Two New Jersey students, Lisa Taggart, 23, of Manalapan, and Anna Tawfik, 17, of Colonia, received academic scholarships awarded by the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America, formerly known as the New York/New Jersey National Kidney Foundation. Both young women are Saint Barnabas Health Care System kidney transplant recipients. They are among eight winners chosen from more than 40 applicants from throughout the United States.
 was presented with a $2,500 Ira Greifer, M.D., Scholarship for her academic achievement and commitment to pursuing a higher education. After both of her kidneys failed suddenly at age 13, Ms. Tawfik received a kidney donated by her mother. "I am one of the fortunate people, because I was able to have a transplant," says Ms. Tawfik. She plans to "experience all that life is offering and not take anything for granted."
Ms. Tawfik is a graduate of Colonia High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society, as well as a peer assistant and yearbook photo editor. Of all her extracurricular activities, Ms. Tawfik says creative writing remains her favorite. "Writing is what frees me and music keeps me alive," she says. Ms. Tawfik was invited to read a selection of her poems at the Barron Arts Center in Woodbridge and plays the guitar and harmonica. She began her first semester at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in September 2002.
 was honored with a $500 Covelli Family Achievement Award for her outstanding academic success. Having struggled with kidney disease since infancy, she is the recipient of two kidney transplants. "Lisa has overcome many obstacles and the stress of living with chronic illness," remarks Sally Goldstein, M.S.W., social worker, who nominated Ms. Taggart for the award.
Ms. Taggart studies psychology and plans to work with children in the future. Reflecting on her experience, she says, "Kidney disease has definitely made me a stronger person. It has taught me to be sensitive to others and to look deeper than a person’s exterior." Ms. Taggart is a sophomore at Georgian Court College in Lakewood, N.J., where she maintains a 3.8 grade point average.
For more information about the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Transplantation, please call (973) 322-5264.
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