Meet Your Neighbor: Carolyn Welsh

FEATURED PHOTO: Carolyn Welsh

Nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents are on a waiting list for organ or tissue transplantation and Carolyn plays a vital role in ensuring the process runs smoothly and swiftly. She is Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer at NJ Sharing Network, the nonprofit, federally-designated organ procurement organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue in the state. Carolyn’s integral role includes coordinating a team effort, bringing many different professionals together to evaluate priorities, to understand the urgencies, and to ensure successful transplants. Carolyn also finds it important to educate those in the organization and has been recognized for her development of a positive learning environment. Meet Carolyn Welsh and learn more about a very worthy organization, impacting lives and families in a most profound way.

CM: Where do you live?

Carolyn Welsh (CW): I grew up in Colts Neck with my parents and four siblings. I live in Colts Neck with my husband, Tom and sons, Scott and Kyle, and with the family’s green-eyed chocolate lab, Riley.

CM: What led to your involvement in NJ Sharing Network?

CW: I started there 21 years ago, with no connection to donation. I just wanted to find a job where I could make a difference in the world and help people – fortunately I found it!

CM: Do you have a personal connection with an organ donation, given or received?

CW: I have a connection to Denise Ely, liver transplant recipient (who you recently interviewed). We both lived in Colts Neck and I babysat her boys when they were younger. We lost touch and I ran into her after her transplant. She didn’t know I worked at NJ Sharing Network and I didn’t know she received a liver… so needless to say we had a lot to catch up on. Life is amazing, sometimes connections aren’t just coincidence. Overall, it may sound strange — I feel connected to all the donors, their families, and the people that receive the gift of life. I fully believe that I was meant to do this work.

CM: Is there a particular donation story that stays with you?

CW: Oh, there are so many. Each hits you differently at different times in your life and how it relates to your current state. The strength to stay focused on the importance of donation is so real. I can remember the first hospital I drove to, the first family I met that said YES to give life, the medical teams that I built relationships with 20 years ago and now. They taught me so much. I grew up in this industry and it shaped who I am and my life.

CM: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

CW: Mostly anything to do with sports, watching my kids and coaching. To see a kid progress and be better on the last day from the first day is pure joy for me! I expect the kids who should know how to play to perform, but the greatest feeling is to help give confidence to those who have never played to be a part of a team, and most importantly to see the other kids react and cheer them on when they make progress – it’s incredible!

CM: Do you have a favorite quote?

CW: I have many, and one that I haven’t shared with anyone but family. My father used to say it to us all the time. “Tell me who are your friends, and I’ll tell you who you are.” I can actually hear his voice in my head when I say it – powerful, meaningful, and so much truth in it. Another is from Martin Luther King. I just presented this to all of our staff because it represents who we are at NJ Sharing Network. “Life’s most urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” This is how I choose to live my life, dedicating my life’s work to saving lives. And not only the recipients — I also mean what donation does for a donor family. I can’t think of a better way to fulfill my childhood dream of helping others and making the world a better place.

CM: What do you want CM readers to know?

CW: NJ Sharing Network has its annual 5K Celebration of Life coming up at the Great Lawn at the Ocean Promenade in Long Branch on May 17th. It’s the 10th anniversary of the event – so a big year for us. In addition, the 2020 Donate Life Transplant Games will take place this July 17-22 at the Meadowlands, American Dream, Prudential Center, Metlife Stadium, and other New Jersey venues. The Games are being held in the Tri-State area for the first time, which gives the event the biggest stage ever to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation. Some 12,000-15,000 people are expected to attend this biennial multi-sport festival recognizing the success of donation and transplantation and honoring the generosity of donors and their families.