Organ Donation Called Ultimate Gift of Compassion

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2015

To mark the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, NJ Sharing Network is reminding the public that most religions, including Catholicism, support organ and tissue donation. Pope Francis described the act of organ donation as “a testimony of love for our neighbor” when he met with the Transplant Committee for the Council of Europe, which gathered in Rome last year.
“As Pope Francis travels in the United States, we want to spread his poignant words about organ donation. At NJ Sharing Network, we know that donation is a generous, life-saving gift. We are grateful that Pope Francis has spoken so positively about the gift of life,” said Joe Roth, President and Chief Executive Officer of NJ Sharing Network.
Pope Francis is not the first pope to speak in favor of donation. Pope John Paul II said, “The Catholic Church is clear that, in itself organ donation is a good and meritorious thing. It’s a powerful expression of human solidarity. Such actions can help build a culture of life, a culture in which life is cherished.”
Not only does the Church accept organ, eye and tissue donation, it also recognizes donation as a great act of charity and love. Pope John Paul II also said, “The Catholic Church promotes the fact that there is a need for organ donors and that Christians should accept this as a challenge to their generosity and fraternal love. One of the most powerful ways for individuals to demonstrate love for their neighbor is by making the informed decision to be an organ donor.”
Nearly 5,000 people in New Jersey are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. This miraculous task of providing life-saving organ transplants to the men, women and children on the transplant waiting list would not be possible without the selfless decision of those who register as organ and tissue donors. Registering as a donor makes a strong statement about the kind of person you are and want to be and relieves your family from the burden of having to make the decision for you during a time of trauma and loss. One organ and tissue donor can save and heal the lives of more than 50 people – a life-changing gift to the recipients, their family members and the community on a whole.
Registering as an organ and tissue donor shows an individual’s compassion for others, and can change lives forever.
You too can save lives. In honor of Pope Francis’s visit to the United States this September, register as an organ and tissue donor today

Strong words, from our Pope.

Lynne