Community Medical Center Honors Organ & Tissue Donors

TOMS RIVER, NJ - Making the choice to become a registered organ donor takes less than a minute, but the results can be long lasting and life-saving. To honor the selfless decision made by donors and their loved ones, a special event is held every year at Community Medical Center to bring together donors’ families as well as recipients at a special memorial service held in partnership with NJ Sharing Network.

This year’s annual donor memorial event was marked with a special addition. An evergreen tree was planted in the courtyard next to the Main Entrance of the hospital to honor organ, cornea and tissue donors. A plaque was unveiled to commemorate the event. As names of donors were announced, loved ones stepped forward and placed memory stones, inscribed with honorees’ names, at the base of the tree. A flag, with donors’ names written on it, was flown over CMC.

“Like the Donor Tree that now stands in our courtyard, donors live on through the lives they touched,” said Michael Mimoso, MHSA, FACHE, President & CEO, Community Medical Center. “It will serve as a constant reminder of our heroic donors, their families, our recipients and everyone involved in their care.”

The mother of an organ donor, Jane Buckiewicz, spoke about her son Dan and how he made his wishes known about becoming an organ donor just days before his fatal accident. Telling his mother that should something happen to him, someone else would be able to benefit from his ‘beautiful green eyes’. Not only were his corneas donated to two different people, helping them to regain sight, his liver and kidneys saved other lives as well. David Yakencheck shared his gratitude for the generous choice a 19 year old had made to become an organ donor, ultimately leading to his life-saving heart transplant over five years ago.

During the event, a memorial quilt, and photos of honorees were on display.

“I am so proud of our team at Community Medical Center and their commitment to saving lives and giving people a second chance in life through organ and tissue donation,” said Marley Nicolas, MSN, RN, Organ Donation Liaison, Community Medical Center.

Those interested in learning more about organ donation or becoming a donor can visit donatelifenj.org for details.

Community Medical Center has been nationally recognized for donation advocacy, most recently with ‘platinum’ recognition from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services.

About Community Medical Center

Community Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, offers a comprehensive array of services including sophisticated neurology and neurosurgery services with a neuro-interventional lab with a bi-plane, and a Level 3 Epilepsy program for children and adults. Our cardiac care features three cardiac catheterization labs and elective and emergency angioplasty programs for patients with heart disease. Patients have access to advanced cancer care including one of the most sophisticated linear accelerators used for radiation therapy and a CyberKnife for treating inoperable tumors. Surgical services include two daVinci robotic surgical platforms, and the hospital’s commitment to technology is evidenced by access to advanced imaging equipment not typically found in a community hospital. As a trusted provider of maternal and children’s services, a Level 2 special care nursery with onsite neonatologists for newborns requiring special care, a dedicated pediatric unit and a pediatrician in the Emergency Department are provided.

Community Medical Center’s cancer program has been accredited by the Commission on Cancer of The American College of Surgeons since 1986 and is the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award, one of only two cancer programs in New Jersey to earn this designation, and also offers an accredited Breast Center. The Joint Commission has awarded the hospital their Gold Seal of Approval for the care of Stroke, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Heart Failure and Total Joint Replacement – Hip and Knee and our Cardiac Rehabilitation program.