April is National Donate Life Month – a time to celebrate the power of organ and tissue donation, honor the selfless donors who have saved and enhanced lives, and inspire more people to register as donors. At Cooper, we are proud to stand alongside our partners at NJ Sharing Network in championing this lifesaving mission.
Every day, lives are transformed through the gift of donation, yet the need remains great. More than 100,000 people across the country are waiting for a transplant, including nearly 4,000 here in New Jersey. At Cooper, in 2024, we facilitated the highest number of organ donors and organs transplanted of any of NJ Sharing Network partnered hospitals with 29 legacy donations saving 89 lives.
Throughout April, we will join communities across the state in raising awareness about the critical need for organ and tissue donation and recognizing the incredible impact of donors and their families. Show your support by wearing blue and green—the colors of donation—on National Blue and Green Day, on Friday, April 11, 2025.
We thank the many members of Cooper’s Donor Council and those who support our patients and family during these crucial moments. Please read the grateful caregiver letter below:
Tess Kathryn Fox
Organ Donor
“My daughter Tess was involved in a hit-and-run accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. After being moved to Cooper University Health Care, we were told she would not recover. A few years ago, while renewing our driver’s licenses, we both checked the box for organ donation. I guess no one ever thinks they’ll have to face what that truly means—until the day comes when you do.
“Organ donation is more than just checking a box on your driver’s license. The meaning and ultimate sacrifice go far beyond that simple checkmark.
“At 32, Tess was just starting her married life. She had bought a house, adopted a rescue dog, planned a trip to England, and was about to publish her first children’s book about her dog. To say she is missing out on the best years of her life is an understatement.
“Tess’s final gifts helped change four lives. We miss her every second of every day, but we hold onto the positivity of knowing we honored her final wishes.
“When you realize your loved one cannot return to you, you’re faced with the heart-wrenching decision to let them go with dignity and to find meaning in their loss. Organ donation offers the chance to give another person a better life—if not life itself. A part of your loved one lives on, and that brings comfort.
“I encourage recipients of donated organs to reach out to families who request contact. I haven’t yet heard anything, and it would mean the world to know my daughter’s ultimate sacrifice made a difference.”
To learn more, get involved and register as an organ donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
