The Power Of Organ Donation: Plainfield Woman Shares Her Story

PLAINFIELD, NJ — Lakisha Bray is an incredibly strong and resilient woman who is spreading the importance of organ donation through her story of losing her daughter and sister within 6 months of each other.

Bray of Plainfield will also be participating in both NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life in New Providence in June and the 5K at the Transplant Games in the Meadowlands this July in the memory of both her daughter and sister.

She became involved in the NJ Sharing Network in 2015 after the loss of her daughter and sister.

Bray’s daughter, Talea, was born with cerebral palsy and was told she would not make it to the age of five.

Just before her 21st birthday Talea died of a seizure and that’s when Bray decided to donate her organs. Talia was able to save three lives with her gifts.

"I wouldn't have had it any other way than to share the gift of life," Bray said. "My daughter, who loved people and life, why wouldn't I want to share her gift with someone else? I know that someone who received my daughter's heart is walking around and know my daughter still lives because of that."

Tragedy then hit six month’s after Talea's death when Bray's sister Tabitha died. She had been battling an illness and was on the waiting list for an intestinal transplant.

"My sister who needed a transplant passed away without being able to receive the gift of life," Bray said. "That’s how I decided to become an advocate for organ donation. I was touched on both sides. I was able to give the gift of life and had a family member not be able to receive the gift life."

To honor both of their memories and to bring awareness to organ donation Bray will be participating in a 5K.

"I am very excited, this is the first year donor families are able to participate," Bray said. "So for me it is about bringing awareness in regards to organ donation."

115,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving transplant and nearly 4,000 live in New Jersey. Nationwide, 20 people die each day waiting on this list, according to the NJ Sharing Network.

To learn more about organ donation visit njsharingnetwork.org.

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