Over the last two years I have faced the most serious health challenge of my life. In January 2024, I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease and would need hemodialysis three times per week. A crisis like this affected everyone in my immediate and extended family circle. The resulting “network” support, combined with the outstanding healthcare that I received, surely helped in ensuring the most positive outcome. This past Thanksgiving morning Dr. Samuel Sultan and the transplant team operated, and I received a new kidney from the Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center Division of Organ Transplantation. My entire family will be forever thankful to the entire team led by Drs. Michael Goldstein, Michael Fruscione, Dr. Sultan, the nephrologists, other specialists, nurses, social workers and aides who provided me with magnificent care.
I was extremely fortunate. The resources needed for me to receive this life-saving care were there. Sadly, this is not the case for everyone.
I am now committed to doing whatever I can to ensure we reduce obstacles to these services. This includes the extremely high cost of life saving medications and follow-up care.
It has been only a few short weeks, but I feel better every day. Thankfully, my new kidney is not the only thing my family is celebrating this holiday season. Later this month I will celebrate my 70th birthday and early in 2026 our first grandchild will be born. Please help us ensure that others in need of the care offered by Hackensack University Medical Center will also have future celebrations.
Please join me in supporting this program by contributing now. Also consider signing up as an organ donor. Mark my words, you will make others very thankful too.
Happy Holiday’s and most important a happy healthy 2026 to everyone.
Steve Schneider