Suffolk Police Officer’s Family, Organ Recipient To Reunite At 5K

EAST ISLIP, NY — Donor families, transplant recipients and organ donation advocates will gather at Heckscher State Park on Saturday for LiveOnNY’s Suffolk County 5K For Life Run/Walk.

The event, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 3 at Field 4, will honor organ donors and bring together people whose lives have been directly affected by donation and transplantation, according to LiveOnNY.

Among those expected to attend are the family of Suffolk County Police Officer Russell Scott and NYPD Detective 1st Grade Mary Woods, who received an organ donated by Scott.

Scott had expressed a wish to donate his viable organs, according to LiveOnNY. His donations ultimately helped save three lives, including Woods’.

Other Suffolk County police officers are also expected to participate.

Long Island liver transplant recipient Carlos Riley is also scheduled to attend alongside members of the family of Claire Rossi, his donor.

Rossi, who had ties to Queens and Long Island, became an organ donor after she died in 2024. Her family agreed to the donation, and Riley received her liver during a transplant in February 2024, according to LiveOnNY.

Heart transplant recipient Brandon Robert will also return to the event after serving as an event leader during the Suffolk County 5K in 2025.

Robert was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that led to heart failure and eventually required a transplant. He learned that a donor heart had become available on Christmas Day 2024, LiveOnNY said.

The 5K is expected to draw hundreds of donor families, transplant recipients, advocates and community members.

Proceeds will benefit the LiveOnNY Foundation and its organ donation and transplantation efforts.

The event will be held at Heckscher State Park, 1 Heckscher State Parkway, Field 4, East Islip.