Morris Plains Resident Honored As 'Champion Of Diversity'

Press release from NJ Sharing Network:

Oct. 24, 2021

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey honored Morris Plains, NJ, resident Joseph S. Roth, President and CEO, NJ Sharing Network, as a “Champion of Diversity” for his outstanding work in promoting equal economic opportunity and diversity in New Jersey. The “Champions of Diversity” awards were presented during a reception in Somerset on October 6.

Roth was recognized for NJ Sharing Network’s innovative #DonationNeedsDiversity program, an initiative to encourage multicultural communities to become more involved in saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation. There are nearly 4,000 people in New Jersey currently waiting for life-saving transplants – 66% are people of color. #DonationNeedsDiversity played a critical role in generating a 14% increase in New Jersey organ and tissue donor registrations in 2020.

“On behalf of our team at NJ Sharing Network, it is an honor to be recognized by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the African American Chamber of Commerce,” said Roth. “Community outreach and education is an integral and heartfelt part of our life-saving mission at NJ Sharing Network. Our dedicated team is fortunate to be surrounded by a wide and diverse range of community volunteers and partners who are committed to powering our #DonationNeedsDiversity campaign to help save lives and improve the health and wellbeing of our neighbors.”

#DonationNeedsDiversity is strategically promoted on social and news media channels, and through traditional posters, flyers and e-newsletters. However, the campaign’s most-effective and unique approach breaks down barriers through key community and hospital relationships and a series of ‘real talk’ discussions, including online youth forums, a national living kidney transplant program broadcasted live to remote high school students, faith-based panel discussions, and a scholarship program for inner city high school seniors helped engage new audiences. These interactive activities move beyond transplant to focus on nutrition, healthy living and finding access to health services.

“Each year in New Jersey, thousands of lives are saved and enhanced through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Clearly, this is something to celebrate. However, there is an urgent need to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation to help save more lives in our diverse communities of New Jersey,” said Roth. “Although organs are not matched according to race and ethnicity, and people of different races frequently match one another, all individuals waiting for an organ transplant will have a better chance of receiving one if there are large numbers of donors from multicultural communities.”

For more information about ways to get involved and support the #DonationNeedsDiversity campaign, please visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org/donation-needs-diversity.

To register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.

The two Chambers are working together to address the economic inequities that exist for Black citizens and Black business owners in the state. They are focusing their efforts on education, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for people of color. In addition to Roth, other “Champions of Diversity” honorees included Dr. Daniel Jean, Assistant Provost for Special Programs, Montclair State University, and Eloise Samuels, one of the Founders and President, New Jersey Orators.

This press release was produced by NJ Sharing Network. The views expressed here are the author's own.