A recent graduate of New Providence High School, who received a cornea transplant and then became a certified volunteer ambassador for NJ Sharing Network, has won the prestigious Benjamin R. Chirls Scholarship, provided by NJ Sharing Network, the non-profit organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for nearly 5,000 New Jerseyans awaiting life-saving transplants.
In a ceremony at NJ Sharing Network in front of the full staff, the $4,000 scholarship was presented to Brian Mansfield, 18, who will be heading off next month for his freshman year at the University of Richmond to study business administration.
Presented annually to an organ, tissue or eye donor, transplant recipient, donor family member or awareness advocate, the Benjamin R. Chirls Scholarship is named in memory of Benjamin Chirls, a kidney recipient and strong advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation. Chirls worked tirelessly for many years, ignoring physical limitations and disabilities to bring the message of donation to individuals throughout New Jersey as a volunteer for NJ Sharing Network.
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Mansfield’s scholarship essay focused on a rare eye disease he was stricken with in May 2012, with light sensitivity so strong that he couldn’t even look at his cell phone. Mansfield spent most of his time in a darkened basement. He could not attend school or play sports; his condition required an emergency corneal transplant to save vision in his left eye.
“Through it all, school was always a top priority for me,” he said. “And despite all these challenges, I finished my junior year on time while receiving straight A’s.”
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Mansfield became involved with NJ Sharing Network six months after his transplant, participating in the annual 5K Walk and USATF Certified Race. “I met families that donated the organs and tissue of their loved ones and was inspired by their stories and how much joy it brought them to know that they were helping others and honoring the memories of their loved ones.”
“When I walked with transplant recipients like myself, I also realized that I wasn’t alone and was now bonded with so many people who shared my experience,” Mansfield said.
Charles Kistinger, a kidney recipient, long-time volunteer advocating for organ and tissue donation, and representative of NJ Sharing Network Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, said Mansfield’s ongoing efforts to raise organ, eye and tissue donation awareness, academic success and career focus made him the ideal candidate for the scholarship.
“We were all so impressed with Brian’s advocacy work as well as his grades and commitment,” Kistinger said, noting his strong advocacy mirrors the spirit of Benjamin R. Chirls.
“Benjamin would light up the room,” said Joe Roth, president & CEO of NJ Sharing Network. “He was a wonderful person with a big personality. Brian had that same affect when he stood in front of our staff and graciously accepted his scholarship. He is truly an advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation.”
To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org or call NJ Sharing Network at 1-800-742-7365.
About NJ Sharing Network
NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally designated organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for New Jersey residents in need of life-saving transplants. NJ Sharing Network partners with Donate Life America, a not-for-profit national alliance that drives communities to increase their numbers of registered donors. NJ Sharing Network honors those who gave, pays tribute to those who received, offers hope to those who continue to wait, and remembers the lives lost while waiting...for the gift of life.
