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NJSharing.org

Over 10,000 walkers and runners were welcomed to the sound of bagpipes and drums, by the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band USA, at the annual New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network 5K Celebration of Life. The NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit organization committed to saving and enhancing lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

For over ten years, Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan has been devoted to spreading the importance of organ and tissue donation, as many of our disciples have needed and received transplants, as well as donated. Our international temples have held numerous organ donor registration camps, as well as information sessions. Members of the Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Temple in Secaucus also participated in the walk.

Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band USA was invited to start the annual 5K walk and race in New Providence, NJ. The band started the beginning of race with an honorable tribute to all donors and their families with Amazing Grace. As all the walkers passed through the starting line, the band welcomed them with playing American patriotic tunes such as God Bless America and America the Beautiful, in addition, to popular tunes such as Yankee Doodle and We Will Rock You. In addition, the band played traditional religious kirtans to spread the glory of Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa.

Despite the rain, thousands of walkers, ranging from donor families, recipients, transplant professionals, and local community leaders, danced and cheered to bagpipe music, as they commenced their walk.

Jami Abes, RN and Transplant Coordinator for RWJBarnabas Health, shared “What an amazing performance! The bagpipes are so very rare to hear – all the walkers were stopping in their tracks to take a listen. The players were all extremely talented! The music was beautiful and went along perfectly with such a moving event.”

Members of the band were extremely pleased that they were able to perform for so many community members and spread the importance of organ and tissue donation. The band looks forward to partnering with the NJ Sharing Network and continuing to perform at many community events.