2016 Mark Meade

MARK MEADE

Heart Recipient

Age 71 ~ Princeton Junction, NJ

Business Owner

Honored by njsharingnetwork.org

When Mark’s family received the call that there was a new heart for Mark, there was a mix of emotions.  Mark had survived numerous heart attacks, an emergency bypass surgery, was in end-stage congestive heart failure and had spent four months waiting for a heart.  However, when Mark received his gift of life, the Meades couldn’t help feeling that while they were at their highest; another family was at their lowest.  Mark and his wife of 50 years, Terry, have reached out to his donor family multiple times since and honor their donor in everything they do every day.  They are active advocates for donating and are trained volunteers for multiple donor programs.  Donors are their Heroes!

Mark’s Story

On June 4, 2008, then 64 year-old New Jersey resident Mark Meade received the “gift of life”, a new heart from an anonymous donor.  Mark had numerous heart attacks and emergency bypass surgery while visiting California in 2005, was in end-stage congestive heart failure and spent four months in Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia waiting for a heart. That amazing day when they got the call that there was a match was a mix of emotions.  While the Meade family was at their HIGHEST…another family was at their LOWEST.  They send update letters and cards through Gift of Life Family Support which are forwarded to the donor family.  There has been no reply but they hope one day to hear from them.  Mark and his wife of 50 years, Terry, honor their donor in everything they do…every day!  DONORS are their HEROES!!
Since transplant they are committed to raising awareness of the critical need for organ and tissue donation and give back for their miracle.  Mark and Terry are passionate advocates, trained, certified volunteers for NJ Sharing Network, Gift of Life Donor Program, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, New York Donor Program. They continually speak on behalf of these organizations on the transplant process from the perspective of recipient and caregiver.
Mark is alive to see their three grandsons become fine young men. When his beloved NY Giants were in the 2008 SUPERBOWL (Mark has had season tickets for 50 years) he was desperately ill at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in NJ.  Mark was six years post-heart transplant and they were able to be volunteers for the SUPERBOWL XLVIII Host Committee and be part of history.
Being selected to be a float rider at this year’s Rose Parade is the highest honor and another way to continue sharing their story and raise awareness.
The Meade’s know how lucky they are to have had this outcome….. many others are not as fortunate.  Please register to be an organ donor!  Without receiving the “ultimate gift”…none of this would be possible for the Meade family!