NJ Sharing Network: 2019 Transplant Games

The Transplant Games of America are coming to New Jersey!

HONOR the JOURNEY • JULY 17-22, 2020

“My donor gave me the greatest gift you can possibly give. I can’t wait to celebrate the gift of life at the upcoming Games!”

— Sam Prince, age 16, Heart Recipient and Transplant Games Competitor

More Inside! 2020 Schedule, Venues and Stories

Mark Your Calendars!

OPENING CEREMONIES SATURDAY, JULY 18, 7pm AT THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK Help us “rock the arena” and fill the seats as we light the torch to kick off the Games. Cheer on our competitors from all 50 states and beyond. Tickets are required to enter the arena but are being provided for free thanks to our generous sponsors.

TGA VILLAGE FRIDAY, JULY 17 TO WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 AT AMERICAN DREAM Our TGA Village at American Dream will be open all week during the Games. Access is free to all registered attendees, and visitors are welcome to stop in to learn more about the Games, meet our competitors, and hear from our generous sponsors.

TGA 5K RUN/WALK SATURDAY, JULY 18 AT METLIFE STADIUM The TGA 5K Run/Walk is an event for everyone. Organ, tissue, cornea and bone marrow recipients, living donors, donor families, community supporters, and general public participation is encouraged and welcomed.

DONOR TRIBUTE SUNDAY, JULY 19 AT NJ PERFORMING ARTS CENTER The Donor Tribute is a beautiful ceremony honoring those who have selflessly given the gift of life to so many.

CLOSING CEREMONIES WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 AT AMERICAN DREAM Be a part of our final awards ceremony at the brand-new American Dream complex and celebrate with our competitors on this last night of the Games.

OTHER GREAT EVENTS & ACTIVITIES The Transplant Games of America offers a six-day festival with activities and attractions for anyone and everyone! Other great events this week include the Welcome Reception, where competitors, volunteers, and families can meet one another ahead of the start of the Games. Our Living Donor Celebration honors the heroes who courageously saved the lives of family, friends and even sometimes, complete strangers. You can also join us all week for a variety of Workshops & Interactive Programs where we’ll share the latest information on organ donation and transplantation.

Support TEAM LIBERTY Team Liberty is made up of organ, tissue, cornea and bone marrow recipients, living donors, donor families, their friends and family, and healthcare professionals from New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

They come together for the Transplant Games of America, as well as year round, to promote the success of transplantation, to raise awareness for the urgent need for organ and tissue donation, and to honor donors and their families who have so generously given the gift of life. Whether you want to compete or cheer, Team Liberty would love to welcome you into their growing family of 500+ team members!

LEARN MORE: Join us at one of our New Jersey information sessions.

To find an event near you, visit: www.NJSharingNetwork.org/TGA. We are always adding new locations and dates, so if you don’t see an event near you, check back soon!

COMPETITIONS: Come and cheer on the athletes of Team Liberty at the following competition venues:

AMERICAN DREAM - East Rutherford

TGA Village, Live! From The TGA, Ballroom Dancing, Lyrics For Life, Texas Hold’em, Youth Olympiad, Trivia, Cornhole, Darts

MEADOWLANDS EXPO CENTER - Secaucus

Basketball, Volleyball, Pickleball, Badminton

METLIFE STADIUM - East Rutherford

Cycling Events, 5K Run/Walk

BERKELEY AQUATIC CLUB - New Providence

Swimming

GALLOPING HILL GOLF COURSE - Kenilworth

Golf

RIGGIN MEMORIAL FIELD - East Rutherford

Track & Field

HUDSON LANES - Jersey City

Bowling

BROOKDALE PARK - Montclair

Tennis

STAY IN THE LOOP To see a full schedule of dates and times for events and competitions, download our TGA App, subscribe to our monthly newsletter (http://www.transplantgamesofamerica.org/enewsletter.html), or visit our NJSN Website ( www.NJSharingNetwork.org/TGA).

Participant Spotlight My donor gave me the greatest gift you can possibly give.

I can’t wait to celebrate the gift of life at the upcoming Games!

— Sam Prince, age 16, Heart Recipient and Transplant Games Competitor

SAM PRINCE Sam was born with multiple congenital heart defects that kept him from participating in the usual joys of childhood. He spent time in isolation because of a weak immune system. He desperately needed a new heart. Thankfully, at age 8, Sam, a North Caldwell resident, received a life-saving heart transplant.

“It was a fabulous gift. It saved my life,” Sam says.

There will be no better platform for spreading awareness and sharing Sam’s story than at the 2020 Donate Life Transplant Games, where Sam and many other heart and organ recipients will come together to compete and show the world how powerful the gift of life can be.

TRANSPLANT GAMES OF AMERICA MISSION STATEMENT To increase awareness of the life-restoring importance of organ, cornea, bone marrow, and tissue donation through the lives of the athlete-recipients and the lasting legacy of their donors.

To involve the entire transplant community—healthcare providers, recipients, donors, donor families, individuals awaiting transplantation, recovery agencies, and other related organizations—in a shared mission to highlight the benefits of donation.

To increase the number of individuals registering as donor candidates, state-by-state, and on the National Donate Life Registry by supporting existing campaigns, and harnessing the energy and drive of recipients through the Transplant Games events, partnerships, marketing, and related communications.

Mike Strusiak Mike Strusiak, the recipient of a kidney and pancreas transplant in 2007, is now 62 and has participated in the Transplant Games of America since 2008. As co-manager of Team Liberty, he has won medals in golf, basketball, ballroom dancing and bocce.

This summer, Mike and his new bride, Lisa Colasurdo, will hit the ballroom floor once again as they compete in their second Transplant Games together.

“ I hope the Transplant Games coming to NJ in 2020 will bring more awareness to the tri-state area and get people to register as organ and tissue donors,” Strusiak says, “and, as a result, save more lives.”

Janice McNamara & Janice Campbell In 2013, Janice Cambell and Janice McNamara became friends through a unique and special bond. A fatal accident that claimed the life of Campbell‘s daughter suddenly gave life to someone in need. After her double-lung transplant, Janice and Janice became best friends and are close enough today that they consider each other family.

Next summer, the “Janices” will participate together on Team Liberty at the 2020 Donate Life Transplant Games right here in New Jersey. The Games will have a competition division for donor families, so that families like the Campbells and the McNamaras can celebrate new life and pay tribute to those who made it possible.

“ My transplant saved my life. We now participate in the Games to honor my donor, Jamila, and her decision to help others.”

Your generous support will help make more stories like this possible, elevating donation and transplantation awareness on the largest stage we’ve ever had!

Help promote the donor registry by sharing this link: RegisterMe.org/TGA

The Countdown Has Begun!

On July 18, 2019, we announced details and preparations for the 2020 Games, marking the one-year countdown until the Opening Ceremonies. This standing-room-only event included media, corporate sponsors, Team Liberty representatives as well as many from the donation community.

We look forward to partnering with the Transplant Games and NJ Sharing Network and all of the sponsors in spreading the word and raising awareness of this unbelievable lifesaving mission. Together let’s dream and make the 2020 Games the most successful yet.

— Debbie Patire, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, American Dream

The countdown is on. We are extremely honored and proud to be a partner of the 2020 Games and excited that we are now less than a year away.

Now, as we prepare to welcome thousands of participants and families over the next several months, our sponsors and contributors are playing a big role in helping NJ create the most impactful and most memorable Transplant Games ever.

— Jim Kirkos, President and CEO of Meadowlands Regional Chamber

vents like these are great examples of how E partnerships can work together, not just to educate our community, but to drive local engagement.

This is a monumental event and Newark couldn’t be any more proud to be a part of it.

— Karin Aaron, President & CEO, Greater Newark Convention & Visitors Bureau

Lead sponsors and partners came together to kick-off the one-year countdown to the Games

N: A NTATIO TR A NSPLand the Opportunity

Download the 2020 Donate Life Transplant Games Toolkit!

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Mike & Lisa’s Story: Dancing Forward

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Bob’s Sto ry: Carrying On

Bob Williams was weeks away from going when the call on dialysis came that a new kidney him. The donor? was available Fellow Roxbury to who knew that resident Kim donation would Roumes, none other be an experien in its opportu ce like nity to give person. life to another Their journey began when Williams’ wife, posted a plea Kathleen, on Faceboo k in Novemb husband, a er Roxbury Scoutma 2018: Her ster and band dire need of a kidney donor. leader, was in Eight months later, in June 2019, Williams health and with donor —in great Roumes miles at NJ Sharing Network at his side—walked 3.1 ’s 5K Celebra “I’ve been tion of Life. feeling great ever since,” returned to says Williams work at NJ , who 101.5 about the transpla one month nt. after

life 12 years ago. Since Mike Strusiak received the gift of graduate college, then, he has seen his four daughters enjoy his five walked three of them down the aisle, And for all of grandchildren and recently got married. and celebrate his donor, that, he will be forever grateful to Kristen O’Hara.

active parent and an avid Fifteen years ago, Strusiak was an He remains required the removal infinitely grateful golfer. But a diagnosis of renal cancer for his good the generos fortune and of both kidneys and, ultimately, years of dialysis. ity of his friend Roumes. “I words,” he can’t put it says. into On September 12, 2007, he was Roumes insists and that fortunate enough to receive a kidney out to be among donating one of her kidneys he has the best things turned “Right from pancreas transplant. Since then, she’s done the beginnin with her life. sport he loves g, I never had the to she says. “I back way his found any hesitatio said I was going n,” to try to be if I was a match. is thankful for a rich life. a donor, to It all worked see and out that I was,” adding that in the Transplant the procedu she says, Strusiak is now 62 and has participated re was “a simple of Team Williams and process.”

Games of America since 2008. As co-manager Roumes now ballroom work basketball, and advocat together to Liberty, he has won medals in golf, e for kidney promote donors through victory comes a renewed media and dancing and bocce. And with each radio, TV, social events like the 5K. it all possible—Kristen. tribute to the person who has made The 2020 Donate Life Transpla a 19-year-old basketball His “angel,” as he refers to her, was an even bigger nt Games will give the platfor orial High School who passed away

He met and married the Strusiak’s story doesn’t end there: 2018. In recognition love of his life, Lisa Colasurdo, in July and Colasurdo of this new chapter in their lives, Strusiak Landscape of Life exchanged vows in NJ Sharing Network’s in attendance.

Meditation Garden with Kristen’s parents Sharing Network in The wedding was a fundraiser for NJ Games, the newly honor of Kristen. In the 2018 Transplant to the podium in the wedded couple foxtrotted their way pair will once again Ballroom Dancing Competition. The Games hosted right take the floor next summer at the 2020 here in New Jersey. for them to share Competing at the Games is a chance to remember those who great new moments together and to spotlight the have made it possible. It’s also a chance and tissue donors. need for more registered organ, eye to NJ in 2020 will “I hope the Transplant Games coming area and get people bring more awareness to the tri-state Strusiak says, “and, to register as organ and tissue donors,” as a result, save more lives.”

For more information and helpful tools to promote the Games please visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org

Stronger Together The Transplant Games of America are made possible by more than 3,000 volunteers who want to be a part of something special.

Whether you are signing up by yourself, with some friends, or with a larger group, we are bigger, better and stronger with your help!

All Hands on Deck!

WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO? There are so many ways you can help, from greeting and assisting our athletes to lending a hand during competitions and special events. Each volunteer shift is four hours long, and you can choose any open volunteer activity that you’d like.

HOW DO YOU SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER? Signing up is easy, just visit us at www.NJSharingNetwork.org/TGA to sign up online. The full list of positions and shifts will be determined this spring. Once positions are available, we’ll reach out to registered volunteers via email, and you can choose the dates, times, and roles that work best for you.

WHAT ABOUT SIGNING UP AS A GROUP? Many companies, work groups, or teams sign up to volunteer together. It’s a great team-building experience, and a great way for companies and organizations to support local causes.

If you’d like to sign up to volunteer as a group, or would like us to contact your employer about a group volunteer program, simply email us at transplantgames@njsharingnetwork.org

691 Central Avenue New Providence, NJ 07974 800-742-7365 • 908-516-5400 www.NJSharingNetwork.org

The Transplant Games of America are coming to New Jersey!

HONOR the JOURNEY • JULY 17-22, 2020

THANK YOU TO OUR LEAD PARTNERS!

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