Basking Ridge Man Celebrates Organ Transplant That Saved His Life

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — One New Jerseyan dies every three days waiting for a life-saving transplant, according to the NJ Sharing Network. About 15 years ago, Mike Strusiak found himself in need.

Strusiak, of Basking Ridge, led an active and seemingly healthy life. Then the father of four received a diagnosis for renal cancer, which required removing both kidneys and then years of dialysis. But Strusiak found a donor, and he can celebrate Sunday's National Organ Donor Day with his now-larger family.

Unfortunately, pancreas transplants must come from a deceased donor. In 2007, Strusiak found his "angel."

She was Kristen Theresa O’Hara, whose piercing, blue eyes could light up a room, according to her obituary. She played basketball for Jackson Memorial High School, and those close to her valued her sense of humor and sarcasm.

The 19-year-old got into an accident in 2007 but got to say goodbye with everyone she loved and cherished surrounding her. But she also made it possible for Strusiak to keep living.

Since Strusiak's successful transplant, he saw all four of his daughters graduate college, walked three of them down the aisle and now has six grandchildren with a seventh on the way.

He also met Lisa Colasurdo, the love of his life, whom he married in July 2018. They honored O'Hara by exchanging vows in the Landscape of Life Meditation Garden at NJ Sharing Network.

Currently, 110,000 Americans — including 4,000 in New Jersey — still await a life-saving transplant, according to the NJ Sharing Network. National Organ Donor Day is dedicated to offer opportunities and raise awareness for the importance of organ, eye and tissue donations.

New Jerseyans have three ways to register as organ donors:

• www.NJSharingNetwork.org
• through the iPhone Health app
• In-person at a Motor Vehicle Commission facility

“One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and restore health to over 75 people," said Joseph R. Roth, CEO of the NJ Sharing Network. "I am confident that everyone’s efforts on National Organ Donor Day will go a long way toward bringing hope to those currently waiting for a transplant.”

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