“I know Lauren is smiling down on us today,” said Jeanne Shields, as she accepted the Outstanding Volunteer in Philanthropy award on behalf of her daughter Lauren, a Dominican University New York alumna and organ donor advocate who passed away in June. Lauren, a 2022 graduate of Dominican University, received a lifesaving heart transplant at eight years old. She was honored posthumously at the 26th Annual Rockland Philanthropy Day on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Pearl River Hilton in Pearl River, NY.
After receiving her second chance at life as a child, Lauren believed it was her duty to pay it forward and do good for others, explained her mom. Lauren became a passionate advocate for organ, tissue, and blood donations, personally helping to register thousands of New Yorkers as donors. At 12 years old, Lauren’s advocacy helped inspire the passage of Lauren’s Law, requiring New Yorkers applying for or renewing a driver’s license to answer the question about organ donation. By 14 years old, Lauren was a keynote speaker at Philanthropy Day.
“So much has been written since Lauren passed about her extraordinary accomplishments. But as her mom, I think what makes me proudest are the things she did when nobody was watching,” said Jeanne. “Lauren made countless visits to Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, spending time with children waiting for transplants. She offered hope, held their hands, played games – whatever they needed to get through another day. And she didn’t forget them when she left. She followed their journeys and stayed in touch. She adopted families during the holidays to make sure children had gifts to open. And I learned just how many personal notes she wrote to people going through difficult times.”
After graduating from Dominican University, Lauren became a Community and Government Affairs Liaison for LiveOnNY, turning her lifelong mission into her profession. Even while awaiting a second kidney transplant, Lauren continued advocating for others. In her death, she became a tissue donor, in her final act of kindness.
In honor of the Philanthropy awardees, $500 was donated to a Rockland nonprofit. Jeanne said that the Shields family chose the Montefiore Nyack Foundation to receive the $500 award because the doctor, nurses and ICU staff at Montefiore Nyack provided exceptional care for Lauren with tremendous compassion.