On September 12, thousands of walkers, runners and volunteers participated in NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life Walk and USATF Certified Race at the organization’s headquarters in New Providence, NJ. The event, which was presented by Hackensack Meridian Health and Pfizer and supported by dozens of other generous sponsors, honored those who gave the gift of organ and tissue, paid tribute to those who have received a transplant, offered hope to those currently waiting for a transplant and remembered the lives lost while waiting for the gift of life.
Family members and friends of the late Cynthia (Cindy) Von Schmidt, 55, of New Egypt, NJ, gathered together to form the “Cindy’s Amazing Grace” 5K team to honor her memory and show their support for NJ Sharing Network’s life-saving mission. Cindy, who passed away in 2016, was an organ and tissue donor who saved four lives and enhanced the lives of many others. Members of “Cindy’s Amazing Grace” offered the following message during the 5K Celebration of Life:
Cindy passed away in February 2016 of a brain aneurysm. She was 55 years young, married for 35 years and a mother of two. Besides her family she had three passions. Cindy was an avid skier, a beach lover and atop it all, a baker – a true connoisseur.
Cindy would spend months baking Christmas cookies for family and friends. Along with her daughter’s help, they would decorate and ship them all over the world! From the mountains of California to our military bases in around the globe – her cookies have been there.
Cindy was the most generous woman, always offering her hand to those who needed it. From organizing donations and fundraisers for those who needed help to rescuing dogs, Cindy made many efforts to help those she could. The day she left us, she gave the ultimate gift of four life-saving donations and multiple tissue donations to help others!
About NJ Sharing Network
Dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation, NJ Sharing Network is the non-profit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for the nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents waiting for a life-saving transplant. With headquarters in New Providence, NJ, the organization, selected by NJBIZ as one of the state’s “Best Places to Work” for the fourth consecutive year, is also part of the national recovery system, serving the 110,000 people on the national waiting list. To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.