NJ Sharing Network Celebrates Black History Month and Highlights Inspiring Story of Hope of Transplant Recipient Muran Veniszee of North Brunswick

(NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) - NJ Sharing Network, the federally designated non-profit organization focused on saving and enhancing lives through the recovery of donated organs and tissue in the Garden State, proudly participates in Black History Month by sharing the uplifting story of Muran Veniszee, 42, a North Brunswick resident who is now enjoying life to its fullest thanks to his life-saving heart and liver transplant.

According to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents are waiting for a life-saving transplant, and 68% are people of color. One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 people.

“Our dedicated volunteers, like Muran Veniszee, along with our caring and compassionate team members and community partners, are unstoppable in their efforts to help educate others and dispel any myths and misinformation about organ and tissue donation in our diverse communities throughout New Jersey,” said Carolyn M. Welsh, President and CEO of NJ Sharing Network.

Muran Veniszee’s Story of Hope

Born in 1981, Muran Veniszee faced a life-threatening health crisis due to Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect commonly known as Blue Baby Syndrome. Muran underwent open-heart surgeries when he was three months old and six years old.

“I was told that I wouldn’t live past ten years old,” said Muran. “But I was pretty much fine throughout my high school years enjoying life with my loving family and friends. I even played basketball and soccer.”

Unfortunately, during Muran’s junior year at Bloomfield College, his health took a drastic turn for the worse, when he literally stopped breathing but was revived while being rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. In the years that followed, Muran’s health continued to deteriorate, ultimately leading to congestive heart failure. The only viable option to save Muran’s life was a heart and liver transplant.

On March 25, 2010, Muran’s successful transplant surgery helped begin his journey towards hope and healing. Since his transplant, Muran has lived life to its fullest and celebrated many accomplishments, including earning his bachelor’s degree in Allied Health and certification as a surgical technician. Muran also founded Hearts N Hand, a non-profit focused on offering education, inspiration, and hope, as well as emotional and physical support to those battling heart and liver diseases. He hosts and participates in a variety of podcasts, radio shows, and public and online forums to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

“This has been a humbling experience and I know that I am blessed to have overcome the odds. I am forever grateful for my organ donor and their family because none of this would be possible without them,” said Muran. “Now, I am doing what I can to pay it forward. We must educate others about how organ and tissue donation saves and enhances the lives of people of every race, ethnicity and age. My story is also a reminder that you never know what can happen - you can be healthy your entire life and then suddenly have that taken away.”

To learn more, get involved, and join the National Donate Life Registry as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.

About NJ Sharing Network

NJ Sharing Network, headquartered in New Providence, NJ, is the federally designated non-profit organization focused on saving and enhancing lives through the recovery of donated organs and tissue in the Garden State. NJ Sharing Network partners with an extensive network of 54 local hospitals to provide hope for the nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, and it is part of the national recovery system for the over 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list. For five consecutive years, NJ Sharing Network has reported organ donation records. NJ Sharing Network has also been recognized by NJBIZ for six consecutive years as one of the state’s ‘Best Places to Work.’ To learn more, get involved, and join the National Donate Life Registry as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.