Nicole Izquiero of Point Pleasant is just one of the many New Jerseyans that are sharing their personal connection to organ and tissue donation and transplantation to inspire others to register as donors.
Nicole is a Surgical Recovery Specialist at NJ Sharing Network, and she has a strong passion for saving and enhancing lives.
She is inspired every day by the memory of her mother and father, Antoinette and Eugino Lazzaro, who both gave the gift of sight to others through cornea donation.
“My mother and father are forever in my heart, but it is comforting to know that their gifts have allowed others to see again and enjoy moments with their children and families,” said Nicole. “It is an honor for me to be a part of NJ Sharing Network’s life-saving mission working alongside our dedicated team and healthcare partners.”
Nicole’s father passed away on April 5, 2000, when she was 13 years old. Her mother passed away on March 29, 2019. Nicole received a letter confirming that her mother’s eye corneas helped restore sight for two people in Michigan.
In New Jersey, there are nearly 4,000 residents currently waiting for a life-saving transplant, and one person in New Jersey dies every three days waiting for a transplant. Just one organ and tissue donor can save 8 lives and enhance the lives of over 75 people.
Transplantable organs include heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and intestine. Transplantable tissue includes corneas, heart valves, skin grafts, and bone grafts, ligament and tendons.
To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.