A P U B L I C A T I O N O F N J S H A R I N G N E T W O R K

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WAITING FOR THE CALL:One Woman’s Hope, Another Woman’s Faith

Innovative LabSciences Saving

More Lives

We spend considerable time talking about the waitinglist in New Jersey; right now there are nearly 5,000 peoplehoping and praying for a life-saving organ.

At NJ Sharing Network, we celebrate every life savedwhen an organ is matched with someone on this list. And,along with the families, we mourn the loss of a loved oneand those who simply couldn’t wait any longer.

Our organization is proud that we save as many lives aswe do, but it haunts us to know that people still die every day waiting. Together, we must ensurethat anyone who wants to be an organ donor knows about the process and is promptly registered.

In this issue of Circle of Life, we tell the story of hope and perseverance through the eyes ofDorothea Duffy, who has been on the waiting list for a kidney since 2010. She recently visited SaintBarnabas Medical Center in Livingston, where she heard comforting words from Dr. Stuart R.Geffner, a transplant surgeon, and Gwendolyn Anderson, a Newark woman who was fortunate toreceive a kidney nearly four years ago.

NJ Sharing Network is also working to reduce the waiting list through the groundbreakingwork of our on-site lab. Under the leadership of Dr. Prakash Rao, we are finding ways to makemore donated organs viable for transplant, helping ensure that precious gifts are not wasted.

You can learn more about Dr. Rao and his incredible team in this issue of the magazine, inwhich we are proud to profile their work, a state-of-the-art lab and his commitment to medical advances that will ultimately save lives in New Jersey and across the globe.

During this year’s National Donor Sabbath Nov. 15-17, we focused on compassion, courage,and charity – virtues of central significance for every major religion. As always, NJ Sharing Networkhosted events with clergy, who play a critical role in guiding families through serious lifetime decisions.

Thank you for your continued support of NJ Sharing Network. Together, we are making anincredible difference in reducing the waiting list.

2 SUMMER 2013

BOARD OF TRUSTEESVito PulitoChair Bruce I. Goldstein, Esq.Vice ChairHoward A. NelsonTreasurerMarc H. LorySecretaryPatrick M. Buddle, MDMargaret DrekerBonnie EvansEdward J. Florio, Esq.Michael P. HeddenAline M. Holmes, RN Anthony L. MarchettaVijay Rajput, MDTimothy J. Touhey

ADVISORY BOARDLoretta Aigner, RNTransplant Center Administrator RepresentativeGail CleggOrgan and Tissue Donor Family Member RepresentativeRoseann DiBrienza, RN, MSPublic RepresentativeStuart R. Geffner, MDTransplant Surgeon RepresentativeMichael Gould, MDEmergency Room Personnel RepresentativeSarah E. Jensen, Esq.Public RepresentativeDavid A. Laskow, MDTransplant Surgeon RepresentativeJames Lim, MDTransplant Surgeon RepresentativeDebra L. Morgan, MSW, LCSWTransplant Center Administrator RepresentativeShamkant Mulgaonkar, MDTransplant Center Administrator RepresentativeTrish O’Keefe, RN, MSNHospital Administrator RepresentativeTy J. Olson, MDNeurosurgeon RepresentativeJohn S. Radomski, MDTransplant Surgeon RepresentativePrakash Rao, PhD, MBA, FACHE, HCLDHuman Histocompatibility Specialist RepresentativeBruce StroeverTissue Bank RepresentativeHarry Sun, MDTransplant Surgeon RepresentativeDorian J. Wilson, MDTransplant Surgeon RepresentativeMark J. Zucker, MDTransplant Physician Representative

Joseph S. RothPresident and Chief Executive OfficerNJ Sharing Network

Pictured (l-r): Dr. Stuart R. Geffner, DorotheaDuffy, and Gwendolyn Anderson at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

On the Cover: Pictured (l-r): Dorothea Duffy, waiting for a kidney; Dr. Stuart R. Geffner, transplant surgeon at Saint Barnabas;Gwendolyn Anderson, kidney transplant recipient.

As the year comes to a close, I would like to reflect onour successes and give thanks to all who have helped us inour life-saving mission. Let me start by telling you about our 15th Annual Golf & Tennis Classic, held for the first time at the prestigious Baltusrol Golf Club. Golfers enjoyedplaying on the same beautiful course that will host the 2016 PGA Championship, and we look forward to anotherclassic on October 6 of next year as our relationship with Baltusrol continues.

More important, the event helped us raise philanthropic dollars to further our efforts to savelives through organ and tissue donation. These projects include the new organ and tissue donationexhibit at Liberty Science Center, the publication of a children’s book that explores our annual 5K fundraiser through the eyes of a child, and EffectiveArts, an organization that uses consulting,research and training to improve consent rates.

Your support also enables us to be represented on the Donate Life America Rose Parade float.Millions of television viewers will see Bergen County resident Pam Drozd honor her husband’s finalact of kindness — the gift of life — at the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Californiaon New Year’s Day. Pam’s husband, Mike, passed away in 2008 and became a tissue donor helping57 people. Pam will decorate a “floragraph” portrait of Mike that will be displayed on the float.

I hope you enjoy this issue, which includes a poignant article about the challenge of waiting fora life-saving organ, as well as an exploration of our state-of-the-art laboratory and its critical role inour mission to save lives. On page 14 we list the supporters of our 2013 Annual Fund — and I wantto thank every one of them for their generosity and commitment to our work.

And let me welcome Dan Sarnowski, the newest member of our Foundation board. Dan volunteers to honor the gift of his longtime companion, Betsy Niles, who became an organ donorin 2011. I know our board will benefit from Dan’s insight, ideas and commitment.

Finally I want to tell you that we are already gearing up for next year’s 4th Annual NJ SharingNetwork 5K Walk & USATF-Certified Race. Mark your calendars for June 8, 2014, and please acceptmy heartfelt thanks for all the ways you support our mission to save lives.

3www.NJSharingNetwork.org

FOUNDATION BOARDPeter Rooney, ChairOgilvy CommonHealth WorldwideResident of MendhamMarla Bace, Vice ChairCircles, a division of SodexoResident of Berkeley HeightsPhilip S. Kolm, TreasurerResident of Fort LeeAlberta D’Addio, SecretaryResident of WatchungDonna Albanese-DeMair, Immediate Past ChairDairy Queen of PlainfieldResident of Scotch PlainsJ.D. de LeonResident of Jersey CityJuanita DiNizoRobert Wood Johnson University HospitalResident of Scotch PlainsLenore C. FordResident of MorristownRandi GeffnerResident of LivingstonHonorable F. Michael GilesResident of West OrangeDerlys M. Gutierrez, Esq.Adams Stern Gutierrez & Lattiboudere, LLCResident of MontclairThomas Ludlum, Esq.City of Paterson Law DepartmentLudlum Law OfficesResident of Glen RockLisa MeyersSummit YMCAResident of SummitAnthony E. PizzutilloSmith Pizzutillo LLCResident of LawrencevilleHelen Taverna ReaganResident of Basking RidgeSuzann RizzoInvestors BankResident of Staten IslandDaniel SarnowskiResident of Cutchogue, NYBernard SimonResident of EdisonMyles VarleyPersonal Resource Management Associates, Inc.Resident of Mount Olive Township

Ex-Officio Members:Joseph S. RothPresident and CEONJ Sharing NetworkBarry NewmanChief Financial OfficerNJ Sharing Network Elisse GlennonExecutive DirectorNJ Sharing Network Foundation

EDITORIAL TEAMMara BarlowAssistant Director, Marketing and CommunicationsNJ Sharing NetworkLernard FreemanPublic Relations Manager NJ Sharing NetworkCo-Produced by Jaffe Communications & Campbell Health MediaContributors:Jay Arisso, Jr.Pam DeLucaJan HinesDavid O’Hara

Elisse GlennonExecutive Director, FoundationNJ Sharing Network

Members of Team Liberty traveled to Houston, Texas, to attend the manager’splanning meeting for the 2014 TransplantGames of America taking place in the city.Team Liberty, a program of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation, supports transplantcommunity athletes who compete inOlympic-style games. Pictured (l-r) are TeamLiberty co-managers Victor DiSanto,Michael Strusiak, Michael DiPiano and Patti DiSanto. More information is availableat GoTeamLiberty.org.

An emotional and poignant segment on CBS nationalnews tells the story of Mary DiNardo meeting the recipient of her husband's heart, Don Zolkwisky, a decorated war veteran from South Plainfield. Mary’shusband, Marc DiNardo, was a 37-year-old Jersey Citypolice detective killed in the line of duty in 2009. Recently, Mary met Don for the first time at NJ SharingNetwork headquarters in New Providence. NewscasterScott Pelley opened the CBS segment by saying thateven after his death, Detective Marc DiNardo contin-ues to save lives. The segment can be viewed onNJSharingNetwork.org. Pictured are Don and Mary withthe DiNardo children, Marc Anthony, 7, Ella, 6, andGwendolyn, 8.

National Donor Sabbath ProgramsFaith leaders can provide crucial support to familiesfacing unforeseen tragedy. To increase support and understanding of organ and tissue donation, NJ Sharing Network has faith-based outreach effortsyear-round for religious leaders of all faiths. To strengthen those bonds, NJ Sharing Network participates in conferences and hosts programs for thereligious community. On September 26, NJ Sharing Network participated in the Pastors Appreciation Lunch-eon in New York, hosted by Dr. David Jeremiah, founderof Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries. Morethan 600 pastors from the tri-state area attended, providing NJ Sharing Network with a great way to connect with New Jersey’s faith-based community.On October 9, religious leaders gathered at NJ SharingNetwork headquarters for a Donor Sabbath Faith-BasedCommunity Gathering. The religious leaders heard personal testimony and gained perspective from inter-

disciplinary faith leaders about how donation saveslives, restores health, and offers hope and healing tothe communities they serve.The events were in preparation for National Donor Sabbath Weekend that tookplace November 15-17. At thegatherings, faith leaders, such as Jewish rabbis, Catholic priests,Protestant ministers, Buddhistleaders and others spoke abouthow their religious faith supportsdonation as a generous, lifesav-ing act. “Each year we gather withfaith leaders who talk about thevalue of donation. They talk abouthow donation is a generous actsupported by their faith,” said JayArisso, Jr., manager of family services at NJ Sharing Network.

newsSHARING

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Hope, Healing at Remembrance Ceremony

Nursing Contact HoursDecember 10, 2013NJ Sharing Network Headquarters9:00 – 10:00 AM and 4:00 – 5:00 PMContact Barbara Turci at bturci@njsharingnetwork.orgVolunteer Certification TrainingJanuary 25, 2014 NJ Sharing Network HeadquartersContact Pam DeLuca at pdeluca@njsharingnetwork.orgDonor Advocacy Training DaysJanuary 10, 2014Morristown Medical CenterJanuary 27, 2014Saint Barnabas Medical CenterContact Barbara Mariani at bmariani@njsharingnetwork.org

CBS News:A Hero’s Legacy Lives On

Training Dates

More than 300 people came together at theannual Donor Remembrance Ceremony on October 20 to remember and honor our donors.NJ Sharing Network staff, donor family membersand recipients shared hugs and tears with thefamilies as their loved ones were remembered ina special photo and tribute presentation. It wasa day of healing and hope as stories of courage,generosity and love overflowed. Among those present were Ret. Honorable Judgeand Mrs. F. Michael Giles, who came to honortheir son, Dr. Randall Giles. A part of their tributeto him read: “He was a physician who caredabout people and always tried to ease discom-fort. He is truly one of the greatest blessings tograce our lives and we are blessed to have his

beautiful spirit forever in our hearts. May hislegacy live on in his children and in those whoreceived his gifts.”Some families paid tribute with poems or lettersand other poignant words, as photographsflashed on a screen. Kevin Morales Mejill will“always be in our hearts” and Scott Miller’smemory “remains in his ability to give others areason to smile.” The family of Kurt Daniel Bund-schuh will “find comfort knowing that through hisdeath he has helped others.” Tears fell as somany other families remembered their lovedone’s legacy of hope and generosity.

5www.NJSharingNetwork.org

Volunteer SpotlightIt was in 2002 that NJ Sharing Network

volunteer Matt Barbagallo donated the kidneythat extended his mother’s life by six years.

It also was his first step into understandingthe amazing gift of organ and tissue donationand how such generosity can help so many people live happy and healthy lives.

In March 2007, Matt learned about NJ Sharing Network when a volunteer was neededto participate in a display at Paramus HighSchool, where he works as a custodian. Fromthere, he was asked to staff a table at the localMotor Vehicle Commission agency in Oakland.

And so from the end of 2007 until today,you can find Matt every Saturday morning atthe MVC agency. He sets up his table and display by 7:45 a.m., says hello to his manyfriends on the MVC staff and spends the morn-ing encouraging motorists to check the box to register as potential organ donors. “Matt has played an instrumental role in helping NJ Sharing Network increase the number ofpeople who are on the donor registry. This is the first step in helping the nearly 5,000 peoplewaiting for a life-saving transplant here in

County 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Q2

HUNTERDON 36.1% 38.7% 40.5% 42.8% 44.0% 44.7% 45.1% SUSSEX 33.0% 35.9% 38.0% 40.1% 40.9% 41.4% 41.7% MORRIS 30.8% 33.5% 35.8% 37.9% 38.9% 39.4% 39.9% WARREN 30.8% 33.4% 35.3% 37.5% 38.3% 38.8% 39.2% SOMERSET 25.4% 28.3% 30.6% 33.5% 34.9% 35.7% 36.3% MONMOUTH 26.7% 29.1% 31.1% 33.4% 34.5% 35.2% 35.8% MERCER 23.2% 25.9% 28.5% 31.3% 32.7% 33.3% 33.9% OCEAN 26.3% 28.4% 30.0% 31.8% 32.5% 32.9% 33.2% BERGEN 21.9% 24.1% 25.9% 27.6% 28.4% 28.9% 29.5% UNION 17.9% 20.6% 23.1% 26.0% 27.6% 28.6% 29.4% MIDDLESEX 18.2% 20.7% 22.9% 25.4% 26.6% 27.3% 28.1% HUDSON 14.7% 17.5% 20.3% 23.2% 24.9% 26.0% 26.9% ESSEX 16.9% 19.4% 21.5% 23.6% 24.8% 25.7% 26.5% PASSAIC 18.1% 20.3% 22.2% 24.2% 24.9% 25.4% 25.9% Grand Total 22.3% 24.7% 26.8% 29.1% 30.2% 30.9% 31.5%

There are 5.6 million licensed drivers and ID holders living in Northern and Central NJ. The number of people registering as organ and tissue donors continues to grow each year.Despite this increase, New Jersey still ranks among the lowest in the nation.

Lives Enhanced through Tissue Donation*

Bayonne Medical Center 326Bayshore Community Hospital 316Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell 370Capital Health Regional Medical Center 1250Care One at Trinitas 2CentraState Medical Center 428Chilton Hospital 750Christ Hospital 318Clara Maass Medical Center 426Community Medical Center 812Compassionate Care Hospice 8Cooper University Hospital 1076East Orange General Hospital 100Englewood Hospital and Medical Center 280Hackensack University Medical Center 1394Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack2Hackettstown Regional Med. Center 408Hoboken University Medical Center 516Holy Name Hospital 466Hunterdon Medical Center 328Jersey City Medical Center 192Jersey Shore University Medical Center 1316JFK Medical Center 1048Kessler North 42Kimball Medical Center 184Kindred Hospital Rahway 2Meadowlands Hospital and Medical Center 132Monmouth County Medical Examiner 42Monmouth Medical Center 372Morris County Medical Examiner 242Morristown Medical Center 1464Mountainside Hospital 280Newark Beth Israel Medical Center 478Newton Medical Center 136Ocean County Medical Examiner 332Ocean Medical Center 176Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center 650Overlook Medical Center 1014Palisades Medical Center 404Raritan Bay Medical Center Old Bridge 230Raritan Bay Medical Center Perth Amboy 428Regional Medical Examiner 92Riverview Medical Center 524Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital 986Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton424Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway688Saint Barnabas Medical Center 390Saint Clare’s Hospital Denville 526Saint Clare’s Hospital Dover 362Saint Clare’s Hospital Sussex 372Select Specialty Hospital Northeast NJ 2Somerset Medical Center 110St. Francis Medical Center 230St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center 740St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital 44St. Luke’s Warren Hospital 226St. Marys Hospital 92St. Michael’s Medical Center 438St. Peter’s University Hospital 96The Valley Hospital 896Trinitas Regional Medical Center 454University Hospital 286University Medical Center Princeton at Plainsboro208VA New Jersey Heath Care System - East Orange4Vandermay Funeral Home 42January - September 2013 Total 26,972

Lives Saved through Organ Donation*

Bayonne Medical Center 5Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell 2Capital Health Regional Medical Center 36Chilton Hospital 2Cooper University Hospital 40Englewood Hospital and Medical Center 5Hackensack University Medical Center 11Hoboken University Medical Center 2Holy Name Hospital 2Jersey City Medical Center 9Jersey Shore University Medical Center 26JFK Medical Center 20Morristown Medical Center 22Newark Beth Israel Medical Center 5Ocean Medical Center 3Overlook Medical Center 4Raritan Bay Medical Center Old Bridge 3Riverview Medical Center 2Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital 17Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway2Saint Barnabas Medical Center 8St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center 26The Valley Hospital 11University Hospital 32University Medical Center Princeton at Plainsboro2January - September 2013 Total 297

* One organ donor can save up to eight lives. It is estimatedthat one bone donor can help 50 people, one skin donor canhelp 40 people, one heart valve donor can help two people.

New Jersey,” said Pam DeLuca, who overseesthe volunteer program as assistant director of NJ Sharing Network Foundation.

“When people come in I answer questionsabout organ donation and try to point them inthe right direction,” he said. “I talk about theneed to make the registry bigger and about howorgan and tissue donation saves lives. Whenpeople thank me, it puts a big smile on my face.It means so much.”

If you would like to learn more about NJ Sharing Network’s Volunteer Ambassadorprogram, please contact Pam DeLuca atpdeluca@njsharingnetwork.org.

DONOR REGISTRATION GROWS IN NJ

SOCIAL

6

Sherri Shepherd, co-host of the ABC daytime talk show “The View,” proudly displays the power of organ and tissuedonation with NJ Sharing Network volunteers (l-r) Russ Jackson and Steve Simms at a community event sponsoredby the YMCA. NJ Sharing Network is partnering with the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance to raise awareness about the life-saving benefits of organ donation.

PGA TOUR player and two-timeheart transplant recipient ErikCompton (on left) gives fellowheart transplant recipient and NJ Sharing Network volunteer and a member of Team Liberty,Joe DiSanto, a few pointers at a youth golf clinic at LibertyNational Golf Club in Jersey City.NJ Sharing Network teamed upwith Compton to host a golf clinicfor transplant recipients to helpspread the word about the importance of donor designation.

NJ Sharing Network was excited to support the Plainfield Dairy Queen’s “Christmas in July” bicyclegiveaway program. Pictured (l-r) at the event are:Plainfield Fire Chief Frank R. Towell, Plainfield MayorSharon Robinson-Briggs, Donna Albanese-DeMair;owner of the Plainfield Dairy Queen and a member of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board, andAlida Sandoval, events and communications coordinator for NJ Sharing Network.

Jackie Lue Raia (pictured in red), assistant director of resource develop-

ment at NJ Sharing Network, visitedmembers of the Tzu Chi InternationalMedical Association to discuss ways

the two groups can collaborate to promote organ donation awareness.

Linda and Dennis Dayback, posing in front of one of the 29 “Quilts ofLove,” visited NJ Sharing Network to share their daughter Courtney’spersonal story. Courtney passed away in 2008. Her gift of organ donation saved seven lives. The Dayback family honors Courtney’smemory each year at the 5K as part of “Team Courtney,” one of our top fundraising 5K teams.

Peter Rooney, chair of the NJ SharingNetwork Foundation Board, paid a

visit to 5K Platinum Sponsor, Novartis, to present company

representatives with a 5K banner and to say “thank you” for helping

make the 2013 5K Walk/Race the best ever. Pictured (l-r) with

Peter are Novartis Team membersKatherine Fehon and Lori Ryan.

7To see more pictures from our events, please visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.

Katty and Angel Mercado (pictured in middle) visitedNJ Sharing Network headquarters and shared themoving story of their six-week-old daughter, Melissa,who gave the life-saving gift of organ donation. Thecouple was joined by family and friends who are partof Team Butterfly, formed to honor Melissa’s memoryat our 5K Walk/Race.

Along with her family, Patti Jackson, pictured holding her daughter, Parker, honors

the memory of her other daughter, Zoe, whosedonated organs saved three lives. Smiling with Patti is her mother, Patricia Jackson,

and grandmother, Elsie Baskerville.

School nurses in the Clifton Public School District enjoyed speaking with NJ Sharing Network about the importance of organ and tissue donation duringthe district’s professional education day.

NJ Sharing Network and the NewJersey State Bar Association havebegun a partnership to supportorgan and tissue donation. Lawyersfrom around New Jersey gathered atNJ Sharing Network headquarters inOctober to network and view thestate-of-the-art laboratory, as wellas exhibits celebrating the legacyand generosity of donors.

Tracie Jean Francois (on left), a student at EastwickCollege who received the gift of sight from a cornealtransplant, and Michele Dabal, a liver transplant recipient and NJ Sharing Network volunteer, sharedtheir personal connection to organ donation and transplantation with students at Eastwick College.

The popular “Donate LifeAround The World” seriesfeatured Helen LaCarrubba,senior specialist at NJ Sharing Network, and herfurry four-legged friend, allama, displaying the powerof organ donation at scenicRocky Mountain NationalPark in Colorado. NJ Sharing Network had a blast talking with Steve Adubato (pictured in middle),

host of the award-winning “Caucus: New Jersey” show, about the life-savingbenefits of organ and tissue donation. Pictured (seated, left to right) are: John Longo, a donor family member, and E. Denise Peoples, a double lungtransplant recipient. Standing is Dorothea Duffy, who is waiting for a kidneytransplant, and Jay Arisso, Jr., manager of family services at NJ Sharing Network.

FFor Dorothea (Dede) Duffy, “The Call”could come today. Or tomorrow. Or nextmonth. Or maybe next year.

Her life is a waiting game. Three times each week she sits in a large

hospital chair, for several hours, while bloodremoved from her body is sent to a dialysismachine and then returned to her bloodstream.The process is keeping her alive as she waits fora kidney transplant and the chance for a newlife.

But she has not lost hope that she willreceive “The Call.”

“I don't believe that for the rest of my lifeI will be on dialysis,” the Lincoln Park woman

said. “I do believe someday I will finally get akidney and things will change.”

Dorothea is among the 4,054 people livingin New Jersey waiting for a kidney, according tothe latest federal data. The stakes are enor-mous. The average wait is five to seven years,while the average life expectancy for a personon kidney dialysis is just five to six years.

Dorothea never imagined she would findherself waiting for an organ transplant. In earlyJanuary, 2010, she was exceedingly healthy andworked as a graphic design manager for a majorpharmaceutical company. Then, she and herentire team were laid off when most of thecompany was relocated and restructured.

Two weeks later, Dorothea woke up withunbearable pain in her shoulders and arms. Itwas the beginning.

After being tested for numerous diseases;her physicians confirmed that her kidneys werefailing. She was eventually diagnosed withWegener's granulomatosis, an autoimmune dis-order that causes inflammation of blood vesselsand often leads to renal failure. She remainedhospitalized for more than a month and left sosick she needed to learn to walk again.

Today dialysis is part of her routine.“Your whole life revolves around those

three appointments each week. It is very impor-tant that you are on time. Everything must be

8 FALL 2013

9www.NJSharingNetwork.org

on schedule because if you are late the next per-son will start late,” she explained. “I am verycareful with my diet and levels of potassium,phosphorus, protein, and limited daily fluidintake. If a kidney becomes available, you mustbe in good health or you won't get the organ,”noted Dorothea.

Her positive attitude, as well as the supportof friends and family, keeps her hopes high evenas the months and years have passed. She staysbusy, occasionally traveling (arranging dialysisat other facilities) and volunteers through herchurch and other organizations to help others.A team of family and friends has been an incred-ible support network, joining her at the past

three NJ Sharing Network 5K fundraisers aspart of Team Dorothea.

Recently, Dorothea met at Saint BarnabasMedical Center in Livingston with Dr. Stuart R.Geffner, a transplant surgeon, and GwendolynAnderson, a Newark woman who received akidney nearly four years ago.

“Never, ever give up!” Gwendolyn said toDorothea as the two walked in the gardens out-side the hospital. “If I gave up, I wouldn’t behere today. You have to keep yourself healthy.Don't lose hope!”

Dr. Geffner, also in the gardens that after-noon, agreed. Each year, Saint Barnabas Med-ical Center performs more than 300 kidney

transplants — half of them from living donors— making it one of the busiest kidney trans-plant centers in the nation. Yet more than 1,000people remain on the medical center’s trans-plant waiting list at Saint Barnabas alone.

Dr. Geffner said he must balance the realityof the statistics with efforts to keep patientshealthy and hopeful.

“I tell my patients, ‘I have every reason tobelieve you will get a transplant at some point’,”Dr. Geffner said. “I tell them it is important tostay positive.”

Dr. Geffner referred to NJ Sharing Net-work as a partner critical to the efforts to savelives through organ transplants.

HealingHealingW A I T , H O P E ,

Two Women and the Journey They Share

10 FALL 2013

Hackensack University Medical Center(kidney, pancreas and kidney/pancreas transplants) (201) 996-2000Newark Beth Israel Medical Center(kidney, pancreas, lung and heart transplants)

(973) 926-7000Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center,Camden(kidney, liver, pancreas and kidney/pancreastransplants) (609) 757-3500

Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center, New Brunswick(kidney, pancreas, kidney/pancreas and heart transplants) (732) 828-3000Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston(kidney, pancreas and kidney/pancreas transplants) (973) 322-5000University Hospital, Newark(liver transplants) (973) 972-4300

I tell them it is important

to staypositive.“

”

New Jersey Transplant Centers

In another partnership with NJ SharingNetwork and Saint Barnabas, Dr. Geffner broad-casts living kidney transplants, on closed circuittelevision, to science students at Liberty ScienceCenter in Jersey City. Dr. Geffner exudes enthu-siasm as he discusses the unique program.

“The students at the science center see exactly what I see. They have a direct link to thesurgery. They see that we really save lives,” hesaid, adding he uses the opportunity to let thestudents know about the critical need for organand tissue donation.

One of the transplants Dr. Geffner per-

formed gave Gwendolyn a second chance at life.“Oh, I remember that day he came to my roomand he was very handsome and he was wearinga sweatshirt and sneakers,” Gwendolyn recalled.

“What day was it?” Dr. Geffner asked, won-dering about the weekend attire. (It was a Sun-day.)

“It was January 24, 2010,” Gwendolynquickly replied. “Ever since then I think of youevery day. I think of you every day and I thinkof Jackie every day,” she said.

Jackie is Jacqueline Lue Raia, whosemother Ena Lue became the organ donor who

gave Gwendolyn her much-needed kidney. Jackie, so moved by the knowledge that her

mother's generosity saved two lives, now worksfor NJ Sharing Network as assistant director ofresource development. Jackie and Gwendolynhave since developed a special bond.

Walking in the gardens, Dorothea toldGwendolyn that she celebrates each personwho receives the organ they need. Their storieshelp her stay optimistic. Gwendolyn listenedand then gently took Dorothea’s hand, provid-ing comfort and hope for the future, as theywalked together. ■

The latest number of people in New Jersey waiting for a kidney transplant

4,054

11www.NJSharingNetwork.org

MatchmakingforLife

Lab Continues to Break New Ground

I It’s 9:30 a.m. on a typical morning at NJSharing Network’s Transplant Laboratory. Theteam is intently processing blood samples ofNew Jersey residents in dire need of organ andtissue transplants.

The lab staff is quietly and without fanfareconsumed with making immunological matchesbetween donors and potential recipients. The labis looking at specific markers in blood samples,known as human leucocyte antigens (HLA).These are protein molecules that determine tis-sue compatibility for organ transplantation.

The more HLA molecules that two peopleshare, the more they are considered a goodmatch and the better the chance that the recipi-ent’s immune system will accept the new organ.

Many roadblocks exist to making the rightmatch. Often when a person is waiting for a life-saving organ, he or she undergoes blood transfu-sions and other immunological stimuli. These cangive rise to HLA antibodies that, if not evaluatedand managed, seriously hinder transplantation.

“Our job is to make sure whatever donororgan becomes available does not have HLAantigens that react with the antibodies in the recipient,” explained Dr. Prakash Rao, VicePresident, Laboratory and Research Operationsat NJ Sharing Network.

“We put together the donor and the recip-ient; basically we are eHarmonyTM for transplan-tation,” Dr. Rao said. “We are the final arbitersfor life-saving transplantation. It is here –through the work of the lab – that the life-savingtransplant gets the final ‘yea’ or ‘nay’.”

The team must have the most accurate information possible; a large television screenhangs on the lab wall, displaying a list of some20 potential donors who are current patients atNew Jersey hospitals. Their progress is closelyreviewed.

There is a close relationship between hos-pitals and NJ Sharing Network. When there isthe possibility that organs may become available,a phone call is quickly made and assessmentsbegin. Today, like all other days, has seen con-stant communication between laboratory staff,transplant coordinators and the medical teams.

The lab operates non-stop throughout theyear, 24 hours a day. Staff members rely on detailed and complex procedures that take sixto eight months to master. The latest technolo-gies are continually implemented, maximizingefficiency in the shortest amount of time.

Organs can last without oxygen for only solong. Lungs and hearts must be transplantedwithin four hours of removal from the donor.Kidneys can be transplanted several hours later,allowing for more precise and hands-on studiesof potential matches. But Dr. Rao says speed remains the critical factor in ensuring valuableorgans aren’t damaged by lack of oxygen.

Dr. Rao oversees a lab of 32 transplantexperts, who swiftly manipulate some of the lat-est gadgetry available to ascertain matches,while efficiently moving from one task to thenext. The team designed the 7,000-square-footfacility in 2009 to accommodate state-of-the-artsystems, groundbreaking research and industry-

setting agility that can secure a match in lesstime than most other labs in the world.

It is a life-and-death business, Dr. Raonotes, pointing to his desktop computer screenthat shows 120,140 people that morning on thenational waiting list for a life-saving organ.“There is a significant donor shortage in thiscountry. Perhaps it is cultural, perhaps it issocio-economic, perhaps it is because of a lackof education,” he said. “But there are many sickpeople in America desperate for a transplant.”

With such a great need for organs, a grow-ing number of transplant centers are moving toward living donors of kidneys. Dr. Rao saidhis lab has to work quickly to ascertain an immunological match between recipients andliving donors.

The Ongoing Battle Against Antibodies

Lab staff members spend their days conducting “antibody audits” to learn to what degree patients have become sensitized with antibodies from various sources of blood andother immunologic stimuli.

The lab is currently working with about3,000 patients waiting for organs; about 1,800patient files are worked on each month. Patients’ blood is taken once a month for anti-body testing. The lab is able to gauge and meas-ure how antibodies wax and wane in the blood,creating a roadmap for the lab personnel andtransplant team when it becomes time to securea match.

Dr. Prakash Rao (on left), head of NJ Sharing Network’s state-of-the-art lab, with senior specialists Helen LaCarrubba and Dennis Miguel.

12

Dr. Rao said the lab conducts about 170tests a day for HLA typing, for antibodies, forcross matches and for blood group testing. Hesaid the lab has a staff retention rate of 85-90percent, with many long-term employees whoknow his system and high expectations.

Sometimes, the lab makes unlikely trans-plants happen. In the last three years, Dr. Raosaid, his lab has been able to facilitate about 50transplants of highly sensitized people, whowere likely sensitized through blood transfu-sions, pregnancies, infections or prior trans-plants. At another lab, where the technology islikely limited, and the expertise not evident,these transplants might not have happened.

“But we are not the big heroes in thisstory,” Dr. Rao said. “It is the donors and thedonor families who have the courage to havetheir loved ones’ organs and tissue live in some-one else. There are not enough words in theEnglish language to voice our respect for theseindividuals.”

Dr. Rao said all information from the lab isshared with the United Network for OrganSharing (UNOS), the private, non-profit organ-ization that manages the U.S. organ transplantsystem and the online database that collects,stores and analyzes all data pertaining to patientwaiting lists, organ matching and transplants.UNOS makes the determination about whereorgans will be sent.

The NJ Sharing Network transplant labalso shares the HLA profiles with transplantteams to conduct virtual cross-matches whentime does not allow for full lab analysis. Frominformation gleaned during the lab’s antibody

audits, rather than physical analysis of thedonor’s blood, doctors can make an educatedguess if there will be a good match between arecipient and a donor for hearts and lungs during the four-hour window. These results arealways confirmed with a cross-match following

transplantation.For kidneys, the lab has up to 24 hours

to make a match and coordinate a trans-plant. It is a tremendous luxury to have the time to be able to do physical cross-matching at NJ Sharing Network’s lab.Because of time constraints, cross-matches for liver, heart and lung trans-plants are performed retrospectively, assoon as possible following the transplant.

“We take the donor cells, whichhave their own HLA profiles, and wetake the recipient’s blood, which may or may not have antibodies, and wehave them sit together for four hours,”Dr. Rao said. “From there, we can tellif there is compatibility.”

“If antibodies present in a patient’sblood are not conducive to a successful trans-plant, we get a positive cross match,” he said.“In this case, a negative cross match is what wewant, meaning that even if the recipient hasantibodies, the transplant can happen with minimal risk.”

The lab has become so highly sophisticatedthat it can facilitate a transplant even with a positive cross match. Studying the antibody profiles, the team can suggest the right medica-tion to control the immune response and makeit possible for a body to accept the organ.

Groundbreaking ResearchAnother key component of the lab is

research, in efforts to make the process moreefficient and to save more lives. Dr. Rao said hislab has reached a landmark moment: applyingfor a patent that will reduce the amount of timerequired to do a cross-match. Funding for theresearch initiative to obtain the preliminary datafor the patent application was provided by theNJ Sharing Network Foundation.

NJ Sharing Network promises to have itscross-matching completed for kidneys and liverswithin eight hours, but typically has the testresults available within 5½ hours. Dr. Rao saida procedure being patented shaves another 90minutes off cross-matching, adding he believesthe lab can ultimately have the results within 3½hours under the new patented procedure.

“If we can succeed, we can shrink the timewindow to the point where we can theoreticallydo prospective cross-matches for livers, heartsand lungs, rather than relying on virtual crossmatches,” Dr. Rao said. “This would greatlyminimize the amount of rejection.”

In other research, the lab is looking at waysto increase kidney donation. Dr. Rao said that18 percent of donated kidneys are not beingused for a variety of reasons. The lab is nowexploring specific beacons, or markers, withinthe cells of a kidney to predict if it has beeninjured during the preservation process andwould likely fail if transplanted. From there,steps can be taken to save the organ.

“The percentage of kidneys not being usedwould be a thing of the past if we can get thesemarkers functioning,” Dr. Rao said. “We wouldbe able to predict the state of the donor organ’spathology very early into the process. It wouldbe a heads-up to avoid primary non-functionand ultimate rejection.”

Another project at the lab focuses on sensitization and creation of new antibodies.Dr. Rao pointed to six genes that appear to fore-tell if a patient is likely to develop antibodiesquickly. The lab would like to take advantage ofthese genes, using the information to informtransplant surgeons if a patient has a higherchance of organ rejection.

“If the transplant surgeons know there is agreater chance the patient may be sensitizedquickly, they can begin the prevention processquickly,” Dr. Rao said. “If you do preemptivedesensitization, a kidney patient may get quicklytransplanted and not need to be on dialysis.”

Dr. Rao said there is enough data to support the six-gene program, and he is lookingto collaborate with others in the transplantcommunity to make it a standard practice, aspart of personalized transplant medicine.

“We work in a field of mines that can’t beremoved,” Dr. Rao said. “My team’s job is toguide the transplant physician through theminefield. But when you have an accepted factthat 90 percent or more of the organs will nothave an identical match, we need to anticipatethe mines whenever possible to save lives.

“My team is incredible; they guide thesefolks through an extremely complex field, usingknowledge and expertise to make a successfultransplant happen,” he added. “I am extremelyproud of what we have built at NJ Sharing Network.” ■

Prakash Rao, PhD, MBA, FACHE, HCLDVice President, Laboratory and Research Operations

13

More photos from the Golf & Tennis Classic

can be found at www.NJSharingNetwork.org.

EVENT COMMITTEELenore C. Ford, Co-ChairLisa Meyers, Co-ChairAlida Sandoval, Event Coordinator

Donna Albanese-DeMairAlberta D’AddioElisse E. GlennonPhilip S. Kolm

Barry NewmanPeter RooneyJoseph S. Roth

2013 ANNUAL FUNDIn Memory of Michael Abt

Mrs. Helen AbtIn Support of Donna Albanese

Stuart and Randi GeffnerIn Memory of Mervin R. Baxter

Ms. Natalie LubinskyIn Memory of Steve Ben’Ary

Glen and Mimi BrownMrs. Mary Brown

In Memory of Brian BernsteinMichael A. Giuliano, MD

In Memory of George BodinHelen and Arthur CollardMrs. Helen A. CollardFrom the Ridgewood High

School Science DepartmentCornel and Catherine DiaconuMs. Alice FisherTaryn FisherGregory and Maria GuseteluEric and Meredith JosephMs. Elizabeth KaranDennis and Bette KarolyMarie KashammerNew York Medical CollegeMs. Jean P. NoonMr. and Mrs. James K. Schaefer

In Memory of Robin BogushAnonymous

In Memory of Michael BraunMs. Mary Cronan

In Memory of Evelyn BuddleMr. Steve CissellMs. Amy Beth DambeckMr. and Mrs. Marty DambeckDr. Michael DambeckMrs. Suzanne J. DambeckMrs. Sharon KubuDr. and Mrs. Anthony PetrosiniMs. Michele Pianezza

In Memory of Michael BuroPeter and Mary DiehlMrs. Ronni LeoMr. Rich Meyer

In Memory of Joe BusichioMrs. Tara De Angelis

In Memory of Garrett ButtelMr. and Mrs. Wilfred A.

Billinghurst, Jr.Ms. Rosemarie Hampp

In Memory of Nicole CarusoFrank and Evelyn Ross

In Memory of Elizabeth CaseyMs. Eve CaseyMs. Phyllis CaseyMr. Stephen ForteDonald SeathMs. Trisha SeathRita D. SolimeneRonald and Betty SpilmanMr. and Mrs. Nicholas Vitovitch

In Honor of Walter CockcroftMr. and Mrs. John HilpertJoseph and Dorothy Kerr

In Memory of Kenneth CohenAngus and Mary Stuart Gephart

In Memory of David WilliamCompton

Ms. A. Sandra AbramsonLisa and Rodney BayardMr. Daniel C. BigelowElaine and Alan Braslow

Ms. Kathleen BurtAudrey N. Cannon with McKean

Defense GroupAmy S. Chernela with McKean

Defense GroupMr. Francis J. CifoneNeil Cohen and Debie Weissbach Ms. Suzanne ColeMr. Bruce Compton and Ms. Mary

Anne HinesMaureen and William ComptonMelissa E. Csontos with McKean

Defense GroupMs. Maria P. De MasiMrs. Eileen M. DuffeyRobert H. Fink Family FundRichard E. Fini with McKean

Defense GroupRichard and Linda FitchMr. Andrew A. GaanoGerry and Pat GeistlerJoyce Gravina and Jerry WilliamsS. Kado with McKean Defense

GroupMs. Pamela KeetingMs. Carole A. KelleyDan and Debbie KitzMark and Cheryl LackovicThe Mahoney FamilyTom and Ann McCarthyKenneth and Wanda McJlvaineMcKean Defense GroupThe Pew Charitable TrustBill Rush and Geraldine PirolloHank and Ellen RenardMs. Mariangela RushMr. and Mrs. Fredrick SadowMr. and Mrs. Raymond SekulaMarc and Maribeth SheridanMs. Bernadene StragerMaurin B. Walchak with McKean

Defense GroupThe WennbergsJerry Williams and Joyce Gravina

In Memory of Ronald ConboyMs. Adrienne Compa

In Memory of John C. ConsolagioMrs. Irene Consolagio

In Memory of Richard DeFilippisMs. Kathleen G. DeFilippis

In Memory of Frank P. Dell’Aquila,MD

Mrs. Geraldine A. Dell’AquilaDr. Frank P. Dell’Aquila

In Memory of Judi Melillo-DethloffMary and Frank Melillo

In Memory of Robbie DillonMrs. Corinne F. Dillon

In Memory of Seymour DipkInDebby and Elliott BardavidMrs. Debbie PrinceMitchel and Debbie Prince

In Memory of William M. DonnellyMs. Linda Ialacci

In Memory of Brian DotsonPat and Jack Dotson

In Memory of Brandon DowlerMs. Robynne AdoffMs. Cindy BornsteinMs. Jillian E. CasamoFamily and Friends of Brandon

DowlerMs. Christina Ferrentino

Cheryl and Stephen GaudetteMr. and Mrs. David GreensteinMs. Michelle A. KwintnerMr. and Mrs. Michael J. LindermanMr. Matthew LongobardiMs. Carole MelroseMr. Michael P. O’ConnorDino and Janet RobustoMrs. Janet RobustoMr. Geovanni Rocha J. and

Ms. Ashley M. SchrammMs. Michelle ShenMs. Marcy SpiegelmanMs. Cynthia ValentineMs. Gina Venticinque

In Memory of Kenneth E. ElslagerThomas and Susan CuozzoMr. Walter ElmsMichael and Joan FasanoFreehold Sting Blue Soccer TeamPasquale and Carmela GrazianoHarris, Hardy & Johnstone, P.C.

Certified Public AccountantsJoe and Arline LombardiMs. Lydia E. MirandaMrs. Susan Ormsby-CuozzoMr. and Mrs. James PettoMs. Phyllis ShawTrollbeads United States

Operating AccountRobert and Donna Zeoli

In Memory of Ryan A. EngelkeMr. William Ryan

In Memory of Giuseppe EspositoMs. Jennifer Manheim

In Honor of Matt FelixNancy and Mark Felix

In Memory of Michael Storm FischerThe Fischer FamilyCharles and Patricia KerschnerMarie E. LoeperThe MillersPennsylvania College of

TechnologyMs. Nancy L. SmithAndrea and Thomas SmithThomson Reuter Matching Gifts

ProgramLauren and Eric Turgeon

In Memory of Jenny ForteMr. and Mrs. James G. Scala

In Memory of Kellyan FredaMr. Anthony DeSantisMr. and Mrs. Chris Donnelly

In Memory of James H. FriarMrs. Jane Derickson-FriarJames H. Friar

In Memory of Gary GallagherMs. Dianne Conley

In Memory of Antonio GasparroMs. Terri B. BerlinMr. Siddharth DandMr. and Mrs. Robert D’AngeloThomas and Tiffany Fields

and FamilyJames and Eva HughesMr. Michael KeeterMr. and Mrs. Paul KurivchackMs. Denise PatrickJohn and Christine PinneroSteven and Frances SwinkMs. Abbe Szanger

The Sunshine Committee of the Midland School

Frank and Carmella VowinkelIn Memory of Jamie Geib

Ms. Barbara HutterIn Memory of Randall Marc Giles

AnonymousIn Memory of Robert Goarcke

Mr. Carl J. GoarckeIn Memory of Willy Gorbey

Ms. Krista YostIn Memory of Virginia Gottlieb

Ms. Micaela AckerJoseph and Bonnie BraunMs. Claire CerameMs. Cecelia DonovanMr. Francis X. Donovan, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Michael DonovanF29 Lighthouse Driverank

AccarrinoMs. Marie R. HannaJames and Kathleen HansenMs. Rosemarie HeroldMr. and Mrs. Amir LauberLighthouse Bay Recreation

AssociationMs. Kathleen McConnellMichael and MaryEllen MehlerMiddletown Police Dept Records

BureauMs. Catherine A. SaproniSisters of Saint Joseph Queen of

Peace ConventKenneth and Barbara TobinMr. and Mrs. Richard Wack

In Memory of Justin GrantMr. Brian McCarthy

In Memory of Christopher Hendershot

Distributed Technical Svcs, Rutgers University Libraries

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond L. HitchnerIn Memory of Jane Hillier

Mr. George HillierIn Memory of Louise and Tom Hoffman

Ms. Louise MurrayIn Memory of Thomas S. Iozia

Mr. and Mrs. William E. Merson, III

In Memory of Andrew JovaWilliam and Judith Propert

In Memory of Lisa LaBella-KellyMr. Robert BashDr. Gary BermanMr. Vinnie CapadannoMs. Mary GeeMario and Kelly LaBella and FamilyMario and Sandra LabellaMr. Cesare MondelloMr. Michael Mondello

In Memory of Brian KernMr. Daniel Kern

In Memory of Brian KollerMs. Nora Koller

In Memory of David KornasDavid KornasMrs. Kathleen Kornas

In Honor of Alice KramerMs. Patricia Dimaio

In Memory of Lois KuckerMs. Amanda Lawless

In Memory of Jonathon KuzminskiMr. and Mrs. Frank Latoracca

In Memory of Evan Charles LaibleMr. and Mrs. Charles CatalanoMrs. Mae CatalanoMs. Christine GagenThe Laible FamilyDominique, Natalia and Elaina

VoitekIn Memory of Robert Lamont

Mrs. Linda BurkertLinda and Roger BurkertMs. Michelle L. Dudas and

Ms. Bonnie L. HornerMs. Cynthia L. GalagerMs. Donna L. MarshMs. Jane PrattMrs. Carol Spisak

In Memory of Holly Beth LarsenMs. Patricia BreenMs. Alyssa N. D’AddioMary Ann and John DaudtMrs. Carol EricksonNeil and Carol EricksonMs. Margaret FallonMs. Palma M. GenoveseMs. Nancy Greenblatt

14 FALL 2013

Honoring those who gave, paying tribute to those who received, offering hope to those who continue to wait, and remembering those lives lost while waiting for

15www.NJSharingNetwork.org

We graciously acknowledge gifts made to the NJ Sharing NetworkFoundation’s Annual Fund, January 1 – June 30, 2013Individual gifts made through our fundraising events are acknowledged online throughout the year. We sincerely regret any errors or omissions.

James and Margaret HoltBasil and Jane KioMr. Bart Krusman and

Ms. Trisha J. KrusmanMs. Ruth LarsenMr. and Mrs. Peter LeoneMs. Mary E. McGlynnMr. Arthur MortensenMs. Ann Marie NapoolitanMr. John L. O’MeallyMs. Christine PomeranzMr. David RankertMs. RoseMarie RossiMs. Janet SharlunBeverly SolochekMs. Arlene TrunzoJosephine VargasDr. Daniel WilhoftMr. John P. Wolff

In Memory of Rebecca “Becky”Larsen

Ms. Patricia BreenMs. Palma M. GenoveseMr. Bart Krusman and

Ms. Trisha J. KrusmanMs. Janet Sharlun

In Honor of Harris LeventhalDr. Rachel Leventhal-Weiner

In Memory of Chuck LevyFrank and Cathy Hardalo

In Memory of Velma Landers LindseyMs. Elaine Kissil

In Honor of Mark LubeckBob and Robin Rabinowitz

In Memory of Dr. Robert MandellMrs. Susan MandellOppenheim Plastics Company,Inc

In Memory of Mark J. MarroccoMr. Edward S. Pericoloso

In Honor of Laura MarrolliBurlington County School Nurse

Assoc.In Memory of Arturo Marrufo

Mrs. Anne CohenAnne and Barry CohenMs. Ellen EssigJoseph and Debra FlemingRobert and Margaret HelmMs. Samantha JohnstonGeorge and Trudy MazinDr. and Mrs. Daniel PelchovitzDr. Jordan Pelchovitz DDSMs. Nancy Polow and

Ms. Lisa GrossMichael and Lillian RothenhausMrs. Brett SternT.J. Martell FoundationMs. Heidi Witschi

In Memory of Roseann McClureMr. Kevin MulqueenNew York Life Insurance Company

In Memory of Clyde McCouchBob and Jayne Sharpless

In Memory of Stanley McGinleyMs. Theresa M. McGinley

In Memory of Keith McLaughlinMrs. Mary P. McLaughlin

In Memory of Michael “Mick”Meritz

Alliance BernsteinMr. Christopher LaFontaine

In Memory of Madeline “Maddie” Midwinter

Ms. Michele BornsteinMs. Stephanie CarlsonEleanor and Richard HaughMr. Kalle HousemanBev and Fred KoblentzMs. Elizabeth Lovejoy

In Memory of Maryann MontanoMr. and Mrs. Eugene LongoMrs. Terry Longo

In Honor of Ben NachsinMr. Jonas Nachsin

In Memory of Terence NeilanMr. and Mrs. James G. Scala

In Memory of Miklos NemethMr. Thomas McConnell

In Memory of Betsy NilesMr. Nicholas AscheimExxonMobil FoundationSarnowski Family Foundation

In Memory of Shaun T. O'BrienThe Durand FamilyThe Kuczmarski Family

In Memory of Thomas “Tommy”O’Neill

Mr. Larry CohenLarry and Judy Cohen

Foundation, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Bob McCarthyMr. and Mrs. Andrew NestlerMrs. Sally E. O’NeillTom P. O’Neill

In Memory of Jeff OrrMrs. Virginia Orr

In Support of E. Denise PeoplesDr. and Mrs. Lawrence Plotkin

In Memory of Lucille PepeMs. Anna AliceaCA Technologies Matching Gifts

ProgramMs. Deborah CollinsMs. Gloria CorcioneMrs. Beth CrimminsMs. Louise RozaieskiDeborah Collins and Salvatore

StaianoMr. and Mrs. Adam Yenish

In Memory of Roberto DeJesusPerez

Ms. Frances D. GuardascioneMr. and Mrs. Max Lado

In Memory of Jerri RandMr. Jules Rand

In Memory of Dr. FortunataRaniero

Mr. and Mrs. James G. ScalaIn Honor of William Reitsma

Lions Eye Bank of New JerseyIn Memory of Maria Rey deAmbros

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth AmbrosIn Memory of Anthony Rizzo

AnonymousIn Memory of Robert Roettger

Ms. Carol A. RoettgerIn Memory of Arlene Rosenfeld

Mrs. Camille MarinoMr. and Mrs. Dominick Marino

In Honor of Joseph S. RothAlan and Gaye FeinbergFrank GarciaMs. Kimberly HannaMr. Frederick HepperSandy and Arleen LipsmanAnonymousMr. and Mrs. Steven RothDr. and Mrs. Jay SklowerMs. Helen Van NessDr. and Mrs. Herman Waldman

In Memory of Nicos SavvaMs. Barbara Uriarte

In Memory of Kimberly Marie Schaffran

Mr. Emanuel AsmarMrs. Susan CarboniMs. Nicole ColombinoRotuba Extruders,InCMs. Frances FrancoMrs. Elise GoldbatMr. and Mrs. David HealyMr. Steven HirshMs. Susan LargmanMs. Anna LascurainMr. Kenneth L. MacRitchieMr. James J. MaglioneMs. Janet MahoneyMs. Angela McWilliamsMr. Ralph MuratNational Metal Finishings Corp., Inc.Angela Zappia

In Memory of Danielle SchrenkA.G. Development and Marine,

LLC.Frank and Jennifer CinelliMrs. Jennifer CinelliMs. Donna M. DoremusBlanche and Paula EllisIronclad Services, Inc.Jeresy Shore Recycling LLCCarol Jones, o/b/o LAPOMr. and Mrs. Rene LaureynsMills Heating and

Air Conditioning LLCOcean Plumbing and Heating, Inc.Precision Auto and Motorcycle

ServiceMr. Robert StanleyMrs. Cathy Staszczyk

In Memory of Conor ScottMrs. Karen Parnham

In Memory of Susan SherMs. Amanda N. Abramo

In Memory of Gerard SigtermansMs. Susan L. McGovernMr. Arthur StraussMr. and Mrs. Fred P. Summer, Jr.

In Memory of Sharon SlipekDr. Deborah D. Fisch

In Memory of Jo Anne SmithMrs. Phyllis CrumpJohn and Carolyn CuretonMs. Dorothy FlynnNaomi and Owen HindsMs. Arlene InglisMrs. Claire KissilClaire and Don KissilMs. Virginia M. LyttleMs. Dorothea McDonoughMr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Myers

Ann and Alfred RoseDr. and Mrs. Arthur S. Verdesca

In Memory of Ryan J. SprusanskyMs. Kathleen DeFilippis and Family

In Support Of Elizabeth StamlerNYSE EuronextMr. Thomas Sloan

In Memory of Carol Sue SteadmanMr. Bruce AremanMs. Deborah BelloMr. and Mrs. Jim CafoneLouis and Linda CoppaSpyros and Athena

DemetropoulosMrs. Alicia deTorresMr. and Mrs. William R. FairMr. Michael GinderMrs. Benay IrwinMrs. Artemis KinzerEric and Artemis KinzerKathryn MillerMr. Robert W. MontgomeryMrs. Kathleen NagurkaMr. and Mrs. Christian SaundersMr. Raymond Stowell Anonymous

In Memory of Carol Sue SteadmanTAG Worldwide USAIncMrs. Julie TrunleyMr. and Mrs. Ron Zier

In Memory of Sue SternMr. Jeffrey Isaacs

In Memory of Robert TopchikMr. and Mrs. Kurt FischerJoseph and Lori Roth

In Memory of James TraisterMr. Steven AlwineDr. and Mrs. Todd J. CoopermanMs. Lori FlemingMs. Irene Nordskog

In Memory of Hedwig TuckerMs. Anna H. Yanuklis

In Honor of Barbara TurciMercer County School Nurses

AssociationIn Honor of UMDNJ Liver Trans-plant Support Group

Michael and Camellia NazmyIn Memory of Kelly Vasile

Ms. Barbara OchsIn Memory of Michael Voltolina

Mrs. Cheryl PressIn Memory of Lenny Watson, Jr.

Mrs. Lydia WatsonIn Memory of Leonard Watson, Sr.

Mrs. Lydia WatsonIn Memory of Benjamin Wittich

Ms. Dawn MilesIn Honor of Marcia Wolf

Mr. and Mrs. Richard EngmanIn Memory of Sylvia Wolfe

Neil and Gale BarnettEmmett and Annette GummMs. Janice KirschwingMs. Alice OsurUnited South County Democratic

ClubIn Memory of Lee Michael Zerman

Mr. David A. Zerman

Honoring those who gave, paying tribute to those who received, offering hope to those who continue to wait, and remembering those lives lost while waiting for the gift of life.

Get Involved and Make a Life-Saving DifferenceYou can help support our life-saving mission. Please consider the following:

• Participate in our annual 5K Walk/Race and Annual Golf Classic• Become a Certified Volunteer Ambassador• Purchase an ‘Organ Donors Save Lives’ license plate at your

local Motor Vehicle Agency• Register to become an organ and tissue donor at

www.NJSharingNetwork.org• Enroll in an employee payroll contribution program and

designate the NJ Sharing Network Foundation as your charity of choice

• Request a matching gift form from your employer• Remember us in your will with a bequest• Host a fundraising event on behalf of the NJ Sharing

Network Foundation• Make a tax-deductible financial contribution to the NJ Sharing

Network Foundation by visiting www.NJSharingNetwork.org or by mailing your gift to NJ Sharing Network Foundation,691 Central Ave., New Providence, NJ 07974

For more information on the above, please call or email PamDeLuca at 908-516-5696 or pdeluca@njsharingnetwork.org.

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. PostagePAID

Union, NJPermit No. 931

691 Central AvenueNew Providence, NJ 079741-800-742-7365 • 908-516-5400

SAVE THE DATEApril 12, 2014Volunteer ConferenceRenaissance HotelWoodbridge, NJ

June 8, 20144th Annual 5K Walk/RaceNJ Sharing Network HQNew Providence, NJ

July 11-15, 2014Transplant GamesHouston, TX

Like us at facebook.com/njsharingnetwork

Join the conversation aboutthe power of donation!

Follow us on twitter @ njsharing

NJ Sharing Network is now on Instagram! Follow us @NJSharingNetwork for daily pictures and updates!

NJ Sharing Network is a member of Community Health Charities of NJwww.NJSharingNetwork.org

If you no longer wish to receive information from NJ Sharing Network, please call 908-516-5400.

Day in the Life – Katie StrusiakKatie Strusiak

is quick to smilewhen asked abouther typical day as ahospital servicesmanager for NJSharing Network.

Since she joined the organization as one of sevenhospital services managers led by Jan Hines in May,2012, Strusiak says, no two days have been alike. Sheservices 15 hospitals in Monmouth, Ocean and Mercercounties, where she spends her days meeting withphysicians, nurses and staff, educating them about theimportance of organ and tissue donation.

One morning she may be making a presentationto physicians before driving to various hospitals to meet

with key hospital contacts for case debriefings or toreview hospital data ensuring best practices are inplace. From there, she may be called to a hospital where a donation is underway, serving as a familiar,comforting face and ensuring a smooth process.

“Less than one percent of the people who die inhospitals can become organ donors,” Strusiak says. “Myjob is to ensure that physicians and nurses are keenlyaware of the rarity of this gift. If they don’t call us, afamily may miss the opportunity to donate. My job, dayin and day out, is to ensure they make the call.”

Strusiak also looks for ways in which hospitalscan honor donor families, such as hosting remem-brance ceremonies or having hospitals raise “DonateLife” flags when someone has donated an organ. She also helps with special programs at individual

hospitals, such as Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where a garden adorned with thenames of donors was established.

Strusiak says her work with NJ Sharing Networkis not a job, but a lifetime mission to connect peoplewith life-saving organs and tissue. Her journey beganSept. 12, 2007, when she received a call at college that there was a potential match for her father,Michael, who then underwent a kidney and pancreastransplant.

His donor was 19-year-old Kristen. “I was soeager to be part of NJ Sharing Network so I can spendevery day of my life telling the story of Kristen and howshe saved my father’s life,” Strusiak said. “She haschanged me forever.”

WHO WE ARENJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally designated organ procurement organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue forthe nearly 5,000 New Jersey residents currently awaiting transplantation, and is part of the national recovery system, which is in place for themore than 120,000 people on waiting lists.