Point Pleasant Woman Honors Late Son Who Helped Save Many Others

POINT PLEASANT – Jane Buckiewicz lost her son, Dan, in 2009, but she's always making sure that his life still provides a gift to others.

The Point Pleasant woman serves as chair of NJ Sharing Network Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic & Tennis Tournament, which honors the memory of her son Dan, who passed away in 2009.

Dan saved the lives of three people through organ donation and enhanced the lives of 70 more through tissue donation, according to a press release from the NJ Sharing Network.

This year’s event, which was held on Oct. 26 at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, raised more than $150,000 to benefit innovative research, family support, public awareness and education about the benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Buckiewicz spoke about her continued commitment to NJ Sharing Network’s mission when she addressed event attendees before the golfers hit the links.

“Dan gave the gift of life to others, and it really did change something that was so tragic into something very precious,” said Buckiewicz. “I still get to feel proud of my son each day. He was an incredible son, brother, friend and overall human being. His unique presence was able to light up a room – where his positive energy was both natural and contagious. With his donation, Dan became a hero.”

Buckiewicz has been a member of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board since 2018. Jane and her family also honor Dan with a team at NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life.

Team Buck has participated in every 5K since the inception of the event in 2011, and they have raised more than $87,000, according to the release.

“We are extremely grateful to Jane and all of the individuals and organizations that helped make our Golf Classic & Tennis Tournament a success,” said Elisse Glennon, executive director of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation. “Their generous philanthropic support will help power our mission to save and enhance more lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation.”

NJ Sharing Network Foundation’s 22nd Annual Golf Classic & Tennis Tournament was presented by RWJBarnabas Health. The Tennis Tournament was presented by Eastwick College.

Next year, the Golf Classic & Tennis Tournament will be returning to Ridgewood Country Club on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021.