South Philly Event Raising Funds For College-Minded Organ Transplant Recipients
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - An event Sunday at the Independence Seaport Museum will help raise money for young organ transplant recipients.
When Laura Schwartz lost her sister, Jessica, she was a few credits short of graduating from college. Soon after her death, Laura co-founded "Jessie's Day."
"'Jessie's Day' is an event where we raise funds for a scholarship that sends young transplant recipients in the tri-state area to college," she tells KYW Newsradio.
This year, the family-friendly event is being held at the Independence Seaport Museum. Laura says it helps her to remember her sister:
"Jessica has a heart transplant back in 1994. She was 14 years old and we were lucky to have her for 8 and a half extra years and in 2002 she got sick and she passed away in 2003."
This year, they hope to raise $50,000, but Laura says any amount they can raise for scholarships is greatly appreciated:
"To date, we have helped over 44 students and we have given out over $100,000."
Jessie's Day takes place from 1-4 p.m.