Heart Transplant Foursome Wins NJ Sharing Network Foundation Golf Event

Inspired by NJ Sharing Network, more than one hundred participants gathered on Sept. 26 for the 13th Annual Golf and Tennis Classic to further advance its life-saving mission – and it was a foursome of heart transplant recipients who posted this year’s best score.

One of the event highlights was the presence of 17-year old Joe DiSanto, a heart recipient, who golfed during the day and addressed the attendees during the evening program’s reception and awards ceremony.

“Joe DiSanto represents why we are here as an organization and why this event is so important,” says Joe Roth, President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network. "It happens hundreds of times a year, and every time is equally important and poignant, not just for the recipient, but for the donor’s family, which celebrates the chance for their loved one to live on.”

The Annual Golf and Tennis Classic, which raised more than $135,000, attracted participants from throughout New Jersey. Held at Plainfield Country Club in Edison, New Jersey, this year’s event featured a tennis tournament, demonstration and clinic. Home of 2011 Barclay’s and top-ranked in the US for nearly 100 years, Plainfield County Club welcomed guests for a day of golf and tennis followed by a reception and awards ceremony where the winners of the day’s activities would be honored.

With 95 golfers and 25 tennis players participating, excitement was in the air as the community came together in celebration of the gift of life alongside good friends – all to promote a great mission.

The golf tournament awarded four winners including, Gerald Reddington, Dennis Perkens, Richard Weiss and Clement Dunnigan, all heart recipients, who received $125 gift cards for their wins. The tennis tournament presented awards to winners in three categories including Beat the Pro, Fastest Serve, and Consistency. Beat the Pro winning titles were presented to Steve Meyers, Ted Decagna, Bob Simek, and Gerry Vadas; Fastest Serve titles were presented to Gerry Vadas and Donna Albanese; and Consistency titles were presented to both Perry Sann and Bob Simek. All of the contestants received gift certificates to the club’s pro shop.

In addition, tricky tray and raffle tickets were available throughout the day with an evening drawing.  NJ Sharing Network Foundation is grateful to everyone who participated in the 50/50 raffle – a total of 750 tickets were sold for a total pot of $15,000. The winners announced at the awards reception were as follows: Lucille Finlay of Staten Island, New York, was awarded first place, at 25% of the total proceeds; Chris Tai took home second place at 15% of the total proceeds; Marissa Moore won third place at 10% of the total proceeds. This year’s winning ticket was sold by Alli Keleman.  

“NJ Sharing Network Foundation is driven by the passion and dedication of our Board, as we continue to work together to educate the public about the benefits of donation and transplantation and support both donor families and transplant recipients,” stated Executive Director Elisse Glennon. “This year we had a most generous outpouring of support from our sponsors and contributors of tricky tray and auction items – it is inspiring to us and we are grateful for their contributions and involvement in our community.”

To become involved with our 14th Annual Golf and Tennis Classic or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Alli Keleman at akeleman@sharenj.org. 

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.  For information, call 1-800-SHARE-NJ (1-800-742-7365) or visit www.sharenj.org to register as an organ and tissue donor.  The NJ Sharing Network Foundation supports the work of NJ Sharing Network to increase the number of lives saved through education, research and public awareness about the life-saving benefits of transplantation.