Crisis Relief Fund
Riley’s Dance has established a crisis fund to improve the quality of life for transplant recipients and those in need of organ transplants.
By working with all of the transplant centers in New Jersey, Riley’s Dance is able to provide assistance with the costs of transportation, medication, housing and many of the other expenses incurred by the difficulties the transplant process can pose to a patient.
The transplant centers that work closely with Riley’s Dance are:
Hacksensack University Medical Center – Hackensack, NJ
- Kidney/Pancreas Program
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center – Newark, NJ
- Heart Program
- Lung Program
Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center – Camden, NJ
- Liver Program
- Kidney/Pancreas Program
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital – New Brunswick, NJ
- Kidney/Pancreas Programs
- Heart Program
Saint Barnabas Medical Center – Livingston, NJ
- Kidney/Pancreas Programs
University Hospital – Newark, NJ
- Liver Program
Supporting Families
Sending Kids to Camp
In addition to providing the necessary financial assistance that transplant patients sometimes require, Riley’s Dance also aims to improve the lives of those awaiting life-saving transplants.
One such example of this is sponsoring children with kidney disease to attend a camp to help them forget about their illnesses for a while.
Baskets for Patients
Riley’s Dance presented Easter Baskets to the social workers at Saint Barnabas Medical Center to be given to patients waiting for life-saving transplants in the Pediatric Nephrology Unit.
Holiday Toy Drive
During the holiday season, Riley’s Dance held a toy drive for patients at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ.
We hope that this was able to bring some joy to these families.
Public Education and Outreach
Running for Riley
Education and outreach on the importance of organ and tissue donation is another priority of Riley’s Dance. We are proud to have recently funded a children’s book, “Running for Riley” that educates younger generations on the topic of organ and tissue donation through sharing Riley’s story. “Running for Riley” is available for sale at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.
This book is a special edition of the Lily’s Little Life Lessons series. Lily is growing up, and she feels ready to tackle the challenge of running in NJ Sharing Network’s Annual 5K Celebration of Life. She learns about the story of young Riley and her parents tender decision to donate her organs, allowing others to dance again. Lily is inspired to train hard and run the race to honor Riley.
About the Author: Rebecca Perlman Coniglio received her Master’s in Social Work from the Columbia University School of Social Work. She is a certified school social worker and has served on several child study teams. Rebecca has also worked as an elementary guidance counselor. Currently, she is in private practice specializing in children and adolescents. Rebecca lives in New Jersey with her husband and her very lucky daughter, Lily.
Motor Vehicle Pamphlet
In partnership with NJ Sharing Network and the State of New Jersey, Riley’s Dance was included in this educational pamphlet sent to New Jersey residents.
