STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Community advocate Tomas Cruz has a genetic liver disease and was recently diagnosed with a tumor that’s located between two main arteries.
It’s known as non-alcoholic fatty liver cirrhosis, a severe, late stage disease called MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), where ongoing inflammation causes extensive, permanent scarring (fibrosis) that replaces healthy liver tissue.
As a result Cruz’s liver function is impaired, potentially leading to liver failure and cancer.
At this time the West Brightonite is in dire need of a highly specialized surgical procedure.
An urgent search for a living donor has been implemented.
Cruz is being treated by Dr. Russell Rosenblatt, an assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan, who specializes in management of patients with liver diseases.
Dr. Rosenblatt is also the medical director of Living Donor Liver Transplantation.
In addition, the transplant team at NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP) encouraged the Cruz family to utilize social media to find a living donor, with a goal of completing the transplant within a three-month time frame.
Family members are actively seeking a donor to help save his life..
Tomas Cruz (Courtesy/family photo)Staten Island Advance
The liver’s unique ability to regenerate enables living donor transplantation, where a healthy person can donate up to 70 percent of their liver to someone with end-stage disease.
Following surgery, both the donor’s remaining liver and the transplanted portion grow back to full, functional size within two-too three months.
The process allows for lifesaving, elective procedures with improved outcomes.
Information on how to become a living donor for Cruz is being directed through nyp.org/livingdonorliver.
The transplant is needed within the next three months.
Tomas and Zulma Cruz, far left and far right, and their children. (Courtesy/family photo)Staten Island Advance
“If Tomas is placed on a donor list, the cancer will take it,s course which is dangerous,” explained his wife, Zulma, a 2018 Advance Woman of Achievement and Area Director of Community Initiatives of Project Hospitality. She has been recognized numerous times for her active community work on Staten Island and beyond.
“We can’t do too much,” she added. “We are begging people to become a potential donor. Tom’s sister was faced with the same situation and a 26-year-old girl basically saved her life. Her cancer was found at a later stage, but Tom’s situation is more dangerous right now.”
“The procedure isn’t like it used to be. It’s robotic. And if you are between 20 and 60 and haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease and have type O positive (O+) blood type, you are a prospect. We have been doing community work and spreading the word with friends and family members. Some people have registered and filled out an initial form.”
Tomas’ son was the first one to be called.
However, the family is exercising caution inasmuch as his condition is genetic. So it’s important that someone outside the family comes forward.
There are 15,000 patients waiting for a liver donor with 9,000 in New York City.
“We are posting on Instagram and Facebook and also on Tik Tok, and other social media,” said Zulma, who is director of Food Advocacy at Project Hospitality.
The Cruz family and their friends have mobilized across Staten Island, posting flyers, organizing information sessions, and sharing their story online to find a match. But they need help spreading the word — fast.
“Everyone feels our desperation. We are pretty desperate right now.”
The transplant will take place in NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where the procedure is performed robotically, allowing for a faster, less invasive recovery.
Potential donors can start by getting tested at NewYork-Presbyterian’s Living Donor Program (website: https://www.nyp.org/livingdonation).
Even if someone isn’t a direct match for Cruz, they can join the hospital’s swap program, where their generosity can still save his life.
MORE ABOUT CRUZ
A PhD. and an administrative director at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center/St. Vincent’s Hospital, Cruz is known professionally as Dr. Tomas Cruz.
The Cruz family in 2018. (Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons) Staff-Shot
Longtime West Brighton residents, who now call Scotch Plains home, Zulma and Tomas Cruz both work full time on Staten Island and are involved in a number of organizations on the local level.
Cruz has mentored college students his whole life and has even assisted them financially during the application process.
His brother Francisco Cruz was lost in the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Tomas and Zulma Cruz have been married for nearly 43 years, and are the parents of three children, two grandchildren. and two grandchildren.
The couple enjoys traveling to Europe and to Puerto Rico. And Tomas is especially fond of playing guitar, base and piano as a hobby.