Rockaway Resident and Liver Transplant Recipient Emily Barkocy Honors Her Organ Donor and Celebrates the Gift of Life at NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life
(Rockaway, NJ) – Emily Barkocy of Rockaway, NJ, is counting her blessings every day thanks to her lifesaving liver transplant. She’s preparing to celebrate life in a big way with her loved ones at NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the organization’s headquarters in New Providence.
Emily and her growing 5K team, “Team Live(r) Big,” will walk and run together to honor the memory of her organ donor and to support NJ Sharing Network’s mission to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
“Every moment I have now is because of my donor’s selfless gift, and I carry that gratitude with me in everything I do,” said Emily. “Thanks to my organ donor, my husband Tom and I have been able to watch our twin daughters, Tennyson and Reagan, start school, celebrate birthdays, go on adventures as a family, and create memories I was so close to losing. The 5K Celebration of Life is one of the most powerful and meaningful days of the year for me. I’m excited to walk alongside other donor families, transplant recipients, and supporters to honor the incredible legacy of organ and tissue donors who gave the precious gift.”
Just two years ago, Emily’s life took a shocking and sudden turn. In July 2022, the then-40-year-old active mom of twin girls, wife, daughter, and Assistant Principal at Morris Hills High School went from perfectly healthy to experiencing severe symptoms that led to an emergency hospital admission. What she thought was the flu turned out to be acute liver failure, a rare condition that only affects about 10 out of every 1 million Americans each year.
Doctors at Morristown Medical Center quickly transferred Emily via medevac to NYU Langone Transplant Institute thanks to Morristown Medical Center’s affiliation with NYU Langone Health. Emily was told her only hope for survival was a liver transplant within 24 hours.
Against overwhelming odds, a matching liver became available, and Emily underwent an 11-hour lifesaving transplant surgery.
Since her transplant, Emily has embraced her “new normal” with courage and grace. She has become a passionate advocate for NJ Sharing Network, sharing her story to inspire others and educate young people, including her students at Morris Hills High School.
“Organ and tissue donation isn’t just about saving lives - it’s about giving individuals the chance to return to the people and the roles that matter most,” said Emily. “My daughters still have their mom. I get to show up for them and teach them about resilience, strength, and gratitude. I hope one day I can thank my donor’s family in person. Their decision changed everything for me.”
Emily’s participation in NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life is one way she honors her donor and connects with the caring community that helped her heal. Each year, her team grows larger, and her message of hope and gratitude grows stronger.
“There are so many stories like mine in the donation and transplantation community — stories of second chances and hope, all made possible by generous donors and their families,” said Emily. “I encourage everyone to register as an organ and tissue donor. You never know whose life you might save.”
NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life Walk and USATF Certified Races will be held on Saturday, May 17, in Ocean Grove, and on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in New Providence, NJ. The Ocean Grove 5K is presented by MTF Biologics, and the New Providence 5K is presented by RWJBarnabas Health.
NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life is one of the Garden State’s largest and most-recognized charitable events. For 15 years, NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life has brought together thousands of transplant recipients, donor families, living donors and dedicated volunteers and advocates. Funds raised by event participants, teams, sponsors, and contributors will support the Sharing Network Foundation, which is committed to increasing the number of lives saved through clinical advancement, family support, public awareness and education.
To sign up to participate in the 5K Celebration of Life or contribute to a team, visit www.SharingNetworkFoundation.org/5K.
For more information on organ and tissue donation or to register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
PHOTO CAPTION – “Team Live(r) Big” gets set to participate in NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life event
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