'There Is Hope': NJ Duo Overcomes Deadly Diagnoses, Represents Garden State On National Stage

DENVER — An attorney from Mount Laurel won against his own case of self-doubt after he recently represented New Jersey and the Northeast in the "Transplant Games of America."

The bi-annual competition highlights organ donors, recipients, and raises awareness around diseases that claim lives across the country every day.

Mike Logue, 57, received a liver transplant in 2025 at Camden's Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

As part of his recovery journey, he made the trip to Denver from June 18 through June 23 alongside another New Jerseyan, Meredith Borrelli, 54, of South Orange, and more than 3,000 other transplant recipients nationwide.

"It was very inspiring to see the people competing and doing very well, who'd had the same transplant I had, who were 25, 30, or 40 years post-transplant," Meredith told Patch. "It definitely gave us a feeling of 'look what you're going to be able to do' in the future. I may be tired now, but I have hope that I'll continue to feel better and better."

The events included more than 20 competitions and 60 other initiatives, such as lectures and workshops.

Mike and Meredith were part of Team Liberty, a group that represented New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, and contributed to a Guinness World Record for the most transplant recipients and living donors in one place at one time (966).

They both received liver transplants in May 2025 and later connected through a Facebook group for patients and supporters.

"During your darkest times, when you don't think you have a future, there is a future and there is hope," Mike told Patch. "Don't give up...going to the Games is one way to do that. You will be what we call a 'transplant warrior.'"

While they finished towards the middle of the pack in events like trivia, cornhole, and bowling, it's how they were able to overcome the struggles that got them there that stands as the true prize.

The road for both members of Team Liberty involved heavy alcohol use.

"Our goal is to make sure our patients know this isn't something they did to themselves," said Dr. Hisham ElGenaidi. "Alcoholism, drug addiction, and obesity are diseases."

Following her father's death and her mother's home being destroyed by a tornado, Meredith turned to alcohol.

After noticing that the whites of her eyes had a yellow tint to them and dealing with abdomen pain, her doctor told her to go to the emergency room at a hospital in North Jersey.

Her end-stage liver disease gave her about two months to live.

"My immediate reaction was to be in denial...I focused on my faith and that I'd be ok. I also focused on really listening to my doctors...I thought, death isn't an option. I'd dig deep and do whatever I had to do," said Meredith.

She was transferred to Virtua and received a new liver in 32 days.

Mike relied on ten years of heavy drinking to get himself through car accident injuries, stress stemming from work, and isolation issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He became critically ill with liver disease in 2025, "was bed-bound and ready to give up," he said.

Mike credits the staff at Virtua with keeping him going for five months until he received his new liver.

He now volunteers for the NJ Sharing Network and the New Jersey Air Victory Museum.

Mike is also an avid hiker around South Jersey and said Black Run Preserve in Marlton is his absolute favorite.

"It's a little piece of heaven within South Jersey's busy suburban landscape," he said. "There, you can be in the woods with nature, at peace."

The feeling of peace is something both Mike and Meredith found easy, they said, through the support of the team at Virtua.

"Look to me and Meredith," Mike said. "We're ordinary people who can do extraordinary things with courage and hope."

The two friends want their stories to go well beyond their immediate circles and resonate with anyone who may feel lost.

"I want to send a message of hope to others who need a transplant...that there's a community out here of people who've been in your shoes and have gotten through it...no matter what the road ahead looks like, you can get through it," said Meredith.

She is now working to rebuild her stamina and continues to practice as a provider of "Reiki" and sound healing (alternative-medicine).

"I've been very lucky," said Meredith. "Every moment feels like a gift, even if I'm dealing with medication side-effects."

In Spring 2026, she was able to meet her donor's family for the first time.

"It was incredibly emotional," Meredith said. "We're like family now. They said, 'You carry around a piece of our daughter.'"

Meredith's donor was also able to save four other people's lives, she added.

"It doesn't matter what you do, just that you become involved," Mike added on how everyday people can help others. "Donate to a blood drive or volunteer at a charity kitchen. Despite what they've been through, people came to the Games to celebrate, live life to the fullest, and commemorate this path in life that we've been chosen to travel."

More than 100,000 people are currently waiting for an organ in the United States, Virtua said, with 9,000 of those needing a liver.

According to organdonor.gov, around 13 people die each day while waiting for an organ.

Virtua is one of only two hospitals in the state that conduct liver transplants.

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