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Tomas Cruz (Courtesy\/family photo)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\nSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Community advocate Tomas Cruz has a genetic liver disease and was recently diagnosed with a tumor that\u2019s located between two main arteries. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
As a result Cruz\u2019s liver function is impaired, potentially leading to liver failure and cancer. <\/p>\n
At this time the West Brightonite is in dire need of a highly specialized surgical procedure.<\/p>\n
An urgent search for a living donor has been implemented.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Dr. Rosenblatt is also the medical director of Living Donor Liver Transplantation.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Family members are actively seeking a donor to help save his life..<\/p>\n
Tomas Cruz (Courtesy\/family photo)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n
The liver\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n
Following surgery, both the donor\u2019s remaining liver and the transplanted portion grow back to full, functional size within two-too three months. <\/p>\n
The process allows for lifesaving, elective procedures with improved outcomes.<\/p>\n
Information on how to become a living donor for Cruz is being directed through nyp.org\/livingdonorliver. <\/p>\n
The transplant is needed within the next three months.<\/p>\n
![\"Tomas\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OE2HTPEC7NDS7L3IUNSF2BDE5I.JPG\")
Tomas and Zulma Cruz, far left and far right, and their children. (Courtesy\/family photo)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Tomas is placed on a donor list, the cancer will take it,s course which is dangerous,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t do too much,\u201d she added. \u201cWe are begging people to become a potential donor. Tom\u2019s 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\u2019s situation is more dangerous right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe procedure isn\u2019t like it used to be. It\u2019s robotic. And if you are between 20 and 60 and haven\u2019t 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.\u201d <\/p>\n
Tomas\u2019 son was the first one to be called. <\/p>\n
However, the family is exercising caution inasmuch as his condition is genetic. So it\u2019s important that someone outside the family comes forward.<\/p>\n
There are 15,000 patients waiting for a liver donor with 9,000 in New York City.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are posting on Instagram and Facebook and also on Tik Tok, and other social media,\u201d said Zulma, who is director of Food Advocacy at Project Hospitality.<\/p>\n
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 \u2014 fast.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone feels our desperation. We are pretty desperate right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
The transplant will take place in NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where the procedure is performed robotically, allowing for a faster, less invasive recovery. <\/p>\n
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The Cruz family in 2018. (Staten Island Advance\/Bill Lyons) Staff-Shot<\/p>\n