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Mayor's Message:
Be A Donor
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Dear Jazz,
No matter what type of life we lead – from when we were born until when we are gone – our body is our most vital resource. And it is such a great and well-made gift that we can share parts of it to save fellow human beings when they need it most. Every organ donor has the potential to save eight (8) lives and enhance over seventy-five (75) more. You can give someone a second chance at life with sufficient bravery, fortitude, and generosity. According to the Health Resources & Services Administration, 105,800 men, women, and children are on the national transplant waiting list. Heartbreakingly, seventeen (17) persons die each day waiting for an organ. This is particularly frustrating when you consider that a 2019 study found that 90% of adults support organ donation, but only 60% are donors.
So, what does it take to be a donor?
When you register, your information is put into a national database. Strict protocols are in place to ensure the ethical and fair distribution of organs. Organs are matched by blood and tissue typing, organ size, medical urgency, wait time, and geographical location. You do not have to be in perfect physical shape to be an organ donor - your condition at the time of the donation will determine which organs or tissue can be donated. Donors are needed for all ages, races, and ethnic groups. There is no age limit for giving or receiving a transplant. One incredible man donated a liver when he was 95 years old. Although shared ethnicity is not required for matching organ donors and those receiving transplants, success rates increase when organs match members of the same ethnic background. A more diverse donor registry gives ethnic minorities waiting for an organ a better chance to find a successful donor match.
Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions is that doctors won’t work as hard to save your life during an emergency if you are an organ donor. However, when you are admitted to a hospital, the number one mandate of health professionals is to save your life. Organ donation can only be considered after death has been declared and all life-saving measures have been exhausted. Although we hope that we will never be in that position, by registering to be an organ donor, we can make the last thing we do on this Earth the act of saving a life. However, we should not forget that being a donor while alive and healthy is also an option. Donating one of your kidneys, a liver lobe, a part of a lung, part of your pancreas, or part of the intestines, skin, bone, healthy cells, amnion, and blood is possible. Four out of every ten donations are actually living donations.
You can donate organs or tissue to someone you know, like a close family member or friend. Ten years ago, Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts was diagnosed with bone marrow myelodysplastic syndrome after beating breast cancer. Thankfully, Robin’s sister Sally-Ann was a perfect match for a blood stem cell transplant that saved Robin’s life. Robin’s experience of desperately needing a bone marrow transplant is not unique, but the reality is that we need more of these stories with happy endings. About 70% of patients that a bone marrow transplant could save are still looking for their donor.
The line of thousands of people waiting for an organ comprises grandparents who want nothing more than one more Thanksgiving, fathers and mothers who desperately want to watch their children grow up, and children who wish to have the opportunity to experience life fully. They still have much to share, learn, accomplish, and contribute. We can help them write the rest of their story. For all we know, someone in our city could be in desperate need. Let’s #LovePlainfield and be there for one another by registering as an organ donor here: Your Information | Donate Life America (registerme.org).
#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Mensaje Del Alcalde:
Ser Un Donante
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Queridx Jazz,
No importa qué tipo de vida llevemos - desde que nacimos hasta que nos vamos - nuestro cuerpo es nuestro recurso más vital. Y es un regalo muy grande que podemos compartir partes de nosotros para salvar a otros seres humanos cuando más lo necesitan. Cada donante de órganos tiene el potencial de salvar ocho (8) vidas y mejorar más de setenta y cinco (75) más. Puedes darle a alguien una segunda oportunidad en la vida con suficiente valentía, fortaleza y generosidad. Según la Administración de Recursos y Servicios de Salud, 105,800 hombres, mujeres y niños están en la lista de espera nacional para trasplantes. Lamentablemente, diecisiete (17) personas mueren cada día esperando un órgano. Esto es particularmente frustrante si considera que un estudio de 2019 encontró que el 90 % de los adultos apoya la donación de órganos, pero solo el 60 % son donantes.
Entonces, ¿qué se necesita para ser donante?
Cuando se registra, su información se coloca en una base de datos nacional. Existen protocolos estrictos para garantizar la distribución ética y justa de los órganos. Los órganos se comparan por tipo de sangre y tejido, tamaño del órgano, urgencia médica, tiempo de espera y ubicación geográfica. No tiene que estar en perfecta forma física para ser donante de órganos; su condición en el momento de la donación determinará qué órganos o tejidos se pueden donar. Se necesitan donantes de todas las edades, razas y grupos étnicos. No hay límite de edad para dar o recibir un trasplante. Un hombre increíble donó un hígado cuando tenía 95 años. Aunque no se requiere un origen étnico compartido para la compatibilidad entre los donantes de órganos y los que reciben trasplantes, las tasas de éxito aumentan cuando los órganos coinciden con miembros del mismo origen étnico. Un registro de donantes más diverso brinda a las minorías étnicas que esperan un órgano una mejor oportunidad de encontrar un donante compatible exitoso.
Quizás uno de los mayores conceptos erróneos es que los médicos no trabajarán tan duro para salvarle la vida durante una emergencia si usted es donante de órganos. Sin embargo, cuando ingresa en un hospital, el mandato número uno de los profesionales de la salud es salvarle la vida. La donación de órganos solo puede considerarse después de que se haya declarado la muerte y se hayan agotado todas las medidas de salvamento. Aunque esperamos nunca estar en esa posición, al registrarnos para ser donantes de órganos, podemos hacer que lo último que hagamos en esta Tierra sea el acto de salvar una vida. Sin embargo, no debemos olvidar que ser donante en vida y sano también es una opción. Es posible donar uno de sus riñones, un lóbulo hepático, parte de un pulmón, parte de su páncreas o parte de los intestinos, piel, hueso, células sanas, amnios y sangre. Cuatro de cada diez donaciones son en realidad donaciones en vida.
Puede donar órganos o tejidos a alguien que conozca, como un familiar cercano o un amigo. Hace diez años, la presentadora de Good Morning America, Robin Roberts, fue diagnosticado con síndrome mielodisplásico de médula ósea después de vencer el cáncer de mama. Afortunadamente, la hermana de Robin, Sally-Ann, era la pareja perfecta para un trasplante de células madre sanguíneas que salvó la vida de Robin. La experiencia de Robin de necesitar desesperadamente un trasplante de médula ósea no es única, pero la realidad es que necesitamos más de estas historias con finales felices. Alrededor del 70% de los pacientes que un trasplante de médula ósea podría salvar todavía están buscando a su donante.
La fila de miles de personas que esperan un órgano está compuesta por abuelos que no quieren nada más que un Día de Acción de Gracias más, padres y madres que desean desesperadamente ver crecer a sus hijos y niños que desean tener la oportunidad de experimentar la vida plenamente. Todavía tienen mucho que compartir, aprender, lograr y contribuir. Podemos ayudarlos a escribir el resto de su historia. Por lo que sabemos, alguien en nuestra ciudad podría estar en una necesidad desesperada. Vamos a #AmarPlainfield y estar allí el uno para el otro registrándonos como donante de órganos aquí: Su información | Dona Vida América (registerme.org).
#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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Recap | Plainfield Fundraiser for Businesses Impacted By
Front Street Fire
Friday, February 17
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On Friday, February 17, 2023, the residents of Plainfield came together to raise funds for the business owners impacted by the front street fire - showing that the Queen City stands & supports the small business community that serves as the backbone of local economies.
In attendance was Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, City Council President Charles McRae, Councilman Barry Goode, Councilman Robert Graham, Department Health & Social Services Shep Brown, Police Department Director James T. Abney, and Director of Economic Development Zenobia among other city officials.
If you - as a resident or business - were unable to join us but would like to donate to the Plainfield Fire Disaster Recovery Fund: checks can be written to the City of Plainfield with “Recovery Fund” in the memo and dropped off at the Mayor and Business Administrators' office at Plainfield City Hall (515 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield).
If you are an impacted business owner that would like to apply for financial relief: prepare a packet with high-level proof of damage, written explanation of need, proof of insurance (or lack thereof), a W-9 form, and a Business Registration Certificate (BRC). Then, please get in touch with Principal Planner Maximo Vazquez by emailing [email protected] or calling 908-753-342.
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Black History Month Spotlight:
Charles Richard Drew
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Charles Richard Drew (1904-1950) earned the title “father of the blood bank” for his medical innovations in the use and preservation of blood plasma. Dr. Drew grew up in Washington D.C. and received his bachelor’s degree at Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he was 1 of only 13 Black students. In 1938, he began receiving surgical training at Presbyterian Hospital in New York as he was pursuing his doctorate in medical science at Columbia University. While at Columbia he worked on a project to create an experimental blood bank by conducting extensive original research in blood chemistry, fluid replacement, and the variables affecting blood preservation. The trial ran for seven months and was a great success. Dr. Drew’s 1940 doctoral thesis, “Banked Blood: A Study in Blood Preservation” made him the first Black person to earn a doctorate in medical science from Columbia.
Using their blood bank as a model, Dr. Drew and his mentor Dr. John Scudder worked to provide blood for the U.S. relief program – Blood for Britain – as World War Two made its way through Europe and left Great Britain in desperate need for large quantities of blood and plasma. By the time Blood for Britain ended in January 1941, more than 14,000 blood donations were collected, and 5,000 liters of plasma were shipped to England under Dr. Drew’s leadership. The American Red Cross used the Blood for Britain program to create a national blood banking program alongside Dr. Drew. Dr. Drew’s contributions to this program introduced bloodmobiles to the American public, these mobile blood collection units formed the basis of “blood drives” as we know them today.
It’s important to remember that some of the projects Dr. Drew gave so much to required that blood donations of Black people be segregated from the donations of white people despite having no medical necessity to be, and that the Red Cross program did not accept Black donors at all until 1942 and segregated the blood until 1950. Dr. Drew spoke out against these discriminatory policies and worked to create opportunities for Black doctors. In 1941, Drew left the Red Cross program to create the first top-level surgical program for Black doctors at Howard University. Dr. Drew tragically died in a car accident in 1950 at the age of 46. A powerful figure in medical history, Dr. Charles Rickard Drew's work, determination, and brilliance has saved and continues to save millions of lives.
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Are you eligible for property tax relief? If you:
- Owned or rented your home on 10/1/19
- Meet income requirements
- File or are exempt from NJ income taxes
You may qualify for an ANCHOR benefit. Learn more: bit.ly/NJANCHOR
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The Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) Fellowship Program
and the
Advancing Hispanics & Latinos (AHL) Fellowship Program
(Click on Images for More Information)
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The Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) and Advancing Hispanics & Latinos (AHL) Fellowship Programs are six-week, paid, full-time programs designed to introduce college students from all backgrounds — including Black, Hispanic and Latino — to the financial industry and help build a pathway to future career opportunities.
The deadline is March 10th.
Applications can be found by clicking on the images.
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Do You Know What's Happening in your City?
Click the Image below and take a look at Plainfield's Latest City Events, Community Resources, and so much more!
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Check out our City's Commercial:
"Welcome to Plainfield"
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¿ How Do You Show Love for Plainfield? | |
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Watch our 2022 Love Plainfield Commercial!
" The Queen City is Love"
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2022 Fall Newsletter
"Where We Were. Where We Are. Where We're Going."
Click the image to read it virtually!
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A MESSAGE FROM
UNION COUNTY:
Union County Board Of County Commissioners announce Workshops to support Long-term Housing Security for Qualifying Seniors and Veterans
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The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that a series of four informational sessions will be held for qualifying seniors and veterans who wish to file a property tax appeal. The new, first-of-its-kind program is designed assist in navigating the appeal process without incurring unnecessary attorney fees, as part of Union County’s commitment to support long-term housing security for qualifying seniors and veterans.
“As part of my 2023 Chairman initiatives “Building a Stronger Union County,” taking care of our seniors and veterans is something that our Commissioner Board strives to do and we believe that this is a way to help individuals living in Union County stay in the homes that they own, especially when living costs are on the rise,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “These workshops, that include both information and filing assistance, will help ensure that those on a budget can access information on their property and possibly reduce their property taxes by appealing, all while Union County is covering the costs of the filing fee for those who attend. Together, we continue to prioritize our efforts to strengthen the programs and services offered to our residents, while maintaining our strong financial footing – because we know that every dollar counts.”
The sessions will be conducted by staff attorneys with the Union County Office of the County Counsel. Attendees will learn how to file an appeal without an attorney; get assistance in completing the appeals application; and get help navigating online resources to obtain recent sales comparisons.
The sessions are free but registration is required in advance at www.ucnj.org/taworkshop. Please call Union County at 908-527-4182 if any additional assistance with registration is needed.
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
Governor Murphy Announces Comprehensive Set of Initiatives to Combat Climate Change and Power the “Next New Jersey”
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NEW BRUNSWICK – In an address at Rutgers University, Governor Phil Murphy announced a series of new and accelerated targets and commitments to build upon the Administration’s nation-leading climate action record. The Administration will bolster its robust climate adaptation and mitigation efforts through an accelerated target of 100% clean energy by 2035, ambitious goal-setting for electrification of the state’s building sector, and collaborative planning for the future of the State’s natural gas utilities, through three Executive Orders signed by the Governor this morning. Additionally, the State will offer new grant funding for heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs), initiate the process to adopt Advanced Clean Cars II in New Jersey and ensure 100 percent of new cars sold in 2035 are zero-emission vehicles, and enact rules to enhance flood protection in riverine and coastal areas.
“These bold targets and carefully crafted initiatives signal our unequivocal commitment to swift and concrete climate action today,” said Governor Murphy. “We’ve turned our vision for a greener tomorrow into a responsible and actionable roadmap to guide us, and it’s through that pragmatic, evidence-based approach that we will ultimately arrive at our destination. Combined with our federal partnerships reinforced through the Inflation Reduction Act, these comprehensive initiatives will better protect and prepare every New Jersey community, including those on the front lines of climate change who have previously been left out and left behind.”
“The climate change impacts we are already experiencing in our state demand that we take innovative, decisive action today to give future generations of New Jersey residents a chance at a good quality of life,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver. “Our deep affection for New Jersey and the people who call it home propel us to adopt policies and launch programs that help us address and adapt to the realities of climate change. It is with pride that the Murphy Administration takes a leadership role on this urgent issue and we are hopeful that New Jerseyans of every walk of life will support these efforts to promote climate resilience.”
The Governor outlined six pillars that will serve as the foundation for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient New Jersey.
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE:
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES ACTION TO SAVE HOMEBUYERS AND HOMEOWNERS $800 PER YEAR
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Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced an action that will save homebuyers and homeowners with new FHA-insured mortgages an average of $800 per year, lowering housing costs for an estimated 850,000 homebuyers and homeowners in 2023.
Vice President Harris and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Fudge will travel to Bowie, Maryland, today to announce that HUD, through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), will reduce its annual mortgage insurance premium by 0.30 percentage points, from 0.85% to 0.55% for most new borrowers. The mortgage insurance premium is the monthly fee that homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages pay to insure their mortgages, which they pay on top of their monthly principal and interest payments.
Homeownership is currently the principal source of wealth creation for most American households. But due to a nationwide shortfall in the supply of affordable homes and shifting demand for housing during the pandemic, first-time homebuyers have struggled in recent years to achieve homeownership. First-generation homebuyers and first-time homebuyers of color – who are less likely to have sufficient resources for a sizeable down payment due to a longstanding gap in intergenerational wealth transfers – have been particularly affected.
Today’s announcement is an important step in making homeownership more attainable. FHA-insured mortgages, which accounted for 7.5% of home sales in the third quarter of 2022, are targeted at homebuyers who otherwise may not be able to achieve homeownership. This cost-lowering measure will make buying a home more attainable and affordable for more low- and middle-income borrowers.
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HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
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Exercise your civic duty-- be the eyes and ears of our City! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in our Plainfield community. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with ReportIt. | |
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Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate City department to be resolved.
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Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter | |
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Sign up for our weekly newsletter and stay informed on the latest projects, and events around our Queen City!
Call us at: 908.753.3015 or
E:[email protected]
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|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.|
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future. | | | | |
