CHERRY HILL — On Sunday, April 20, an Organ Donor Awareness Seminar was held at Queen of Heaven Parish’s Kurylo Hall here. Several speakers talked about the importance of organ donation, and how it can give hope in even the darkest times.

Sandy Petrelli, whose son, Joseph, died awaiting a liver transplant, introduced each speaker. She began the night with a thought-provoking statistic: if 90 percent of the population support organ donation, how come only 30 percent are actual donors?

Furthermore, she stated that every day, 18 people die while waiting for an organ transplant. Those waiting for organs “depend on the compassion and generosity” of people, she said.

Frank Nardi, music director at Queen of Heaven, recounted his experience as a double-organ transplant patient, the recipient of a new kidney and pancreas.