NYU Medical Center's Press Release About Shari

Highly Publicized Transplant Patient Leaves NYU Medical Center
After Successful Liver Transplant

New York, August 25, 2005 – Shari Kurzrok, whose plight became symbolic of the need for organ donation, left NYU Medical Center recently after a successful liver transplant. Shari, 31, who was in good health at the time, collapsed suddenly with unexplained liver failure. After a tension-filled wait of nearly three weeks, she received a transplant through the standard operation of the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) matching system, which is operated by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Dr. Lewis Teperman, Shari’s Transplant Surgeon and Director of Transplantation at NYU Medical Center, believes, “The hardest part of the transplant is not the surgery but waiting for a donor.  Shari is extremely fortunate.  She received a liver via the UNOS managed system and in the nick of time.  Unfortunately, there are almost 700 patients just at NYU, waiting for a liver. 

Mobilized by the severity of the organ donor crisis, the family has started the Shari Kurzrok Second Chance for Life Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to raise awareness and to educate the public on the dire need for organ donation in our country. This is not Kurzrok’s first public awareness campaign. Two years ago Shari, a vice president at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, led the publicity campaign for the Red Cross’ largest-ever blood donor campaign, the Save A Life Tour. She hopes the Foundation will have the same success. For more information on the Foundation go to liverforalife.com.

“I want to thank everyone for their good wishes, prayers and efforts. Most especially, I am forever grateful to the donor’s family for this amazing gift,” said Shari Kurzrok. “I realize how fortunate I am to have a second chance at life and I plan to help others get their second chances as well.

Contact:
Pamela McDonnell
Director, Media Relations
NYU Medical Center Public Affairs
212-404-3555
Email: Pamela.McDonnell@nyumc.org

Comments

[Robert Lee]

This is very encouraging. I just found out this week that my sister, Michele Lee is in ICU Transplant due to her liver failure. This was quite a surprise to the family. I am praying for results like Shari's.