Every organization seemingly uses data these days — but how many have data that actually shows how they are saving lives?
NJ Sharing Network does.
In 2023, the organization recorded a record number of organ transplants in a single year, 715 — a 7% increase over the previous record. Additionally, 44,266 eye and tissue gifts were made, enhancing the quality of life for countless individuals in need.
CEO Carolyn Welsh, who recently was honored by the organization for her 25 years of service in advancing the organization’s lifesaving efforts in the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue in the state, certainly deserves an accolade.
But Welsh, who has been a key figure at the organization for decades, showed the true spirit of the organization by praising the entire team for its efforts.
“I am honored to work alongside amazing people who understand that what we do is much more than a job — it is a unified mission to save lives and offer caring and compassionate support to donor families during their most difficult times of grief,” she said.
“Our team members, hospital partners and our NJ Sharing Network community have helped us reach new levels of excellence in organ and tissue donation and transplantation.”
Headquartered in New Providence, NJ Sharing Network partners with an extensive network of 54 local hospitals to provide hope for the nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. It is part of the national recovery system for the over 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list.
For five consecutive years, NJ Sharing Network has reported organ donation records, and the number of New Jerseyans saying “yes” to registering as organ and tissue donors is on the rise, as over a million residents joined the New Jersey Donor Registry in 2023, according to the National Donate Life Registry and NJ Motor Vehicle Commission data.
It truly is a team effort, Welsh said.
“Thanks to the generosity of New Jersey organ donors and their families, more organs were transplanted than ever before — ensuring others now have more time to share special moments with their loved ones,” she said.