Beloved son Roberto DeJesus Perez graduated from North Bergen High School in 1997. His goal was to graduate from college and work for the United Nations. At the age of 18, Roberto lost his life to a brain aneurysm; in the aftermath he became an organ donor, saving the lives of five people. The decision to donate Roberto's organs was made by his father, Carlos. "He helped me understand that this was the right thing to do," said Roberto's mother Maria. "Today I find great comfort in knowing that Robert's spirit lives on through the numerous lives he saved."

Roberto's Story

Roberto DeJesus Perez was a beloved son, the youngest of three, with two older sisters who loved him dearly. The captain of his high school soccer team, he graduated from North Bergen High School with the Class of 1997. After graduation, Robert attended William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J. His goal was to graduate from college and work for the United Nations so he could help people from Latin countries.

On November 25, 1997, at the age of 18, Roberto lost his life to a brain aneurysm. Immediately following his death he became an organ donor. In doing so, he saved the lives of five people.

The decision to donate his organs was made at the hospital by his father, Carlos. "He helped me understand that this was the right thing to do," said Roberto's mother Maria. "Today I find great comfort in knowing that Robert's spirit lives on through the numerous lives he saved."

Since that time, Maria has been helping Latino families do the same by informing the community and helping them realize the lives that can be saved through organ donation.

Maria has been a volunteer for NJ Sharing Network for the past 14 years. In Robert's memory, The Perez family has given a scholarship to a soccer player from North Bergen High School for the past 13 years and they participate in walk-a-thons every year with "ROB'S TEAM," collecting funds to support organ and tissue donation awareness. "Knowing that my son's spirit is still helping others gives me great joy," said Maria of her volunteer activities.

"I tell my story often in hopes of saving lives through organ and tissue donations and to let other families know they are not alone in their time of tragedy," said Maria. "Roberto was an angel put on this earth for a short period of time, but the impact he created on people who knew him and the lives he saved is eternal. The bonds I have created with the people from NJ Sharing Network, the recipients of Robert's organs, family members who have lost someone dear to them, and people in need of organs give me back a piece of my heart that I lost when I lost my son, Roberto.".