New Jersey’s Michael Rizzo Sponsored by the Sharing Network Foundation and MTF Biologics to Participate in the 2025 Rose Parade

(New Providence, NJ) – The Sharing Network Foundation, which supports the work of NJ Sharing Network (NJSN), the federally designated non-profit organization responsible for the recovery of donated organs and tissue in the Garden State, hosted a reception to honor heart and tissue recipient Michael Rizzo of Upper Saddle River, NJ, as he gets set to participate in the 2025 Rose Parade? in Pasadena, CA, on New Year’s Day.

Rizzo has dedicated his life to serving others as both a paramedic and police officer. His commitment to public service faced a significant challenge two decades ago when a devastating arm fracture threatened to end his career. However, thanks to the remarkable generosity of a tissue donor, Rizzo’s arm was successfully reconstructed, allowing him to continue his vital work of saving and protecting lives.

Years later, Rizzo's journey took another unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition. This time, an organ donor provided the lifeline he needed. A successful heart transplant gave Rizzo a second chance at life.

“I am forever grateful to my organ and tissue donor heroes,” said Rizzo. “I am proud to honor their memories as a rider on OneLegacy’s Donate Life Rose Parade? float. Participating in the 2025 Rose Parade? is an incredible opportunity to showcase organ and tissue donation in a positive light. I thank the Sharing Network Foundation and MTF Biologics for co-sponsoring me and helping to make this journey possible.”

Rizzo volunteers his time and energy to support NJ Sharing Network and MTF Biologics. His personal experiences with both organ and tissue transplants have fueled his passionate advocacy for organ and tissue donation. He inspires others through his dynamic speaking presentations at community events to raise awareness. He also goes above and beyond to support the Sharing Network Foundation's 5K Celebration of Life. His team, “The Beat Lives On,” was formed by family and friends to celebrate his life, offer hope to those on the transplant waiting list.

Rizzo lives in Upper Saddle River with his longtime partner, Dr. Edward Hahn, Jr. His story is a powerful testament to the impact of both organ and tissue donation, and he vows to continue using his voice and platform to raise awareness.

PHOTO CAPTION

Michael Rizzo of Upper Saddle River, NJ, stands next to a rendering of OneLegacy’s Donate Life Rose Parade? float during a reception at NJ Sharing Network as he prepares to participate in the 2025 Rose Parade? in Pasadena, CA, on New Year’s Day. Rizzo was sponsored by the Sharing Network Foundation and MTF Biologics to ride on OneLegacy’s Donate Life Rose Parade? float, which is recognized as the world’s most visible campaign to inspire organ and tissue donation. (Photo Credit – Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)

ABOUT ONELEGACY'S DONATE LIFE ROSE PARADE? FLOAT

For 22 years, OneLegacy's Donate Life Rose Parade? float has inspired people worldwide to save and heal lives with the powerful message of organ and tissue donation. Transplant recipients from around the nation (including Michael Rizzo) will ride on the float, and living donors will walk alongside it. Memorial floragraphs honoring organ and tissue donor heroes will also be displayed on the float. The floragraphs replicate photographs and are made entirely of flowers, seeds, and organic materials.

ABOUT NJ SHARING NETWORK

NJ Sharing Network, headquartered in New Providence, NJ, is the federally designated non-profit organization focused on saving and enhancing lives through the recovery of donated organs and tissue in the Garden State. NJ Sharing Network partners with 54 local hospitals to provide hope for nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and is part of the national recovery system for over 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list. NJ Sharing Network has reported organ donation records for five consecutive years, with over three million New Jerseyans registered as organ and tissue donors, according to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC). Recognized by NJBIZ as one of the state’s ‘Best Places to Work’ for seven consecutive years, NJ Sharing Network is among the top-performing organ procurement organizations (OPO) in the nation. To learn more, get involved, and join the National Donate Life Registry as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.

ABOUT THE SHARING NETWORK FOUNDATION

The Sharing Network Foundation supports the work of NJ Sharing Network, the federally designated non-profit organization responsible for the recovery of donated organs and tissue in the Garden State. The Foundation is committed to increasing the number of lives saved through clinical advancement, family support, public awareness and education about the lifesaving benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. For more information or to make a contribution, visit www.SharingNetworkFoundation.org.

ABOUT MTF BIOLOGICS

MTF Biologics is a global non-profit organization that saves and heals lives by honoring donated gifts, serving patients and advancing science. They provide unmatched service, resources, and expertise to donors and their loved ones who give the gift of donation, people who depend on tissue and organ transplants, healthcare providers, and clinicians and scientists. The International Institute for the Advancement of Medicine (IIAM), a Division of MTF Biologics, honors donors of non-transplantable organs by providing their gifts to the medical research community to combat and cure diseases. Statline, also a Division of MTF Biologics, provides specialized communications and technology expertise to organ, tissue, and eye procurement organizations, as well as the hospitals and patients that they serve. Its sister organization, Deutsches Institute for Zell-und Gewebeersatz – DIZG (The German Institute for Cell and Tissue Transplantation) expands its reach to patients across the globe. For more information, visit www.mtfbiologics.org.