BC Cyclones 12U Red Baseball Team Visits NJ Sharing Network

Youth Baseball Team Learns About Organ Donation in New Providence, NJ

The remembrance wall inside NJ Sharing Network's headquarters in New Providence holds hundreds of photographs and handwritten notes, one for every donor whose gift saved another life. Recently, members of the BC Cyclones 12U Red baseball team stood in front of that wall together, gloves and cleats set aside for an afternoon of listening and learning.

Players toured the Transplant Laboratory, where staff match donors with recipients, and the Donation Resource Center, where the organization coordinates with hospitals and families throughout the donation process.

Head Coach Marvin Cruz described the tour as a chance for his players to see, up close, the work that happens behind the scenes to help save and enhance lives. Assistant Coach Daniel Slinger and Coaches Ron Klein and Alex Manzo joined players Michael Cruz, Luciano DeMayo, RJ Politz, Gino Prestigiacomo, Humza Parvaz, Dean Klein, and Mason Manzo for the visit.

The afternoon carried extra weight for one family. Player Luciano DeMayo is the son of Stefania DeMayo, whose own transplant story began in 2008, when she received a lifesaving heart transplant after being diagnosed with a rare form of cardiomyopathy. Her donor was Sean Clegg, a 14 year old New Jersey teenager who died following an accident. In the middle of their grief, Sean's parents, Andrew and Gail Clegg, chose to donate his organs, giving others what NJ Sharing Network calls a second chance at life.

The numbers behind that choice are significant to neighbors across New Jersey. More than 100,000 Americans, including nearly 4,000 people in New Jersey, are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant. One donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of more than 75 others.

The BC Cyclones are a competitive travel baseball organization based in Little Ferry, with teams ranging from 7U through 15U and older. Coach Ron Klein said baseball teaches players more than fundamentals. It teaches teamwork, perseverance, and what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves. For this team, that lesson extended well past the field, and into a building where remembrance and gratitude share the same walls.

Find more New Providence events, arts coverage, and community news on Union County Life.

FAQ

What is NJ Sharing Network?
It is a nonprofit organization headquartered in New Providence that coordinates organ and tissue donation and transplantation across New Jersey.

Why did the BC Cyclones visit NJ Sharing Network?
The youth baseball team toured the facility to learn about organ and tissue donation, including a personal connection through one player's family.

How many people in New Jersey are waiting for an organ transplant?
Nearly 4,000 people in New Jersey, out of more than 100,000 nationwide, are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

How many lives can one organ donor save?
One donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of more than 75 others.

How can someone register as an organ donor in New Jersey?
Residents can learn more or register as a donor at www.NJSharingNetwork.org.