NJ Sharing Network Celebrates Día de los Muertos with Special Altar Display Honoring the Lives and Legacies of Local Organ and Tissue Donors
(New Providence, NJ) – In honor of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), NJ Sharing Network’s headquarters in New Providence features a colorful altar honoring local organ and tissue donors and recognizing the lasting impact of their generosity.
The altar includes nearly 100 photos of organ and tissue donors, and more than 150 family members and loved ones visited NJ Sharing Network this past weekend to view the display and pay tribute to those they have lost. The altar reflects the spirit of remembrance and gratitude at the heart of this cherished tradition, while also raising awareness about organ and tissue donation and encouraging others to register as donors.
Día de los Muertos, observed on November 1 and 2, is a time for families and communities to honor loved ones who have passed. Rooted in Mexican tradition and embraced across many Hispanic cultures, the celebration blends Indigenous and Catholic customs through altars, marigolds, candles, and offerings known as ofrendas, creating opportunities for families to maintain meaningful connections with those they have lost.
“Día de los Muertos offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the lives of those who have passed and the ways they continue to touch others. Each photo represents a life, a family, and a story that deserves to be remembered. We are honored to provide a space where donor families can share their loved ones’ stories and show how their generosity continues to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Carolyn M. Welsh, President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network.
To view the tribute photos featured on NJ Sharing Network’s Día de los Muertos altar, visit www.njsharingnetwork.org/ddlm/.
According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), more than 100,000 Americans – including more than 3,000 New Jerseyans – are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Each day, 13 people across the country die while waiting for a transplant, and a new person is added to the national waiting list every eight minutes. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, while one tissue donor can enhance the lives of more than 75 people.
To learn more or to register as an organ and tissue donor, visit NJ Sharing Network’s website at www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
PHOTO CREDIT – Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network