Imagine being handed a recording of your son's last heartbeat. In October 2013, this was a gift Christine Perrelli received from her husband Anthony just hours after their 26-year-old son became an organ donor.  

April is Organ Donor Awareness Month so it was very appropriate for the NYC based non profit for the arts called The AJ Project to present this dance piece called Create From the HeART at their annual friend raiser on April 6, 2019.  Thanks to musician Jarvis Green, choreographer Kerry McManus, support from the Corson Family Foundation and volunteers from The AJ Project, Christine's dream of producing a music and dance piece inspired by AJ's heartbeat came to life. This one project brought together so many elements of the AJ Projects mission of connecting and providing support to creative artists and bringing a voice to causes through the arts.

Create from the heART made its premiere during Organ Donor Awareness Month at the AJ Project's 3rd Annual Friend Raiser for Organ Donor Awareness held at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadow New York.  

"People ask me why I started the AJ Project and why we choose the arts and to advocate for organ donation. What I tell them is this. Here we are five years later and because of AJ’s story and The AJ Project I can still talk about my son like a proud momma. I get to brag of his accomplishments as an artists and his generosity as a donor.  I always hope that his story will inspire creatives to work hard and give back to the community."  

Christine Perrelli, AJ's mother and  co-founder, The AJ Project

We are an arts org.

We bring professional and emerging artist together to raise funds and awareness to important critical issues and causes. 

We champion the importance of organ donor registration.  Why? #4AJ 

501(c)3 not for profit 

Why organ donation?

* Because of AJ, people world wide registered for organ donation

* When the Perrelli family heard the statistics on donation in our area they were appalled

* Even though you may be registered you family can still refuse your wishes

* Not everyone is able to donate organs but there are other options such as tissue, corneas and bone

In NY/HudsonValley/Long Island Area

In 2013 

Ranked 50th in the nation for organ donation

only 223 people donated organs

Over 10,000 people on the waiting list

In 2018

Ranked 50th in the nation for organ donation

only 313 people donated organs

Over 10,000 people on the waiting list

*Statistics provided by Unos and LiveOnNY 

Why The AJ Project? The simple answer is #4AJ.  

When AJ passed away, a fund was set up to help with his burial costs. After all was done, there was $800 still in the account. AJ's mother promised that any remaining money would be put into a fund for the arts in honor of AJ. The AJ Project was born.

This project exists as an extension of its namesake: AJ Perrelli's love of creating and connecting those who create. AJ was a professional dancer, singer, actor and artist who left us too soon at 26. His final casting call was as an organ donor. Because of AJ's generosity both in life and after his death, people worldwide were inspired to pursue their passions for the the arts and sign up as organ donors.

The AJ Project is dedicated to the memory of Anthony "AJ" Perrelli (AJ's story)  
August 5, 1987 - October 16, 2013

The AJ Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation.