BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Almost 20 years ago, 12-year-old Bridgewater resident Tim Flavin walked to a friend’s house to borrow hockey equipment – but he never returned home.
From one family’s incredible loss came a gift when they donated his corneas and heart valves to give others a better life.
And now, Flavin’s mother, Patricia, and the rest of the family participate in the annual 5K Celebration of Life, sponsored by the New Jersey Sharing Network, in New Providence, to advocate for the importance of organ donation.
Patricia Flavin, who said she has always listed herself as an organ donor, said donating her son’s organs wasn’t at the forefront of her mind on that day in 1999.
“But my husband brought it up to the doctors and nurses, we weren’t approached,” she said. “I was on board immediately, I thought it was a great idea.”
“Considering the situation we were in because it was a sudden tragic accident, it was one good thing that came out of a really bad situation,” she added.
In 2013, Flavin said, her friend invited her to run a 5K, which she did, and then she heard about the NJ Sharing Network and the 5K they hold every year.
“We had friends and co-workers run, and the team has grown every year,” she said. “It is so heartwarming to have the love and support from family, friends and coworkers. Even one of Tim’s friends from middle school joins the team every year.”
The NJ Sharing Network, Flavin said, holds two events every year, one in Long Branch and one in New Providence. This year they were held May 20 and June 3.
In addition to the walk and USATF certified race, participants take part in a day of music, dancing, food trucks, kids’ activities, sponsor giveaways and stories attesting to the power of donation.
The foundation through the NJ Sharing Network hopes to raise $1.25 million to increase the number of lives saved through research, family support, public awareness and education about organ and tissue donations and transplantation.
The event, Flavin said, is a celebration of those who have passed, as well as of the lives of those who received transplants.
“And it is about hoping and praying that those who need a transplant can get what they need,” she said. “It’s not a sad event, it’s celebrating life.”
Flavin said she gets to meet other donor families, recipient families, living donors, altruistic donors and others.
“The ultimate goal is to have people be aware that organ donation is possible, and to have them register at the national registry to save other people’s lives or to enhance lives,” she said.
Flavin said they donated her son’s corneas, which allowed two people to see, plus a heart valve to someone else to help them live.
Other kinds of donations, Flavin said, include tissue donations for burn victims, bone transplants and more.
Although she had always been listed as an organ donor, Flavin said she did not know about the Sharing Network before she got involved in the 5K.
“I probably wouldn’t have thought you could volunteer for such an organization,” she said. “We don’t need our organs once we’re gone, so if someone else can benefit, why not? What better gift is there?”
Flavin said her family looks forward to the event every year, and they make a party of it, under a big tent. This year, she said, a young man approached them and introduced himself as a classmate of Tim’s from 1999, and said he still remembers her son.
“His death wasn’t in vain, and some good has come out of it, regardless of the outcome for us,” she said. “He is remembered.”
Those looking to volunteer or participate in future 5K races can contact the NJ Sharing Network through the website at www.NJSharingNetwork.org/5K. People can also sign up on the national registry as a donor.
This programme equips students with essential knowledge and skills in Quantity Surveying practices such as preparing feasibility study of the project; handling financial issues of the project; preparing tender and contract documents including measurement of construction works and pricing; evaluation and selection of appropriate procurement system, contractual arrangement and tendering method which satisfies the client’s needs in term of time, cost, quality and legal aspects; and advising the contractual issues based on general contract principles of Building Contract as well as general legal principles of Contract Law, Sale of Goods Act and Law of Tort.
The Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours) (started in 2013) and Diploma in Quantity Surveying [formerly known as Diploma in Technology (Quantity Surveying)] (started in 2000) have received accreditation from the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM).
With the accreditation, TAR University College students who have graduated with the Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours) are eligible to apply to BQSM as Provisional Quantity Surveyor and subsequently register for the Assessment of Professional Competence (Tier 1) for Quantity Surveyors conducted by BQSM. Upon passing the Assessment of Professional Competence, they are eligible to register with BQSM as a Professional Quantity Surveyor and use the postfix PQS after their name. Candidates are also eligible to register with the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) as Graduate Members at the time of application as Provisional Quantity Surveyor with BQSM. Professional Quantity Surveyor will also be eligible to be admitted as a Member of RISM and use the prefix Sr before his name and postfix MRISM provided he is a Graduate Member of RISM at the time of application as Provisional Quantity Surveyor with BQSM.
Students who have graduated with the Diploma in Quantity Surveying with CGPA 2.7500 or above will be given advanced entry to pursue the Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours) in Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.
The Diploma in Quantity Surveying is recognised as an approved sub-professional qualification by BQSM/RISM. Graduates with Diploma in Quantity Surveying may be given exemption for the Foundation and First Examinations of RISM’s Professional Examinations for Quantity Surveying. They can then proceed to sit for the Intermediate and Final Examinations to be eligible for professional membership with RISM as Graduate Member.
Clumsy has a present for his friend, Smurfette - a cup of Smurfberry juice. But Clumsy being clumsy, he accidentally spills the drink right on Smurfette's new shoes! What will Clumsy do to make it up to her? Use the plush arms to help Clumsy and interact with the pages of this huggable book!