Rahway resident Jacqueline Salvatore is a Family Services Coordinator (FSC) at NJ Sharing Network. Jacqueline has developed a passion for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Joining the NJ Sharing Network team in September 2016, her role as FSC focuses on providing care, support, information and education to organ and tissue donor families during and after the discussion of the donation process. Jacqueline works hand in hand with the onsite medical team and other NJ Sharing Network staff to ensure that potential donor families are supported throughout the entire process while addressing any emotional needs, including grief support. She helps families honor the gift their loved ones gave through a flag raising and other tributes to their memory. She can also connect donor families with their loved ones’ transplant recipients.
“After donation, I sincerely express the fact that donor families are now a part of our NJ Sharing Network family and it’s our job and lifelong mission to honor the incredible gift given,” said Jacqueline. “Whether it is calling the family after three weeks, four months, five years, we are with them for the long haul and will continue to be their support system.”
Jacqueline is on-call from 7am-10pm and can be called to any of NJ Sharing Network’s hospital partners throughout the state. The donation process can be time consuming and FSCs could work for more than 12 hours supporting a family through this difficult time. Jacqueline has always been dedicated to providing care for others. After working in hospice for almost ten years, she took a unique turn with her social work degree and is now able to share in a small, yet positive, moment with families.
“Our Family Services team is an amazing group of people that truly live the mission of NJ Sharing Network and touch the lives of countless families,” said Carolyn Welsh, Director of Organ Donation Services, NJ Sharing Network. “Gentle, kind, knowledgeable, and passionate, Jacqueline is an exceptional asset to the team and goes above and beyond in her role.”
In addition, Jacqueline is involved in supporting families outside of her regular responsibilities at NJ Sharing Network. She participates in the organization’s 5K Celebration of Life, which brings together thousands of walkers, runners and volunteers to honor those who gave the gift of organs or tissue, pay tribute to those who have received a transplant, offer hope to those currently waiting for a transplant and remember those who have died while waiting for the gift of life. This year’s events will be held April 2 in Paramus, May 7 in Long Branch and June 4 in New Providence.
Jacqueline Salvatore earned her Bachelor of Arts from Smith College and her Master of Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work.
To date, there are over 120,000 people waiting for a transplant and 22 die each day while waiting, but one organ donor can save eight lives and one tissue donor can restore health to over 75 people. In New Jersey, there are over 4,000 people on the waiting list and one person dies every three days waiting.
New Jersey residents can help save lives by registering as organ and tissue donors at www.NJSharingNetwork.org, having a conversation with family and friends and joining NJ Sharing Network at its upcoming events.
About NJ Sharing Network
NJ Sharing Network saves lives through organ and tissue donation. Located in New Providence, the organization recovers organs and tissue and belongs to a national network that helps the 120,000 people waiting for a transplant. In 2016, more lives were saved than ever before. Thanks to the selflessness of New Jersey organ donors and their families who said yes to donation, 613 people are alive today. This year, the organization is celebrating 30 years of saving lives.
(pictured) Rahway resident Jacqueline Salvatore’s unique social work role at NJ Sharing Network provides around the clock support for organ and tissue donor families.
