Paige McBoyle of Short Hills Awarded Scholarship from the Sharing Network Foundation’s Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund
The Sharing Network Foundation’s Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund has awarded a scholarship to Paige McBoyle of Short Hills, NJ, for her passion and dedication to raising awareness of organ and tissue donation. McBoyle was presented with her scholarship award at the NJ Sharing Network’s headquarters in New Providence during a ceremony with her family members in the Landscape of Life Meditation Garden.
McBoyle is a 2022 graduate of Millburn High School. She plans to attend Washington and Lee University in the Fall. Her connection to organ and tissue donation and transplantation began when she was only five years old when she first met Melissa “Missy” Rodriguez, the mother of one of her classmates, and learned that Rodriguez’s life was saved thanks to a liver transplant.
“Realizing that because one person decided to be an organ donor was the reason my friend’s mom was in my life today inspired me to learn more about organ and tissue donation and find out how I could help,” said McBoyle.
Shortly after McBoyle started middle school, she took a tour of NJ Sharing Network’s campus in New Providence. This experience proved to have a powerful impact, and McBoyle immediately began supporting the Sharing Network Foundation by organizing bake sale fundraisers, running in the Sharing Network Foundation’s 5K Celebration of Lifeand getting her friends to join the awareness efforts.
During her freshman year at Millburn High School, McBoyle became president of the Missy’s Miracle Club to educate her fellow classmates about the importance of registering as organ and tissue donors. She continually recruited more club members, brought in guest speakers to the school, and organized events and activities to raise more than $8,000 for the Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund.
“They say that knowledge is power, but I believe that using that knowledge to take action is where the real power lies,” said McBoyle. “One of my proudest moments as president of our Missy’s Miracle Club during the pandemic was delivering baked goods to the Millburn Police Department made by our club members. This allowed us to thank the first responders in our town for their service and share Missy’s story and inform them about the club’s mission to spread awareness about organ and tissue donation.”
The Sharing Network Foundation’s scholarship program provides an opportunity to recognize and award graduating high school senior advocates who advocate for and/or whose lives have been touched by organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund was created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Melissa “Missy” Rodriguez’s life-saving liver transplant. A resident of Short Hills, NJ, Rodriguez was 10 years old when she received a successful liver transplant to save her life. Now more than 30 years later, Missy continues to lead an active, fulfilling life as an accomplished athlete, successful student earning two graduate degrees, and, most importantly, the mother of three healthy boys. Established in 2015, Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund has raised more than $75,000 towards scholarships for high school students and additional programs supporting organ and tissue donation awareness.
“I am proud to join forces with NJ Sharing Network to help educate our local communities about the power of organ and tissue donation,” said Rodriguez. “Paige serves as perfect example of what it means to take an active role in supporting these important outreach efforts.”
Scholarship applicants were measured on academic achievement, community and volunteer efforts, extracurricular activities and advocacy for organ and tissue donation. The application process included a thorough review by a committee of NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board members.
“We are grateful for the generous support of Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund and their ongoing commitment to rewarding students who share a commitment to our life-saving mission,” said Amanda Tibok, Interim Executive Director, Sharing Network Foundation. “We know that Paige and all of our scholarship recipients will continue to be strong leaders in educating others about donation and transplantation throughout their college years and beyond.”
According to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), there are over 100,000 Americans – nearly 4,000 of whom live in New Jersey – waiting for a life-saving transplant. Just one organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 people. To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
About NJ Sharing Network
Currently celebrating its 35th anniversary, NJ Sharing Network is the federally designated non-profit organization responsible for recovering donated organs and tissue in the Garden State. Last year, 233 generous individuals in New Jersey gave the gift of life, an all-time high for a single year. In addition, 42,112 eye and tissue donations healed and enhanced the quality of life for those in need. With headquarters in New Providence, NJ, the organization has been recognized by NJBIZ as one of the state’s “Best Places to Work” for five consecutive years.
About the Sharing Network Foundation
The Sharing Network Foundation is committed to increasing the number of lives saved through clinical advancement, family support, public awareness and education about the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
Photo courtesy of NJ Sharing Network
