Ray’s Hero of the Day – Mom of dead Hillsborough teen donated organs to save others

No one will ever know the pain Beth Colon has to live through every day.

Especially after losing her 17-year -old son, Jared, a senior at Hillsborough High School, was punched in the head during a verbal argument with another Hillsborough teen.

Upon learning that there was nothing doctors could do to save the boy’s life, she made the painful decision to donate his organs to the New Jersey Sharing Network and has since been told that Jared’s organs have save 6 lives – all residents of New Jersey.

But it was one particular recipient’s gratitude that makes her well up in tears. He’s 37, has 6 kids and wasn’t even able to do the simplest things with them.

The recipient’s letter reads as follows:

"I am the 37-year-old male kidney recipient of the precious gift from your loved one. You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one and greatest thanks for a second chance at life.
"It takes a remarkable group of individuals that can make an unselfish decision during their grief and think of restoring life into someone else. I will never be able to thank you enough for giving me a second chance at life but I vow that I will cherish every moment and carpe diem (seize the day).
"With all my heart, I wish you peace, love and faith knowing that this young man has restored life in me," he wrote. "I will not take that for granted."
"A grateful recipient."

Jared’s other kidney went to yet another man in his 30s, and his heart valves went to pediatric patients.

And while Beth says she hasn’t heard from any of the others, she’s still gets very emotional having heard from this one gentleman who will now enjoy all that life has to offer because of her sacrifice.

She truly deserves the honor of being Ray's Hero of the Day!