Morristown Medical Center to Raise Flag for Organ Donors

The mayor of Morristown and a Parsippany resident, who received a life-saving heart transplant, will join organ donor families and officials from NJ Sharing Network and Morristown Medical Center to hoist a “Donate Life” flag in front of the medical center in honor of organ, eye and tissue donors during the month of April, which is Donate Life Month.

Kathy Farrell, a nurse at Morristown Medical Center, will remember her 19 year old son who died six years ago and was able to save the lives of three others through organ donation. Also at the flag raising will be heart transplant recipient Nick Cerbo, who received the gift of life 17 years ago.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16 at 11 a.m. at the flagpole in front of the medical center, 100 Madison Avenue in Morristown. A brief ceremony will take place inside the main lobby of the medical center before the group heads outside to hoist the flag. Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty will present a proclamation, urging people to register to become donors in April.

“There are over 115,000 people on the national transplant waiting list and close to 5,000 in New Jersey alone,” said Joe Roth, president and CEO, NJ Sharing Network. “Approximately 18 die every day on the waiting list, waiting for those precious organs. One organ donor can save eight lives, and enhance the lives of up to 50 others through tissue donation. We are partnering with elected officials and hospitals this month with one key goal: Helping ensure everyone who needs a transplant should be able to get one.”