Organ Donation Turning Parsippany Green

Parsippany "goes green" each April to promote organ donation awareness.

April is National Donate Life Month, and its goal is to make people everywhere more aware of the need for organ and soft tissue donation.

Par-Troy Boy Scout Troop 177, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, marked the occasion Monday evening by tying green ribbons along North Beverwyck Road in Lake Hiawatha. But more than Scouts are getting involved with the effort: Kiwanis-sponsored youth clubs also tie green ribbons at their individual schools and town residents do so at their homes. And a huge display on organ donation, which includes informational handouts, is visible on the lower level of the main branch Parsippany Free Public Library.

The overall project is coordinated by the Morris County Multi-Organ Transplant Group with the help of the NJ Sharing Network.

Organizers say spreading awareness is vital because more than 115,000 people are on lists and waiting to receive potentially lifesaving transplants. Every day, 18 people die while they wait. According to experts, one person's donations can save up to eight lives and restore health to as many as 50 people.

Morris County group members, including Parsippany's Nick Cerbo, have had heart, lung, liver and kidney transplants. Now, they lead normal lives and are active members of the community.  

Cerbo, 81, who with his family owns 65-year-old Cerbo Lumber and Hardware, underwent a heart transplant 17 years ago. And by all appearances, the long-respected township figure has not lost a step.

(Cerbo's Parsippany Greenhouses and Garden Center, owned by cousins, is a separate enterprise celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, said Nick Cerbo's daughter Cathy Cerbo of the Woman's Club of Parsippany.)

The Multi-Organ Transplant Group meets monthly and is open to anyone with a transplant, people on wait lists and family members.  For more info on the group contact Nick at MCOrganGroup@gmail.com.  For more info on the NJ Sharing Network call 908-516-5400.