Having been a successful college athlete and never skipping a training day over the years, I continued entering road races and attempting to win my age group each weekend. Unfortunately, when I passed age 50 decades of running, karate, volleyball, soccer and working out wore out the cartilage in my knee. I had micro fracture surgery in 2010 to attempt to fix my knee. The knee improved for a short time, but I was back to the hospital. The fine doctors at University Orthopedic advised of a new FDA approved procedure and medical study. I volunteered for this medical study for knee cartilage repair. The knee doctor inserted a cadaver cartilage piece in left knee. The study was funded by Zimmer Pharmaceutical. I am now a recipient of an organ donation. I thank the family of the kind and generous donation of living tissue. I want the family and public to know their decision to donate has changed my life in a very positive way. I will never be winning the races again, but I am happy to run and bike daily. I am now able to run charity 5k races without pain. I urge friends to sign organ donor card and have a Living Will prepared. What is National Donate Life Month? Originally a week long observance, it was officially recognized as a month-long event. Th0e celebration commemorates those who have received or continue to wait for life-saving transplants and honors those who died while waiting. Who can be a donor? People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated.
Does my religion support organ and tissue donation? Every major religion in the United States supports organ and tissue donation as one of the highest expressions of compassion and generosity. Is there a cost to be an organ, eye and tissue donor? There is no cost to the donor’s family or estate for donation. The donor family pays only for medical expenses before death and costs associated with funeral arrangements. Does my social and/or financial status play any part in whether or not I will receive an organ if I ever need one? No. When you are on the transplant waiting list for a donor organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, body size, tissue type, blood type and other important medical information. Why should I register to be an organ and tissue donor? Organ and tissue transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive, and normal lives and return them to their families, friends and communities. To learn more or to register to become an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org. Also contact your attorney to have a Living Will/ Advance Directive prepared | 
