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Lea O’Shea, 59, is taking time to reflect on the gift of life and the miracle of organ and tissue donation and transplantation as she celebrates five years since her life-saving liver transplant. With her health and strength now restored, Lea is living each day to its fullest by hiking, jogging, traveling, and enjoying precious moments with her family and friends. “I now live in a constant state of gratitude for the gift that saved my life,” said Lea. “I know for my organ donor’s family, my second chance at life was a tragic time for them as they lost their loved one. I will never know the pain they endured and the brave decision they made. I am forever grateful for my donor hero.” Lea has also made it a priority to support NJ Sharing Network, the nonprofit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue in the Garden State. By sharing her story with others, Lea hopes to encourage more people to register as organ and tissue donors. “One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others,” said Lea. Currently, there are over 100,000 Americans – nearly 4,000 of whom live in New Jersey – waiting for a life-saving transplant, according to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). However, the generosity of those in the Garden State is providing hope for the future. Organ and tissue donor registrations in the Garden State continue to increase thanks to strong community education and outreach efforts and simplified ways to register. New Jersey donor registration jumped 8.3% in 2021. New Jerseyans can register in any of the following options: • Online at www.NJSharingNetwork.org/register/ • Through the iPhone Health App • In person at your local Motor Vehicle Agency Lea’s Transplant Journey (The following was written by Lea O’Shea) The call for my transplant came at 2 a.m. on December 23, 2016. A liver with my blood type was available in Alabama from a 51-year-old man who died from a stroke. I was born with polycystic kidney disease inherited from my mom’s side of the family. I was diagnosed in my early 20’s and have been lucky in that my kidneys are still functioning well to this day. Sometime in my 40’s, it was discovered that I also had polycystic liver disease and watched my liver grow over the years. By my mid-50’s, my liver had grown so large that I was becoming malnourished due to the liver pressing against and shrinking my stomach. My health declined rapidly, and I was added to the liver transplant waiting list. To say I had the support of family and friends is an understatement. My family directly contributed to my survival during this stage. My parents drove me to every medical appointment, which was not an easy task, uplifted me every day and literally helped me stand when I could not. There were meals from friends, daily phone calls from my siblings, Maureen and Andy, and loving care from my two boys, Conor and Tim. Love was everywhere! I owe so much to my community of prayer. I am keenly aware that I am luckier than most. Having a rare blood type, my donor arrived into my life only a few months after I was on the list. After my transplant, I participated in the Sharing Network Foundation’s 5K Celebration of Life in New Providence. I was in tears from the start seeing all the signs that people were holding as they cheered along the sidelines of the 5K path. Many of them were people waiting for life-saving organ transplants.