Family Death Inspired Chatham Resident To Work In Organ Donation

CHATHAM, NJ — Veronica Horvath was only 8 years old when her father died in an accident while working at a construction site. Her family's grief was beyond measure, but they found comfort knowing they honored Richard's wishes in becoming an organ donor.

“Although it was more than 20 years ago, I still remember that moment like it was yesterday,” Horvath said. “I was sitting next to my mom and she never hesitated when asked about donation. My father’s gifts of his kidneys and liver saved the lives of three people. He became a true hero that day and he will always be a hero in my heart.”

Horvath felt inspired to enter the organ donation field. She began her career with the NJ Sharing Network in 2013, after graduating from Susquehanna University. She's worked in a variety of roles, including community outreach, marketing communications and resource development.

The experience helped Horvath for her new role as a hospital services manager, interacting daily with hospital partners and donor families in a clinical setting to support the donation process.

“In many ways, it feels like my professional and personal experiences have come full-circle,” she said. “I now have the honor of speaking with families, and I understand the many emotions that they are feeling while at the bedside of a loved one. It makes me take a pause because I always want to do what is right to support them.”

Horvath's first experience approaching a family to discuss organ and tissue donation proved to be extraordinary. She met with the mother, father, sister and sister-in-law of a man in critical condition at a local hospital.

The family gasped in disbelief when Horvath introduced herself by her first name. At the time, she was unaware that the sister and her wife had discussed naming their first child "Veronica."

“I guess we all felt a sense of divine intervention,” Horvath said. “We had an immediate connection, and they took it as a sign of a light in the darkness during a difficult time. I felt inspired by their decision to give the gift of life to others.”

To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit njsharingnetwork.org.

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