SWEDESBORO, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A family in South Jersey said an organ donation group refused to take no for an answer when a loved one was being pulled off life support.
Moments after family members decided to have Keith Lott of Swedesboro removed from life support, members of NJ Sharing Network came to discuss organ donation.
State Sen. Paul Moriarty said a family member called him frantically after the Sharing Network apparently refused to acknowledge the change on Lott’s driver's license that stated he was no longer a registered organ donor. Moriarty noted organ donation was against Lott’s Muslim faith.
“There were people there saying we’re taking the body and we’re going to harvest the organs whether you like it or not. We’re in charge here. I couldn’t believe it. It was just devastating and outrageous, frankly.”
After Moriarty made some calls, the group backed off. This is apparently part of a pattern with NJ Sharing Network, which is under investigation by the House Ways and Means Committee.
The committee sent a letter to the organization last year. It said multiple whistleblowers have come forward with claims of aggressive tactics, going out of order on the recipient list, and other actions that could jeopardize the organization’s tax-exempt status.
NJ Sharing Network has not responded to KYW Newsradio’s request for comment.
