrated National Blue and Green Day at the NJ Devils Game! What a fun night that was. I was lucky enough to participate in this event along with Mr. Pumps! I even got to dance with the devil… The NJ Devils’ mascot, of course, hehe.



Me and Mr. Pumps with the NJ Devil! What a night!

April 12th – We celebrated National Volunteer Week and the upcoming 5K at our 2nd Annual Volunteer Conference and 5K Kickoff! With over 200 people in attendance, the day was nothing short of inspiring and exciting. I think its is fair to say we are all PUMPED for what’s ahead! Are you interested in volunteering at the 5K? Email my friend Amanda over at NJ Sharing Network and she’ll give you more details. You could hang out with me all day, woo hoo! Bring your friends, family and coworkers for an amazing day. If you haven’t registered yet, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.



Me with NJSN Volunteers at the annual conference! Congrats Dorothea (on the left) on your recent kidney transplant!

April 15th – Yesterday, the Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno came to visit us at our HQ. What an amazing lady! She could not have been more supportive of our mission and was truly moved by what we do each and every day.

April (all month long) – Special thanks to Raymond Martinez, chief administrator of the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), for taking time out his busy schedule to celebrate National Donate Life Month with NJ Sharing Network and the MVC agencies around NJ. Chief Martinez is visiting every agency again this year to personally thank his team for encouraging customers to register as organ and tissue donors. AWESOME!!

Chief Martinez visiting the Newark Motor Vehicle Agency. Shout out to Steve Sims (right), a NJSN Volunteer, for joining the Chief and thanking the MVC employees. Woo hoo!

Whew, there was a lot of sweat and tears that went into celebrating and planning these events. Shout out to all of NJ Sharing Network’s staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication! You guys rock! BUT… April is not over yet! Donate Life Month is still in full swing and I encourage you to get up and out in your community and raise awareness for the nearly 5,000 people in NJ waiting for their second chance at life. Download your Resource Kit today and get going! And, always remember to rock your blue and green! You didn’t forget, did you? :)

Wish I could stay and chat, but duty calls! Man am I one busy lady! Don’t tell everybody, but I do make special appearances! If you would like to have me at a special event of yours to support organ and tissue donation and/or celebrate your 5K team, contact my agent, Eneida, and I’ll do my best to get there!

TTYL, XOXO

Ms. Pumps

PS: April is also Stress Awareness Month! Healthy habits can protect you from the harmful effects of stress. Here are 10 positive healthy habits from the American Heart Association that you may want to develop:

1. Talk with family and friends more often.
2. Engage in daily physical activity. 
3. Accept the things you cannot change.
4. Remember to laugh.
5. Give up the bad habits.
6. Slow down – plan ahead!
7. Get enough sleep.
8. Get organized. 
9. Practice giving back – volunteer your time!
10. Try not to worry.