NJ Sharing Donor Family Event

Today was bittersweet. I attended the NJ Sharing Network's Donor Family Recognition, and it was absolutely beautiful. It was in a gorgeous hall in New Brunswick called The Palace. When you walk in you're greeted by employees and handed a book filled with photos of all the donors. A small walk inside and there was an area with about a dozen poster boards and quilts, all with photos and quotes submitted by the families.

After a brief period of meeting everyone and mingling with those at your table, speakers began to take the stage and tell their own stories. One speaker was a young woman who had a heart attack at only 16 years old. She said she was on some kind of experimental treatment for months, until she received a heart transplant from a 18 year old girl who had lost her life.

Everyone's story was moving, I caught myself and a few others shedding some tears. When the speakers were done, the volunteers presented each family with a rose and a medal honoring their loved one, along with a framed memorial quote. It was a truly touching event, and I am so grateful that this organization did this for all of us.

Amongst the presentation, The Palace staff served a delicious meal that was cooked to perfection. We were started with a salad of New York state field greens with red and yellow pear tomatoes topped with a champagne and shallot vinaigrette.

The entree was a duet of Mignon of aged beef and spinach stuffed breast of capon. On the side was rosemary roasted wild mushrooms and Cabernet whipped potatoes, topped with a natural reduction.

For dessert was a warm granny smith apple and almond tart. It had a dollop of cinnamon stick ice cream and a splash of baked apple and almond cream.