Charity Seeks Organ Donors in Wyckoff

When 13-year-old Taylor Storch died as the result of a skiing accident last year, her parents could have just given their daughter a traditional funeral and tried to move on with their lives. Instead, Todd and Tara Storch decided to keep their daughter's memory alive by donating her organs and starting an organization, Taylor's Gift, dedicated to promoting organ donation in order to save more lives.

On September 23, will be hosting A Night For Taylor's Gift, a gala to benefit the organization. The Storches were able to organize the event with the help of their friends, Wyckoff residents Brian and Kelli Benedik. According to Brian, tickets will only be available for another week or two at most. They cost $125 each and are available from the Taylor's Gift website.

"We are thrilled to have the support of the Wyckoff community and the New Jersey/New York area," Todd said.

After the gala, the Storches will be spending the weekend speaking at local churches and then attending the News and Documentary Emmy Awards in New York the following Monday because a story about them meeting the woman who received Taylor's heart was nominated.

Taylor's organs were used to save five people.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there were more than 105,000 people on waiting lists for organs in 2009, but only 14,630 donors. An average of 20 people die each day because they cannot get a needed transplant.

For more information about becoming an organ donor, visit the state Motor Vehicle Commission website.