Transplant Games Golf Champion Thankful For Second Chance At Life

Mike Strusiak, who grew up playing Bergen County’s public courses including Darlington and Overpeck, has always been a good golfer. But he never thought golf would help lead him into becoming a spokesman for the New Jersey Sharing Network, the state's organ procurement agency.

Strusiak, six years ago in failing health with renal cancer, was fortunate enough to become a recipient of a kidney and pancreas transplant. Since then, he has made it all the way back to enjoy the sport he loves and has plenty to be thankful for.

In 2012, Strusiak, the 1992 Bergen Open champion, won the over-50 golf division of the Transplant Games of America in Grand Rapids, Mich., after also winning the event in 2010 in Madison, Wisc.

The biennial Transplant Games bring transplant and donor families together for competition of organ transplant recipients and living donors. Being a two-time golf champion helps Strusiak drive home his points when he speaks to the multitudes wherever and whenever he can about organ donations.

Strusiak, a 56-year-old father of four, dedicated his victories to the late Kristen Theresa O’Hara of Jackson, N.J., a 19-year-old former basketball player at Jackson Memorial High School who died in a motor vehicle accident.

Strusiak, then a diabetic who had both kidneys removed, received his new kidney/pancreas on Sept. 12, 2007. He is no longer a diabetic.

“I’m just trying to get the word out about being a donor. New Jersey ranks in the bottom four in the nation when it comes to donors. People should know that only one percent of those who sign up become actual donors. I try to give back as much as I can,” he said.

“Mike Strusiak is 24/7 promoting organ and tissue donation. He continues to forge new partnerships and thinking of ideas and ways we can promote the foundation,” said Elisse Glennon, the executive director of N.J. Sharing Network Foundation.

“He touches everyone he speaks with. Mike is highly respected throughout the transplant community. He never forgets the gift he has been given and takes every opportunity to honor Kristen O’Hara and that’s what it’s all about.”

Nearly 5,000 New Jerseyans and 110,000 Americans are currently waiting for life-saving organs. The foundation's mission to increase awareness, provide public education and fund research programs to increase the number of lives saved and enhanced through organ and tissue donation.

“Honoring a donor’s final act of kindness, which ultimately saves lives, is a driving force for us at NJ Sharing Network,” Glennon said.

Before regaining his winning golf stroke, however, Strusiak had to learn to play with a fistula in his right arm. The arteriovenous fistula was formed between an artery and vein in his arm in conjunction for his need of renal dialysis.

“I had to learn to play all over again,” Strusiak, a resident of West Milford, remembers.

Now, that he is well recovered and back to work at his job as a salesman for Schripps european bread , he cannot devote enough time to helping the N.J. Sharing Network.

Strusiak believes golf played a huge role in keeping him going.

“Golf kept me alive. I kept looking forward to playing. The main thing about golf for me is that it kept me in good shape. All of the walking. To me, that’s the best thing about golf,” said Strusiak, who attended Neumann Prep in Wayne and Delaware Valley College in Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the golf team.

“I never have a bad day on the golf course. I’m alive. I’m on the other side of the grass. I’m not looking at the roots,” he joked.

Executive director Glennon oversees the foundation’s annual golf and tennis outing. It was held this year at Baltusrol Golf Club and netted the foundation $104,000. The previous year, it was conducted at Plainfield Country Club. The public is invited to participate in the outing.

Glennon also oversees the foundation’s 5K Walk/Run in which 10,000 people participate by starting at the N.J. Sharing Network’s home facility in New Providence and continuing through the town. The event has raised more than $1 million over the past two years.

Strusiak has his medals attached to Kristen’s donor square on a memorial quilt housed at the N.J. Sharing Network offices.

“I can’t express the feelings of appreciation and camaraderie that I have experienced during my participation in the games,” he said.

Strusiak’s ties to the foundation run deep. His daughter, Katie, is a hospital services manager at the N.J. Sharing Network.

“I didn’t know Mike before he received his transplant, but I understand he was full of life. The transplant from Kristen gave him a new lease on life. His participation in the Transplant Games shows you can get your full life back and compete in athletics,” Glennon said.

“Mike speaks for us in hospitals, high schools, colleges and community centers. He is one of our most powerful speakers. He’s invaluable to us.”

Those wishing to participate in the 2014 golf and tennis outing at Baltusrol, contribute, volunteer or become a donor can visit the website https://www.njsharingnetwork.org/