Giving Back After a Second Chance at LifeThe medicine which kept Keath alive until his transplant also destroyed his liver and he received a liver transplant at the same time during a 12 hour surgery to give him a true second chance at life.

It has been less than a year since Keath Gerald’s life was saved by organ donation and transplantation, but he is already paying it forward in his community. Unfortunately, there are 5,000 people in New Jersey in need of a life-saving transplant as Keath once was and there are not enough available organs. Volunteers like Keath work with NJ Sharing Network, the nonprofit organization in New Jersey responsible for saving lives throughorgan and tissue donation, to encourageothers to learn more about donation.

It has been a busy few months for Keath as he has spoken at hospitals, presented to high school students and shared his story with the media. One highlight is NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life at Bergen Community College where Keath volunteered for the day.

The 5K Celebration of Life is a gathering of the organ and tissue donation community to honor those who have given the gift of life, pay tribute to those who have receivedtransplants, offer hope to those who arewaiting for a transplant and remember those whose lives were lost while waiting for the gift

of life. April’s event was NJ Sharing Network’s first of three locations for the 5K Celebration of Life event in 2016.

Keath and 10,000 others now look forward to June 5 when the second 5K Celebration of Life event will be held at NJ Sharing Network’s headquarters in New Providence, NJ. The day consists of a USATF Certified 5K Race, a 5K walk, food, music, prizes and more. Those interested can start a team, sign up as aparticipant, make a contribution or volunteer.

The third and final event of 2016 will be held on August 21 at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ. Keath will walk with his team, Heartopia, in celebration of the one yearanniversary of his life-saving transplants.

Over 531 lives were saved thanks to thegenerosity of organ donors and their families in New Jersey in 2015, but there is a lot of work left to do. Volunteers like Keath and events like the 5K Celebration of Life help to save more lives and give families more time with their loved ones.

To learn more, get involved and registeras an organ and tissue donor, visitwww.NJSharingNetwork.org

Keath, 3rd from left, with other volunteers at NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life.

Funds raised by the NJ Sharing Network Foundation provide research, donor family support, education and public awareness about the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

. Start or Join a Team . Sign up as an Individual . Make a Contribution . Sponsor . Volunteerwww.NJSharingNetwork.org/5K

Whether you participate in the 5K or the many other event festivities, join us for afun-filled celebration including music, snacks, prizes and exciting activities for all ages.

#NJSN #NJSN5K #CelebrateLife

JOIN US AT NJ SHARING NETWORK’S5K CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Gerald of Plainfield, New Jersey knows this firsthand.

At only 22 years old, Keath’s health was failing. Doctors discovered that he had an irregular heartbeat and needed to see a cardiologist to figure out his next steps. Little did Keath know that he would soon find out that he needed a heart transplant in order to survive.

Keath’s heart was only functioning at 32 percent. He needed a defibrillator implanted to control his heartbeat and was prescribed medicine that brought its own side effects and dangers. Daily life became a struggle as he dealt with continual fatigue. Time was running out and Keath desperately needed a miracle.

In August 2015, a miracle finally came for Keath when he received his heart transplant. However, that was not the only life-saving gift he received.

O rgan and tissue donation and transplantation saves lives and Keath

APRIL 24, 2016 • 5K Walk/Run • Paramus, NJ

JUNE 5, 2016 • 5K Walk & USATF Certified Race • New Providence, NJ AUGUST 21, 2016 • 5K Walk/Run • Lincroft, NJ

THANKS FORYOUR SUPPORT!