Fair Lawn Teen Advocate Earns NJ Sharing Network Scholarship

FAIR LAWN, NJ – A Fair Lawn teen who received a heart transplant and now advocates for organ donation earned a scholarship through the NJ Sharing Network.

Christopher Piccininni, 18, was among the six students awarded scholarships for the 2019-20 school year. The Fair Lawn High School graduate just started at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark.

Piccinini was nine years old when he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition which enlarged his heart, making it unable to pump enough blood. After spending four months at Mt. Sinai Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, he received a new heart, giving him a second chance at life.

To show his gratitude, Piccinini and his family fundraise and advocate on the importance of organ and tissue donation. They also throw a “heart party” each year to celebrate his transplant anniversary and guests make donations to the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Association or the American Heart Association

While in middle school, he helped organize “Hoops for Heart,” a charity basketball tournament to raise money for the American Heart Association.

Joe Roth, President and Chief Executive Officer of NJ Sharing Network, said this year’s recipients “are a unique group of young people dedicated to raising awareness of organ donation.”

“We know they will continue to make great strides when they start college this fall,” he added.

The scholarships were provided through the organization’s foundation family and partner funds, the Betsy Niles Scholarship Fund, Missy’s Miracle Scholarship Fund and the Hearts for Emma Partner Fund.