(MILLTOWN, NJ) – More than 12 years after receiving a liver transplant, Milltown resident James “Jim” Condon continues to give back by sharing his story and supporting NJ Sharing Network’s efforts to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation.
During National Liver Awareness Month in October, Jim hopes his experience will encourage others to take care of their liver health and consider leaving a lasting legacy by registering as organ and tissue donors. According to data from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), nearly 9,000 people nationwide are waiting for a liver transplant.
“My transplant gave me years of life that I came very close to not having, and I never lose sight of that,” said Jim. “I have been able to spend these years giving back through volunteering, enjoying time with my wife, Tara, and caring for our cats, and simply appreciating the everyday moments that can be easy to take for granted. Sharing my story through NJ Sharing Network gives me an opportunity to turn what happened to me into something that may help another person or family.”
Jim’s transplant journey began unexpectedly when, at age 44, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), now known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant.
With his wife, Tara, by his side, Jim endured several hospital stays as his liver continued to fail. On March 5, 2014, a donor liver became available, and he underwent transplant surgery at University Hospital in Newark.
At the time of his transplant, Jim was an attorney, lobbyist and adjunct professor at Rutgers University, with a career that also included international development work in the Middle East. In the years following his transplant, he retired and embraced new opportunities to volunteer and give back. In addition to his volunteer work with NJ Sharing Network, he served as President of the Rutgers Club. He and Tara have also made caring for their beloved cats a meaningful part of their lives and have fostered other cats.
A special part of that involvement is “Some Assembly Required,” Jim’s team at NJ Sharing Network’s annual 5K Celebration of Life. At the team’s first 5K, Jim was still recovering and not healthy enough to walk the course. Instead, he and his supporters sat near the finish line and cheered for participants as they passed. In the years since, Jim, Tara, family members, and friends have returned to walk together, rain or shine, alongside transplant recipients, donor families, and supporters.
“Our Some Assembly Required team started with a little humor during a very difficult time, but over the years it has come to mean much more to us,” said Jim. “Being able to come back year after year and walk with Tara, our family and friends is something I could not have imagined. Every 5K reminds me that behind every organ transplant is a donor, a family and a story that deserves to be remembered.”
Jim’s experience also inspired Tara to chronicle their journey in Some Assembly Required: A True Story of Love and Organ Transplants, which tells their story of illness, transplantation, recovery, and hope.
National Liver Awareness Month calls attention to an organ that performs more than 500 vital functions, including filtering toxins from the blood, supporting digestion, managing blood clotting, and storing energy. According to the American Liver Foundation, an estimated 100 million Americans are living with some form of liver disease, and many are unaware of their condition because symptoms may not appear until the disease has progressed.
Health experts encourage people to understand their risk factors and speak with their healthcare providers about liver health, prevention, and early detection. Many liver diseases can be prevented or, particularly in their earlier stages, improved through healthy lifestyle changes and appropriate medical care.
For Jim, those statistics carry added meaning because he knows firsthand what it means to need a transplant.
“When I was at my sickest, my future was measured in days rather than years. Then someone I never knew made a generous decision that changed everything for me,” said Jim. “More than 12 years later, I am still here, living a full life and incredibly thankful for my organ donor and donor family. If telling my story helps someone think about their liver health, understand organ and tissue donation or make the decision to register as a donor, then I am grateful for the opportunity to share it.”
According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), more than 100,000 Americans – including more than 3,000 New Jerseyans – are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, while one tissue donor can enhance the lives of more than 75 people. To learn more or to register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
PHOTO 1 – James Condon of Milltown, NJ (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)
PHOTO 2 – Tara and James Condon of Milltown, NJ (Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)