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2015 FLORAGRAPH

 RILEY KOGEN

Organ and Tissue Donor
Age 5 ~ Livingston, NJ
Donated on 12/19/2013
at Barnabas Healthcare

Sponsored by Dignity Memorial/Bernhiem-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel


Riley Kogen was the most gentle and kind-hearted little girl with an infectious laugh and bright blue eyes. When Riley passed suddenly during the night from a virus that ultimately lead to a brain seizure, her parents, Mitch & Ali, decided that this life saving gift was something which would ensure that her memory would live on. Riley's kidneys were ultimately donated to two individuals suffering from kidney disease. Since Riley's passing, the Kogens have taken an active role in raising awareness about organ donation and created Riley's Dance, a crisis fund which offers assistance to families who have pressing expenses related to organ transplantation.


Riley's Story

Riley was the most gentle and kind hearted little girl that ever walked this earth. Her smile could light up a room. She had the most infectious laugh and the brightest blue eyes you have ever seen. She lived for her friends, her family and most of all, her little brother Connor. She loved to spend the afternoons playing dress up, hula hooping and dancing.

Riley passed suddenly during the night from a virus that ultimately lead to a brain seizure. At the hospital, a member of the NJ Sharing Network approached Mitch and Ali about donating Riley's organs. The Kogens agreed that the gift of life was something special which they could do to ensure that Riley's memory would live on. As it turns out, both of Riley's kidneys were able to save the lives of individuals suffering from kidney disease.

Since her death, Riley's parents have been contacted by both of Riley's kidney recipients and are very active in the NJ Sharing Network Foundation. They created Riley's Dance, crisis fund which offers assistance to families who have pressing expenses related to organ transplantation. For Mitch and Ali, it is not only about making sure that Riley's memory lives on. Their hope is to be able to offer some measure of stability to families at a very stressful time, because they believe - "Every individual deserves the opportunity to dance again just as our beautiful daughter used to."