Donate Life Living Donor Day, observed during National Donate Life Month, honors those who have given the gift of life through living organ and tissue donation. In 2024 alone, more than 7,000 people in the United States donated a kidney or portion of their liver to someone in need.
For Jorge Losch, 65, of Wyckoff, the day is a time of deep reflection and celebration. His kidney donation in 2022 not only saved one life but also launched a chain of transplants that helped eight people across multiple states.
Two days after running a 5K race in Glen Rock, Losch underwent surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center to altruistically donate a kidney to a stranger.
“My kidney donation began a paired kidney exchange, ultimately helping eight people in several states receive the lifesaving transplants they desperately needed,” Losch said.
A paired kidney exchange allows incompatible donor-recipient pairs to be matched with other incompatible pairs. In these cases, each donor gives a kidney to someone else in the exchange, enabling multiple patients to receive compatible transplants.
Because his donation was altruistic, Losch knows little about his recipient. He does know, however, that his kidney went to a 50-year-old woman in Maryland and began functioning immediately.
“I may never meet her, but knowing that my kidney gave her a second chance at life is enough for me,” he said.
Losch’s decision was deeply personal. His wife, Sara, had once tried to become a living donor but was unable to for medical reasons. He had also seen the impact of organ donation through his father-in-law and the daughter of a childhood friend, both liver transplant recipients.
“These experiences made me realize it was time to do something beyond myself — something that could truly change someone’s life,” he said. “I received amazing support and encouragement throughout the process from my wife Sara, our children Jessie and Gabby, and our daughter-in-law Ariel.”
Just seven weeks after surgery, Losch ran another 5K, finishing in 23 minutes, 37 seconds, and placing third in his age group.
“It was proof that you can donate a kidney and still do what you love,” he said.
He’s now looking forward to participating in NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life events, which unite donor families, transplant recipients and supporters to honor the gift of life.
“The 5K Celebration of Life is an incredible event that showcases the power of organ donation,” Losch said. “It’s a time to celebrate those who have given the gift of life and to support those who are still waiting.”
This year’s events will be held:
- Saturday, May 17, in Ocean Grove, N.J.
- Sunday, June 8, in New Providence, N.J.
Proceeds benefit the Sharing Network Foundation. For more information or to register, visit the Sharing Network Foundation 5K website.
To learn more about living or deceased organ and tissue donation, visit the NJ Sharing Network website.
