American Heart Month Story: The Gift of Life – New Providence’s Nicholas Tamburo Thrives Thanks to Lifesaving Heart Transplant
(New Providence, NJ) – As we recognize American Heart Month this February, Nicholas Tamburo, 70, of New Providence reflects on nearly 24 years since receiving the gift of a lifesaving heart transplant in July 2001.
Today, Nicholas, along with his wife Lynn, is living life to the fullest and eagerly preparing to celebrate their daughter Catherine’s upcoming wedding in June. Nicholas is also using this time to raise awareness for NJ Sharing Network about the critical importance of organ and tissue donation, urging others to register as organ and tissue donors.
“Receiving the gift of a heart from my organ donor hero was a turning point for me, and it has shaped the way I live every day,” said Nicholas. “I am forever grateful for the selfless donor who gave me this second chance. Now, it’s my mission to pay it forward by supporting the incredible work of NJ Sharing Network. The gift of organ and tissue donation is one that keeps on giving. You truly have the power to save and enhance lives."
Nicholas’ journey to receiving a heart transplant was filled with challenges. Diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at the age of 40, Nicholas faced years of heart failure. Despite living with the condition for seven years, he remained determined.
“I was healthy for much of my life before heart failure struck,” said Nicholas. “By the time I was diagnosed, my heart was too weak to function normally, and I had to rely on an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) to stay alive.”
Nicholas was placed on the heart transplant list. In July 2001, just weeks after being admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, a suitable donor heart became available.
“The call came just three weeks after I was put on the list,” said Nicholas. “It was a new beginning for me. I woke up after the transplant, and for the first time in years, I felt better.”
While the recovery process wasn’t without its hurdles, Nicholas was resilient. “It was a tough journey, but I’m grateful to my donor, a 26-year-old man, who gave me the opportunity to live a full life,” said Nicholas. “I often think about him, and I’ve tried to reach out to his family, though I haven’t received a response. It’s a true gift that I don’t take for granted.”
Nicholas has since gone on to experience life’s precious moments and milestones. “I’m incredibly grateful that I’ll be able to walk my daughter down the aisle. Without my donor and my transplant, I wouldn’t have had the chance to see her grow up or experience these special moments,” said Nicholas.
Nicholas is now a passionate advocate for NJ Sharing Network, and he uses his story to inspire others. “I encourage everyone to consider registering as an organ and tissue donor. I am living proof of the impact a donor can have. By registering, you’re giving someone like me the chance to live a full and meaningful life,” said Nicholas.
According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), over 100,000 Americans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, with nearly 4,000 of them in New Jersey. One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others. However, the opportunity to give the gift of life is extremely rare - not everyone who registers as a donor is able to donate after they pass away. In fact, less than 1% of all deaths meet the specific medical criteria to be an organ donor. This underscores the pressing need for more registered donors. To learn more, get involved, or join the National Donate Life Registry as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. One common cause of heart failure is cardiomyopathy, a disease that affects the heart muscle and, in severe cases, can lead to the need for a heart transplant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease accounts for nearly 700,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, with one person dying from cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds.
About NJ Sharing Network
NJ Sharing Network is a federally designated nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and enhancing lives through the recovery of donated organs and tissue. Headquartered in New Providence, NJ Sharing Network partners with 54 local hospitals to bring hope to those waiting for lifesaving transplants. With over three million New Jerseyans registered as organ and tissue donors, the organization has reported organ donation records for six consecutive years. NJ Sharing Network is consistently ranked among the top-performing organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the nation and was honored as NJBIZ’s 2024 Nonprofit Business of the Year. It has also been recognized as one of New Jersey’s ‘Best Places to Work’ for seven consecutive years, reflecting its commitment to fostering an innovative and mission-driven workplace.