(New Providence, NJ) – National Minority Donor Awareness Month, celebrated annually in August, honors the generosity of multicultural organ and tissue donors and their families. It also highlights the critical need for diverse communities to register as organ and tissue donors. NJ Sharing Network (NJSN), the federally designated non-profit organization focused on saving and enhancing lives through the recovery of donated organs and tissue, is leading a variety of community awareness activities during this important month. NJSN is sharing the inspirational stories of local organ and tissue donor heroes from multicultural communities to raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents are waiting for a lifesaving transplant, with 67% being people of color. One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 people.
“Our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and community partners are unstoppable in their efforts to educate and dispel myths about organ and tissue donation in our diverse communities throughout New Jersey. We proudly celebrate and honor our donor heroes and their families who say ‘YES’ to saving and enhancing the lives of countless others, giving them more time together, more memories to create and more moments to cherish with loved ones,” said Carolyn M. Welsh, President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network.
E. Denise Peoples, Senior Manager of Community Services, NJ Sharing Network, is a double-lung transplant recipient and Newark resident who promotes NJ Sharing Network’s lifesaving mission in local schools, faith-based organizations, and community associations. “Within our communities of color, we have all experienced how health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure have impacted those around us – our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, friends, and neighbors. That is why there is a greater need than ever for transplants among our ethnic minorities,” said Peoples.
During National Minority Donor Awareness Month, NJ Sharing Network’s website (www.NJSharingNetwork.org) and social media platforms will be updated with information on ways to participate in local activities and events. These include the Live Healthy & Move free community events on August 10 in Vera Ames Community Park in Paterson, and on August 24 in Vailsburg Park in Newark. To learn more, get involved, and join the National Donate Life Registry as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
Forever in Our Hearts – Edward Damirr Ross of Camden, NJ
Edward Damirr Ross, 29, known affectionately as Damirr, had an effervescent energy, charisma, and charm that made others want to be around him.
You could feel his energy when he walked into a room,” said Dana Drummond, his mother. “He didn’t have to say a word – his radiant smile was always memorable. We could always count on him to listen and give the best advice when we needed it most.”
From his earlier days, Damirr had a thirst for knowledge and a love for learning. He excelled academically, earning honors upon graduating from Lenape High School in Medford. “He was an avid reader and was equally dedicated to his physical health and loved to work out,” said Dana.
In recent years, Damirr’s greatest joy was spending time with his two young children, Jace and Jouri.
Tragically, on November 21, 2023, Damirr’s life was cut short unexpectedly. Yet, even in death, his legacy of giving continued through the gift of organ donation. His family made the generous decision to donate his heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas, to save the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds in New Jersey, New York, Boston, Florida, and California.
“During that difficult time in the hospital, we knew it was the right thing to do. Damirr would be so proud that he continues to be a star as his legacy lives on,” said Dana.
Dana is also thankful for the care they received from the Cooper University Medical Center and NJ Sharing Network teams.
“They were sincere and compassionate every step of the way. We appreciate everything they did for us. It blew my mind when we learned that less than one percent of people are able to be organ donors. It made us realize just how special Damirr’s gifts would be,” said Dana.
Lars-Kristofer N. Peterson, MD, Emergency Medicine, Cooper University, expressed his gratitude to Dana and all of Damirr’s family members.
“Their generosity and courage in participating in organ donation are testaments to their resiliency and the bright light that Damirr brought to the world. His impact will continue through them and the gifts he made to the organ recipients,” said Dr. Peterson.
A Dayton/South Brunswick Family Touched by Both Donation and Transplantation
Priya Kannusamy of Dayton/South Brunswick, NJ, is one of NJ Sharing Network’s passionate volunteers who proudly shares her remarkable life journey with the hope of registering people as organ and tissue donors. Her story is one filled with resilience and compassion marked by the impact of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. As both the mother of a deceased daughter who became a tissue donor and a living liver donor to her husband, Priya’s story highlights the transformative power of generosity and the mission of NJ Sharing Network.
Priya’s first experience with donation occurred in 2019 when her daughter, Swathi Prabhakar, 19, passed away. Swathi was an extraordinary young girl who faced the challenges of an extremely rare genetic metabolic disorder. Despite the limitations imposed by her condition, she embraced life with joy and touched the hearts of all who knew her.
“Swathi found delight in princess stories, songs, and movies, and her infectious smile was her trademark,” said Priya. “When she passed away, our focus was on the life she lived and what she could pass on to others. I feel extremely grateful that her cornea and brain tissue donations were a way for her to pay it forward. It brings solace to us every day knowing that Swathi’s legacy lives on through the gift of sight for others. Her brain tissue donation is also helping move science forward through important research.”
While grieving the loss of Swathi, Priya’s husband, Venu Prabhakar, began to face critical health concerns related to his chronic liver disease. He was hospitalized several times and put on the liver transplant waiting list. In 2022, Priya stepped up to be living liver donor for a transplant surgery that saved Venu’s life.
“I did not want to see my husband suffer, and I was willing to do anything in my power to make him better,” said Priya.
Today, Priya and Venu are both living life to its fullest. They work, travel, play pickleball, take daily walks together, and spend quality time with their son, Surya Prabhakar.
A Caring Spirit Lives On – Julian Rosado of Bayonne
Julian Rosado, 31, of Bayonne always brought smiles to the faces of his family, friends, and co-workers. He had a unique ability to make others feel comfortable – especially during difficult times when they needed support.
“He was like a ray of sunshine,” said Mary Jane Rosado, Julian’s mother. “He was quirky and funny, and always had a positive spirit and energy. He especially loved his daughters, Julianna and Cheyenne.”
As a young boy, Julian was diagnosed with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. Despite struggling in school and sports activities, Julian worked hard to earn a degree and became a successful, OSHA-certified plumber. In March 2021, Julian married his sweetheart, Nicole Marie Vallese. The couple looked forward to a bright future together and planned to buy a new home. Just three months later, an unthinkable tragedy occurred when Julian passed away following an accidental fall.
“My husband and I continually prayed for a miracle,” said Mary Jane. “We feel that our prayers were answered. It was not how we expected, but it was God’s way.”
While the family continues to miss Julian, they are proud that his caring legacy lives on as an organ donor. Julian’s gifts saved the lives of three people.
“Now he is like a sunflower, who spreads seeds so more flowers can grow. It comforts me to know that my son, my sunshine, gave others the gift of life,” said Mary Jane.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- Edward Damirr Ross with his son, Jace (Photo Credit – Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
- Priya Kannusamy with her husband, Venu Prabhakar, her daughter, Swathi Prabhakar, and her son, Surya Prabhakar (Photo Credit – Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
- Julian Rosado (Photo Credit – Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)