On Sunday June 5th, I attended the NJ Sharing Network's Celebration of Life 5k. It was cloudy, raining, and extremely humid. This type of weather would discourage anyone from attending an all-day outdoor event. However, despite the odds and regardless of the weather, the attendees were all ones with stories and with purposes, choosing to be there to celebrate the greatest gift of all: life. With thousands of people come thousands of stories. Each story as unique and important as the last. I had the pleasure of meeting two organ recipients, Michael Strusiak and Joe DiSanto, who humbled me beyond belief.

"But if it weren't for this young girl, I wouldn't be here." Mr. Strusiak said to me as he led me to Kristen O'Hara's quilt square displaying her graduation picture, tassel, jersey number, and the first medal won by Team Liberty at the Transplant Games in Kristen O'Hara's honor. Michael Strusiak is just one of many Team Liberty members whose goal is "to promote the success of organ transplantation, to raise awareness for the urgent need of organ and tissue donation." He began with his story telling me of his three year dialysis treatment and struggles with cancer. However, his story led to her story which, in his mind, is the most important one of all. "I got a transplant nine years ago. It was a kidney pancreas transplant. That night, I woke up, no diabetes, no cancer, and I could eat or drink anything all because of Kristen Theresa O'Hara."

He explained that, without her, his life would have stopped. He wouldn't have been able to walk his daughters down the aisle or meet his grandchildren. Six months after his transplant, he wanted to contact Kristen O'Hara's family. Within a year, he had met her whole family. He described it as something that he "had" to do. "I'll never be able to meet this young lady, I'll never be able to say thank you. I keep her alive by doing things for her."

"Four or five hearts came in that weren't matches. Finally, on July 8th 2006, I was given a second chance at life." These were chilling words said by Joe DiSanto as he told me his story. "My donor saved my life and the lives of four or five other people. I am thankful every day for the gift that she gave me." Joe was eleven when he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, which is an enlarged heart. Ten months after his diagnosis, he went into cardiac arrest and was put on a bivad, which would keep him alive until he was ready for the transplant.

"My family and I, we knew we wanted to get involved and to give back because we had been given such an incredible gift." With the help of the Sharing Network, he was able to meet his donor family, describing it as an incredible experience and extremely emotional. He went on to say that the meeting "brought everything full circle and showed us that there are people behind everything and this mother lost her daughter. It was an important day for us." Joe, a member of Team Liberty and a volunteer with the Sharing Network, works hard to help the organ and tissue donation awareness gain traction and steam.

These two men were humbled by the generosity of others, taking it upon themselves to continue the kindness of those who saved their lives. Both men, from two vastly different walks of life, hold a common goal of raising awareness of organ and tissue donation. They shared their stories with me to honor the gift that their donors' gave them.

I challenge you to share their stories, to honor Kristen, Natalie, and all the other thousands of donors who gave the gift of life to people like Michael and Joe.

Sign up to be an organ donor here: http://www.organdonor.gov/becomingdonor/stateregis...