Teaming up for Donation – “Team Noah Man”
Jennifer Maloney heard about the Dash for Donation one week before the deadline to register a team. Seven days later, 144 people signed up to honor her son on ‘Team Noah Man,’ the largest group participating in the race.
The incredible support from friends, family, co-workers and strangers is a testament to the little boy who touched many lives during his short life and after death through tissue donation.
Noah Maloney
Members of “Team Noah Man” will walk and run in memory of Noah Maloney, who died unexpectedly on March 12, 2011 at the age of six. Noah was a tissue donor after his death, potentially impacting many other lives.
Jennifer has always been a registered donor and knows donation is what Noah would have wanted.
“One day I was watching a medical show on TV,” recalled Jennifer. “Noah walked in and asked me what it was about. When I told him they were fixing people he immediately said, “Oh, I want to do that!”
The Maloney Family
That reaction was no surprise to Jennifer, who describes Noah as a loving child who cared about everyone. He served as a peer mentor to younger children at his school and many stories have been shared with the Maloney family about his thoughtfulness.
The family said one story stands out in particular. In his role as a mentor, Noah was helping a child with developmental disabilities at recess. Jennifer said, “When the teacher told them to be careful, Noah replied, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got his back.’ That was just so Noah.”
The family plans to honor Noah’s generosity and legacy as a tissue donor at the Dash for Donation July 9. “Team Noah Man,” a nickname Noah’s father gave him, is a way for the family to recognize that Noah lives on through the “Gift of Life.”
“It’s overwhelming how many people signed up,” said Jennifer of the team that now includes 165 members. “It feels really good that we have such a strong support system. Everyone really cares and they’ve been standing behind us the whole way.”
You can honor heroes, like Noah, by participating in the Dash for Donation. To learn more or register, click here.