Neighbor News
Newark Motorcycle Club Celebrates the Greatest Gift: The Gift of Life
Iron Knights Motorcycle Club to Serve as Course Marshals for 5K Run/Walk this Sunday
When NJ Sharing Network holds its 5th Annual 5K Celebration of Life this Sunday, with its 5K Walk and USATF Certified Race around New Providence, runners and walkers will be safeguarded by the Iron Knights Motorcycle Club, which makes its home in the Ironbound section of Newark.
That’s because the club has two members who are organ transplant recipients, and the club president’s 28-year-old niece, Gina Andrade of Newark, saved lives as an organ and tissue donor. Gina will be honored by a 57-member race team, known as Lil Gypsy, who remembers her generous donation of liver, kidneys, tissue and corneas in November 2002.
“I love that motorcycle club,” said Debbie Sztybel of Roselle Park, Gina’s mother. “They are out there on the course in their black leather jackets, looking every bit like a biker group. They are a great bunch of guys… and girls, too!”
Darius Webster of Newark, a club member who received a kidney transplant two years ago, said they will have 12 members of the Iron Knights stationed at intersections and around the orange cones on the course, keeping the runners and walkers on track. He said this is the second consecutive year the Iron Knights are volunteering for NJ Sharing Network.
“To us, this is about spreading awareness of the important need for people to be registered organ and tissue donors,” said Webster, who was on dialysis for seven years before getting his kidney at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. “There are nearly 5,000 people on the waiting list in New Jersey for life-saving organs. So, we get involved to help people become aware.”
Jack McDermott of Belleville, another Iron Knight, said he received a liver transplant on Oct. 20, 2001 at University Hospital in Newark. He said he proudly wears a pin on the race course that indicates he is a recipient. “When people come around the course, they say `thank you’ to me,” he said. “No, no, this has nothing to do with me. It’s all about the people who generously gave organs and tissue. I’m just a guy who benefitted from their generosity. They are heroes.”
George Lodato, the club president and Gina’s uncle, said the Iron Knights are involved to help show the community that NJ Sharing Network saves lives. “What this organization does is such a great thing,” said Lodato, of Union Township. “We’re just trying to give back the best way we can.”
To sign up, to start or join a team, and to learn more about the event and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
