SHARING LIFE… SHARING MEMORIES Finding Comfort During Loss On October 3, 2017, Janet Myer experienced unthinkable loss when her son, Shane, was tragically killed in a car accident on Route 80 while driving to work. Shane was only 21 years old, and he had already accomplished his goal of becoming a distinguished diesel mechanic and was a member of the Wyckoff Fire Department Protection Co. #1. Janet has found some sense of comfort in knowing that Shane’s organ and tissue donations have saved and enhanced the lives of many. “NJ Sharing Network has been a lifeline for me and my younger son, Brandon,” said Janet. “Virtual Advocacy Night is something I look forward to, although sometimes I can only type my story as I am unable to speak about the tragedy. We had no idea that Shane was a registered organ and tissue donor until after the car accident, and I had no idea what NJ Sharing Network was about. I have found peace and compassion through Advocacy Night. Volunteering for NJ Sharing Network is where I am meant to be.” For information about upcoming Advocacy Night events, visit NJSharingNetwork.org/volunteer.
Janet Myer, mother of Shane, whose selfless gifts touched the lives of over 70 people.
2019
2020
More organ donors in NJ than ever before (206)
Record high of 222 organ donors is achieved despite unprecedented transplant challenges and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic
10 Circle of Life
A Family’s Donation Connection The sudden and unexpected loss of Paula Rubenacker, 45, of Wayne, hurt the hearts of many in our local communities. The happily married mother of two was a popular School Social Worker and Guidance Counselor at Washington Elementary School in Wyckoff. While each day may now be a
Paula and Matt Rubenacker enjoyed vacation time with their daughters, Lea and Eryn
challenge for her husband Matt, he finds some strength in his family’s connection to organ and tissue donation. “Paula’s tragic passing comes with a great deal of sadness, but there is a ray of sunshine to brighten our story,” said Matt. “Paula’s life was spent helping others, and she was always incredibly supportive of organ donation. Through this tragedy, her gift of life is already helping others. With the help of the dedicated staff at NJ Sharing Network, Paula’s loss has given life and hope to others. It is hard to imagine a more loving, a more kind, or a more selfless act than this.” The Rubenacker family’s connection to organ donation and NJ Sharing Network dates back more than 20 years. Matt’s mother, Jackie, donated one of her kidneys to help save the life of Paula’s mother, Pat, who
enjoyed an additional 15 years of spending precious time with her family. NJ Sharing Network, in collaboration with St. Joseph’s Hospital, honored Paula with a special NJ Sharing Network flag raising ceremony. A Tradition of Giving Bobby Ring, President of Meyer & Depew, a community-based heating & cooling company in Kenilworth, has been a powerful advocate for organ and tissue donation for many decades. In 1984, Bobby donated one of his kidneys to save the life of his sister, Kathleen Ring-Allegra, who suffered from systemic lupus erythematosus, a rare disorder of the immune system. The successful transplant surgery gave Kathleen many additional years of life until she passed away in 1999. “Donating my kidney to my sister was a no brainer for me and we were a perfect match,” said Bobby. “To this day, I have had absolutely no negative consequences to my health due to my kidney donation.” In the years following the transplant, Bobby and Kathleen teamed up to spread awareness for NJ Sharing Network’s mission by giving dozens of presentations detailing their amazing story.
News article from a 1984 issue of The Courier News highlighting Bobby Ring’s kidney donation to his sister, Kathleen Ring-Allegra.
2021 The Immuno Bill passes to extend Medicare Part B coverage for the lifetime of the transplanted kidney
First person authorization reaches an all-time high as 32% of donors documented their legally binding gift
Highest number of livers ever recovered for transplant (151) in a single year
Facilitated NJ’s first DCD (Donation After Cardiac Death) heart recovery and transplant
