ATLANTIC CITY--It was an Olympic style torch run in Atlantic City today, and while these runners may not be professional athletes, they definitely have heart. And for some, it was the gift of a heart that made today possible. Today's event was all about celebrating life and raising awareness about passing it on through organ donation.

As 7 year-old Erin Brenner scampers down the boardwalk, it's a sight at one point, her mother thought she'd never see. "Erin is, she means life," said her mother Irene Brenner. Erin is a recipient of a liver, donated to her 6 years ago by a little girl named Shanna who lost her life at the age of 2. "When I see Erin smile or go down a slide, I just think of her, I think of Shanna," said Irene, "and I think of those parents and I just say thank God, thank you."

Many of those running in this Olympic style torch relay have similar stories. The all have received organs, or are relatives of someone who gave the gift of life. "I just want to say thank you for having their son give me a kidney that I need," said 13 year-old Kimberly McGowan, who had a kidney transplant less than a year ago.

While today is about celebrating the second chance at life these organ recipients received, one family here wasn't as lucky. Dianne Bottino lost her husband after waiting 10 months for a liver. "Joe's life rested on a gift," said Dianne, "a gift that never came."

Dianne's husband, Joe, died of Hepatitis C while waiting for his transplant. She and her family have made it their mission to raise awareness and support for organ transplantation and donation. "There are currently about 4,000 New Jersey residents on a waiting list for an organ transplant," said Dianne, "nationally, this number is 99,056. Each day 18 people will die before they get the organ they so desperately need."

This group hopes that like passing the torch, others will pass the gift of life, like Kathy O'Brien's late-husband. "My husband John was such a giver in life," said Kathy, "his life isn't over, it just continues to go."

A bill aimed at increasing the number of registered organ donors, named the New Jersey Hero Act, is now before Governor Corzine for review.

The transplant games will take place in Pittsburgh in July. For more information about the games or organ donations, click here.