Losing my son, Dennis Andrew Vaccaro, was the hardest moment of my life. But in the midst of our grief, knowing that Dennis continued to help others through organ donation has been a powerful source of comfort for our family.
Dennis lived a life full of purpose, and his legacy of care, courage, and sacrifice remains with us – a reminder of the impact he had on others, both in life and beyond.
Dennis joined the Army in 2016 and served with the 82nd Airborne Division as an airborne combat medic. Throughout his five years in the military, including a tour in Afghanistan, Dennis’s devotion to others never wavered.
He was the kind of soldier who’ volunteer his leave time so a friend could be with family. That selflessness was his hallmark. Dennis had a way of always putting others first, even in the smallest things.
When Dennis’s life was tragically cut short in a motorcycle accident in June 2023, his commitment to helping others continued as an organ donor.
His donated heart, kidneys, and liver went on to save four lives in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, giving his recipients the opportunity to create more memories with their loved ones.
For us, knowing that Dennis’s gifts helped save others has been deeply healing. We like to call his donations “super gifts.” This has brought us great pride, knowing that Dennis’s legacy lives on in a way that reflects his compassion and strength.
His story has inspired us to support NJ Sharing Network’s mission by encouraging others to consider registering as organ and tissue donors.
The impact of one donor is amazing: a single person can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others through tissue donation.
However, less than 1% of deaths meet the specific medical criteria necessary for organ donation, making the need for registered donors incredibly pressing.
According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), over 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant in the United States, with nearly 4,000 of those individuals residing here in New Jersey.
I encourage everyone to consider saying ‘YES’ to organ and tissue donation. Dennis would have wanted people to make the choice to save lives, just as he did. To learn more or to register as an organ and tissue donor, please click here.
A note about NJ Sharing Network: it is a nonprofit organization based in New Providence. It focused on saving and enhancing lives through the recovery of donated organs and tissues. NJSN partners with 54 hospitals to provide support to donor families and is among the top organ procurement organizations in the nation. For more information on becoming an organ and tissue donor, click here.
