Staten Islander raises awareness about organ donation

Staten Island Live | Carol Ann


STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Last year we asked Staten Island locals to cast their votes on the Gerber website for then 4-month-old Giuliana Columbia, who was competing in the Gerber Baby Contest — but at this writing, we have a request quite different in nature.

You see, Giuliana’s dad, Robert Columbia, is in kidney failure, on dialysis and in dire need of a kidney transplant — and knows of two others who are in need of a bone marrow transplant. Note that because Robert wants to make a difference, he’s in the process of kicking off a not-for-profit program he calls RJ Donatelife and has asked that locals help him raise awareness about organ donation — his number-one goal.

Robert is in the process of creating information packets in order to distribute the information at local fundraisers in hopes of piquing the interest of individuals who may be able to offer their assistance as a means to save lives. Several fundraisers are already in the works, because, as Robert advises, many aren’t aware of how simple the donation process can be.
Read more: http://blog.silive.com/inside_out_column/2012/04/staten_islander_raises_awareness_about_organ_donation.html

{Register to be an organ,eye and tissue donor. To learn how, www.donatelife.net or www.organdonor.gov}