William J. Giannone III, affectionately called "BJ" by family and friends, died suddenly at Saint Peter's College on Jan. 31, 2011, following his participation in a swim meet, where he was representing Saint Peter's Preparatory High School. As he grew up in Mountainside, BJ was part of many groups, involved in sports and community service activities. At Saint Peter's Prep, BJ embraced a rigorous pursuit of education and sports. He was a member of the baseball team all four years; 2011 was his first year swimming. BJ dreamed of becoming a sports broadcaster and was a color commentator for the school's football games. For exactly the last 365 days of his life, BJ was cherished and adored by his high-school-sweet-heart, Cait English. In light of BJ’s tragic passing, Cait and Connor English organized and fundraised a 5K team nearly every year since 2011. A dear friend of both families, Diane McGee, supported the English and Giannone families on this mission.

As a resident of Mountainside and a St. Peter’s Prep mother, Diane McGee dedicated to her life to the service of others within her communities. Diane was the Director of Religious Education at St. James the Apostle Church in Springfield for 10 years. For the last six years of her life, Diane was a Pastoral Associate for Religious Education and Formation at St Bartholomew the Apostle Church, which she considered her ministry home. She valued faith: faith in people, in her family, and in the church. Her passion and her job were one in the same, teaching God’s love. She shared this with everyone she encountered. She worked to aid in their journey, rejoiced in their happiness, and guided them in faith. Diane participated in an unmeasurable number of service activities throughout her life and annually participated in the NJ Sharing Network 5K as a member of the Live Like BJ team. Unfortunately, Diane’s well lived life was cut short at the age of 53 on June 9, 2016.

BJ and Diane were both donors through the NJ Sharing Network. Today, friends and family of both BJ and Diane continue to honor their zeal for life and dedication to the service of others through the annual fundraising efforts for Team Live Like BJ & Diane’s Doers. Please join us in our mission in New Providence, NJ on June 9th (the 8th anniversary of Diane’s passing) to run, walk, laugh and cry in remembrance of those we have lost and the gifts they shared with us and the NJ Sharing Network.

Over 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving transplant and nearly 4,000 live right here in New Jersey. Tens of thousands more need life-enhancing tissue or cornea transplants each year. One organ and tissue donor can save 8 lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others. But the waiting list is long and for many, organ and tissue donation can mean the difference between life and death. Your support brings us one step closer to providing the greatest gift of all… the gift of life.

Thank you for joining us to honor those who gave, pay tribute to those who received, offer hope to those who continue to wait, and remember the lives lost while waiting for the gift of life.