Teen’s legacy lives on: jackson girl saved five lives through organ donation

Teen’s legacy lives on: Jackson girl saved five lives through organ donation

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1 min read
February 2, 2026

JACKSON, N.J. – What began as a tragic loss became a story of hope for several families after 15-year-old Hailey Palumbo’s life was cut short in a 2017 motor vehicle accident. Her family’s decision to honor her dream of saving lives through organ donation has since given others the gift of a second chance.

Born on August 18, 2001, Hailey was known by friends and family as vibrant, compassionate, and full of energy. “Those who knew and loved Hailey recognized her as an energetic, good-hearted girl that brought joy to others and lit up a room when she walked in,” her mother, Janet Palumbo, said. “Hailey was the ‘Life of the Party,’ and she had countless friends who always wanted to be around her.”

A sophomore at Jackson Memorial High School, Hailey participated in the Junior Air Force ROTC Program and dreamed of serving in the Air Force before studying to become a surgeon. “She was filled with big dreams and knew that her purpose in life was to make a positive impact on others,” her mother said. “Hailey’s dream was to save lives.”

When Hailey passed away on May 23, 2017, her family faced an unimaginable decision. The team from NJ Sharing Network, which coordinates organ and tissue donations across the state, spoke with the Palumbo family about donation. In that moment, they chose to turn their loss into life for others.

Hailey’s organ and tissue donations saved five lives and healed many more. Her family later met several of the recipients, including John, who received one of Hailey’s kidneys, and Hannah, her liver recipient. “Our family is comforted by knowing that these amazing individuals have a better quality of life thanks to Hailey’s gifts,” Janet said. “We take pride in knowing that Hailey’s dream of saving lives came true.”

Key Points:

  • Fifteen-year-old Hailey Palumbo of Jackson died in a 2017 car accident.
  • Her organ and tissue donations saved five lives and healed many others.
  • Her family continues to honor her memory through connections with recipients and NJ Sharing Network.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

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