Jared Colon

Organ, tissue and cornea donor

Age 17 – Hillsborough, NJ

Donated on 07/28/14

at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center

Honored by NJ Sharing Network

From the time he was born, you could see into Jared’s eyes and know he was an old soul. For a seventeen-year-old he had incredible wisdom beyond his years. He had such great respect for nature and for all living things. He had a kind nature and a caring heart. Jared loved animals and had a passion to ride dirt bikes, quads, and his Jeep Grand Cherokee. He loved any adventure, from hiking in the woods, to snowboarding on a mountain.

Jared was going into his senior year of high school when a tragic incident occurred; Jared always wanted to help others and believed in organ donation. Thanks to his gift of life, Jared saved 6 lives. His parents made the decision to donate and they knew he would have wanted it that way. He would have made that same decision.

Jared’s Story

From the time he was born, you could see into Jared’s eyes and know he was an old soul. For a seventeen-year-old he had incredible wisdom beyond his years. He had such great respect for nature and for all living things. He will be best known for his kind nature and caring heart because he treated everyone with kindness and was rewarded with so many friends. He was just that likable. He was always respectful, had a smile on his face even though deep down he was quite shy. He was the kind of kid who could make you laugh at anything. He had the most wicked sense of humor and was genuinely funny.

Jared’s first love was animals; he raised chickens and goats, and would fish for hours but only catch and release. Jared loved being outside in the fresh air, as it defined him. Jared saw the world with awe, valuing every living, breathing creature. Next to his love for animals was his passion to ride dirt bikes, quads, and his Jeep Grand Cherokee. He loved any adventure from hiking in the woods to snowboarding on a mountain. I imagine him flying like an eagle up in heaven, unencumbered by anything, just him soaring high above everything.

In his high school yearbook memorial page, his friends all mention how genuinely funny he was. He enjoyed making people happy and laugh. He had such a charm about him. Even on bad days, he always could make me laugh and crack a smile. I know I miss his sense of humor the most.

Jared was going into his senior year of high school when a tragic incident occurred; Jared always wanted to help others and believed in organ donation. When they told us it was hopeless, I asked if there was another course of action they could take to preserve his organs for transplant. Jared saved 6 lives the next day. He would have wanted it that way. He would have made that same decision. All that knew him had a connection with Jared’s soul. He really was a special kid.