Hamilton resident Amber Astalos has been awarded a 2026 Health Sciences Scholarship from the Sharing Network Foundation for her commitment to nursing and organ and tissue donation.
Astalos, a nursing major at Mercer County Community College, was one of eight New Jersey college students selected for the scholarships, which are funded through NJ Sharing Network’s Employee Giving Campaign.
Her interest in nursing and organ donation grew from the death of her childhood best friend, Hailey Palumbo, who was killed in a car accident at age 15.
Palumbo’s family chose to donate her organs and tissue, helping save or improve the lives of more than 40 people. Astalos later met Hannah, the recipient of Palumbo’s liver, an experience that made the impact of organ donation especially personal for her.
Astalos now works as a critical care technician while pursuing her nursing degree. She hopes to honor her friend’s legacy by providing compassionate care and helping others through her work in health care.
The Sharing Network Foundation scholarship program is open to New Jersey residents enrolled in a U.S. college or university and studying nursing, social work, medical technology, biology or another health sciences field. Applicants also must demonstrate a connection to organ and tissue donation or transplantation through personal experience, advocacy or career goals.
More than 100,000 Americans, including more than 3,000 New Jersey residents, are waiting for an organ transplant, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.
For more information, go to SharingNetworkFoundation.org/Scholarship.
