Bottino Family

In January 2007, New Jersey resident, Joe Bottino, Jr. was hospitalized due to acute liver failure caused by Hepatitis C and was waiting for a liver transplant. However due to the shortage of registered organ donors, a liver never became available. Sadly, Joe passed away at the age of 42 on February 11, 2007.

Joe was a husband and father of two young children. Following his death, Joe's family has worked in the state of New Jersey to promote the importance of organ and tissue donation as well as raise awareness and funding for the Gift of Life Family House. They were key proponents of what would become the New Jersey Hero Act, a piece of legislation signed into law in July 2008 by Senate President Richard Codey, setting into place several initiatives meant to increase awareness of organ and tissue donation, and give residents an easier method to add the designation.

Dianne was his wife, has herself been a vocal supporter, speaking on behalf of her employer AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City in their efforts to raise awareness, as well as working with Gift of Life and the Family House for events in her community. Their family's tireless efforts all stem from the promise Dianne made to Joe just before he passed - that no family should have to go through what they did, when there is a cure out there.

More than 101,000 people in the United States are currently on a waiting list to receive a life-saving transplant. And like Joe Bottino, unfortunately, 18 people every day will die while waiting for that transplant. We have the cure for this crisis. Say 'yes' to organ donation and enlist your family and friends to do the same. With your help, we can ensure no other families will have to experience this same suffering.