Barbara Mielnicki lovingly remembers her son Vincent, who passed away at the age of 43 in 2022. Vincent’s family made the difficult decision to donate his organs, which ended up saving the lives of others. Mielnicki carries a bit of his ashes in a locket and received a beautiful handmade blanket from volunteers as a keepsake. The New Jersey Sharing Network provides support and resources to families of organ donors, including emotional support, workshops, keepsakes, and memorial activities to honor donors. The Wrapped in Love program, started in 2010, involves volunteers knitting or crocheting comfort blankets and shawls for families of organ donors. These blankets and shawls are sent to families two years after their loved one’s passing to remind them that they are not forgotten. The volunteers, including transplant recipients, their families, and donor families, create these blankets as a way to give back and offer comfort to those in grief. Overall, the program serves as a way to support families during difficult times and keep their loved ones’ memories alive through acts of kindness and generosity.
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